Development of the complex trauma screener: A brief measure of ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD.

The purpose of this study was to develop the Complex Trauma Screener (CTS), a brief screener (seven items) of the ICD-11 trauma disorders that can be used in "quick-paced" facilities. We examined the factor structure of the CTS in two separate samples: civilian college students (N = 823) and military veterans (N = 130) who reported exposure to at least one traumatic event. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) supported two highly-correlated factors (post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and Disturbances in Self-Organization [DSO]) that loaded on the ICD-11-consistent items. The model fit indices indicated good to excellent model fit in both samples, and the internal consistencies for the scales were borderline to good (α = 0.68-0.86). Supplementary analyses supported the gender invariance of the CFA model in the civilian student sample, as well as convergent (with another trauma inventory) and discriminant validity (with borderline disorder features, depression, and mania) of the CTS in both samples. The CTS is, to our knowledge, the shortest instrument designed to measure the ICD-11 trauma disorders and is ideal for "fast-paced" facilities that have significant assessment time restraints. The CTS is, therefore, is a psychometrically-validated instrument that can help mental health professionals efficiently screen adults for ICD-11 trauma disorders.

Mechanisms supporting aminoadenine-based viral DNA genomes.

Bacteriophage genomes are the richest source of modified nucleobases of any life form. Of these, 2,6 diaminopurine, which pairs with thymine by forming three hydrogen bonds violates Watson and Crick's base pairing. 2,6 diaminopurine initially found in the cyanophage S-2L is more widespread than expected and has also been detected in phage infecting Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The biosynthetic pathway for aminoadenine containing DNA as well as the exclusion of adenine are now elucidated. This example of a natural deviation from the genetic code represents only one of the possibilities explored by nature and provides a proof of concept for the synthetic biology of non-canonical nucleic acids.

Should We Be Concerned About Asymptomatic Adnexal Masses in Female Kidney and Liver Graft Recipients?

BACKGROUND: Pathological changes of uterine adnexa are frequently encountered in patients after solid-organ transplantation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of malignancies among recipients operated with the diagnosis of adnexal tumor with or without clinical symptoms. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 146 solid-organ recipients who underwent surgery in the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, in the years 2000 to 2014. Among them, we identified 80 patients of mean age 40.9 ± 11.1 years with suspected adnexal tumor. Data on symptoms reported by patients were compared with the results of histopathological examination after surgical treatment. RESULTS: Kidney recipients were 76.2% of the group studied (including 5 women after kidney and pancreas transplantation); the remaining 23.75% of patients were liver recipients (including 1 kidney and liver). The majority of patients (71.25%) reported no clinical symptoms. The remaining 28.75% of patients had clinical complaints, with the most common symptom being abdominal pain (in 60% of patients). Analysis of the results of histopathological examination revealed that in both groups, the most often encountered pathological findings were serous cystadenoma (33.3% and 47% of patients, respectively), endometrial cysts (24.6% and 21.7%, respectively), and functional cysts (22.8% and 17.3%, respectively). None of the asymptomatic patients were diagnosed as malignant, whereas 2 cases (both ovarian and fallopian tube cancer) were diagnosed among women who reported clinical symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Observations of patients after organ transplantation indicate a recurring nature of adnexal changes, resulting in qualification for surgical treatment. The survey results suggest that solid-organ recipients with pathology in the uterine adnexa, with non-suspicious ultrasound image and not reporting clinical symptoms, could safely be subjected to clinical observation providing strict supervision.

Refractive index determination by coherence scanning interferometry.

Coherence scanning interferometry is established as a powerful noncontact, three-dimensional, metrology technique used to determine accurate surface roughness and topography measurements with subnanometer precision. The helical complex field (HCF) function is a topographically defined helix modulated by the electrical field reflectance, originally developed for the measurement of thin films. An approach to extend the capability of the HCF function to determine the spectral refractive index of a substrate or absorbing film has recently been proposed. In this paper, we confirm this new capability, demonstrating it on surfaces of silicon, gold, and a gold/palladium alloy using silica and zirconia oxide thin films. These refractive index dispersion measurements show good agreement with those obtained by spectroscopic ellipsometry.

Ethenoguanines undergo glycosylation by nucleoside 2'-deoxyribosyltransferases at non-natural sites.

Deoxyribosyl transferases and functionally related purine nucleoside phosphorylases are used extensively for synthesis of non-natural deoxynucleosides as pharmaceuticals or standards for characterizing and quantitating DNA adducts. Hence exploring the conformational tolerance of the active sites of these enzymes is of considerable practical interest. We have determined the crystal structure at 2.1 Å resolution of Lactobacillus helveticus purine deoxyribosyl transferase (PDT) with the tricyclic purine 8,9-dihydro-9-oxoimidazo[2,1-b]purine (N2,3-ethenoguanine) at the active site. The active site electron density map was compatible with four orientations, two consistent with sites for deoxyribosylation and two appearing to be unproductive. In accord with the crystal structure, Lactobacillus helveticus PDT glycosylates the 8,9-dihydro-9-oxoimidazo[2,1-b]purine at N7 and N1, with a marked preference for N7. The activity of Lactobacillus helveticus PDT was compared with that of the nucleoside 2'-deoxyribosyltransferase enzymes (DRT Type II) from Lactobacillus leichmannii and Lactobacillus fermentum, which were somewhat more effective in the deoxyribosylation than Lactobacillus helveticus PDT, glycosylating the substrate with product profiles dependent on the pH of the incubation. The purine nucleoside phosphorylase of Escherichia coli, also commonly used in ribosylation of non-natural bases, was an order of magnitude less efficient than the transferase enzymes. Modeling based on published active-site structures as templates suggests that in all cases, an active site Phe is critical in orienting the molecular plane of the purine derivative. Adventitious hydrogen bonding with additional active site residues appears to result in presentation of multiple nucleophilic sites on the periphery of the acceptor base for ribosylation to give a distribution of nucleosides. Chemical glycosylation of O9-benzylated 8,9-dihydro-9-oxoimidazo[2,1-b]purine also resulted in N7 and N1 ribosylation. Absent from the enzymatic and chemical glycosylations is the natural pattern of N3 ribosylation, verified by comparison of spectroscopic and chromatographic properties with an authentic standard synthesized by an unambiguous route.

Influence of chemical elements on mammalian spermatozoa.

Exposure to heavy metals is the most important risk factor in the assessment of spermatogenesis. About 30-40 % cases of infertility are caused by the male factor, and most of them are due to the small quantity of spermatozoa or to inferior spermatozoa quality. The negative impact on sperm motility, morphology and concentration of such chemical elements as Al, Cr, Cd, Pb or Fe was observed, while positive influence was noticed for Zn, Mg, and Ca. The influence of Mn, Cu, Ni or Se on spermatozoa is ambiguous. Chemical elements known as necessary for capacitation and acrosome reaction are Zn, Mg and Ca, while Cd and Pb disturb initiation and progress of the acrosome reaction. The positive effect of chemical elements Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn, lies in their protection against oxidative stress. On the other hand, Al, Cu and Ni induce structural changes in the testes and epididymis or influence interactions with other chemical elements.

Characterization of vaginal lactobacilli in women after kidney transplantation.

Limited number of publications described vaginal microflora after kidney transplantation. Our PubMed search revealed only 18 publications including words "vaginal bacteria & kidney transplant" in the period of 1978-2011. The aim of this study was to characterize lactobacilli isolated from vaginal swabs of women after kidney transplantation, compared with healthy women. Eighteen renal transplant recipients (mean age 36.1) and 20 healthy women (mean age 36.0) were evaluated. Lactobacilli were cultured on MRS and Columbia blood agars. Biochemical identification with API 50 CHL (bioMerieux, Marcy L'Etoile, France) and multiplex PCR according to Song et al. was performed. Lactobacilli were tested for production of H(2)O(2). Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of selected antimicrobial agents were determined with E-tests (bioMerieux, Marcy L'Etoile, France) and interpreted with CLSI and EUCAST criteria. No bacterial vaginosis was found among studied women. Two strains of group I were identified as Lactobacillus delbrueckii; 18 strains as Lactobacillus gasseri and 15 strains as Lactobacillus crispatus. Only 3 strains from group II were not identified by species-specific mPCR. Group IV was represented with 2 unidentified strains. Vaginal lactobacilli isolated from healthy women represented more homogenous group compared with heterogenous renal transplant recipients. Biochemical identification of lactobacilli by API 50 CHL kits was concordant with mPCR results only in 7 cases (17.5%), all 7 strains were identified as L. crispatus. Majority (93%) of lactobacilli were H(2)O(2) producers. All isolated lactobacilli (100%) demonstrated high resistance to metronidazole (MIC > 256 µg/ml). Only 2 strains resistant to vancomycin (MICs: 32 and 256 µg/ml respectively), in the study and control group, and one to moxifloxacin (MIC = 32 µg/ml), were found. Resistance to metronidazole and vancomycin was concordant in CLSI and EUCAST (2010) criteria. Although significant differences between lactobacilli isolated from vaginas of kidney transplant and healthy women were not demonstrated, we demonstrated strains resistant to metronidazole, vancomycin and moxifloxacin in groups of examined women. Our study was performed on a small group of kidney transplant recipients and further more detailed molecular studies on a larger group of patients are required to confirm our results.

Multiple types of high-risk human papilloma virus in the lower genital tract of a female kidney recipient: a case report.

We present a case of a female kidney recipient who was infected with 3 types of high-risk human papilloma viruses. An infection in the lower genital tract led to the development of both neoplastic cervical lesions and vulvar cancer.

Marker-assisted selection of diploid and tetraploid potatoes carrying Rpi-phu1, a major gene for resistance to Phytophthora infestans.

The Rpi-phu1 gene originates from an interspecific hybrid between Solanum stenotomum and S. phureja, and confers a high level of resistance to Phytophthora infestans (late blight) in potato. The Rpi-phu1 was introduced by crossing at the diploid level into the S. tuberosum gene pool and then transferred to the tetraploid level by means of 2n gametes. Tetraploid lines carrying the Rpi-phu1 were selected for further crosses. A molecular marker GP94, linked in mapping population 97-30 with the Rpi-phu1 (6.4 cM), was applied to other unselected populations (2 diploid and 1 tetraploid), and was shown to be useful in marker-assisted selection (MAS) of the resistant individuals. GP94 was applied also in commercial breeding in 2 tetraploid populations. Although the marker allele of GP94, characteristic for the Rpi-phu1 presence, was rare in the S. tuberosum gene pool, it seemed to be common in 2 other sources of resistance to late blight: S. ruiz-ceballosii and S. kurtzianum.

Structural characterization of the mammalian deoxynucleotide N-hydrolase Rcl and its stabilizing interactions with two inhibitors.

The gene Rcl encodes a deoxynucleoside 5'-monophosphate N-glycosidase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the N-glycosidic bond of the nucleotide to give deoxyribose 5-phosphate and a nucleobase, preferentially a purine. This enzyme is over-expressed in several cancers, and its rate of expression is correlated to the degree of aggressiveness of tumors, which makes it a new and attractive therapeutic target. We describe here its structural characterization in the presence of two inhibitory substrate mimics. One of these ligands corresponds to the monophosphorylated form of acyclovir, which is used in the clinic. This study reveals an important ligand-induced stabilization of the dimer structure of the enzyme. The original structural features of Rcl will be helpful for designing new inhibitors.

Menstrual function in female liver transplant recipients of reproductive age.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: End-stage liver failure is associated with severe abnormalities in menstrual and reproductive function. These abnormalities may be reversed by successful orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The aim of the study was to investigate menstrual patterns and sex hormone profiles among female liver transplant recipients of reproductive age. METHODS: The study group consisted of 24 women of reproductive age with end-stage liver failure who underwent successful OLT. Menstrual patterns and sex hormone profiles were analyzed before as well as 3 and 12 months after OLT. Twenty-seven healthy women of reproductive age served as controls. Biochemical parameters of liver function were assessed before and after OLT. RESULTS: Amenorrhea was the most commonly observed abnormality of menstrual cycle in women with end-stage liver failure (71% of patients). The recurrence of regular menstrual cycles was observed in 35% of patients 3 months after OLT. The percentage increased to 70% at 1 year after grafting and was clearly associated with stabilization of liver function. Similar levels of follicle stimulation hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactine (PRL), and testosterone (T) as well as lower levels of estradiol (E(2)), dehydroepiandrostendione sulphate (DHEA-S), and progesterone, (P) were observed in patients with liver failure compared with healthy women. We observed normalization of E(2) and DHEA-S levels after OLT. CONCLUSIONS: Amenorrhea, the most common menstrual disturbance in women with end-stage liver failure, may be reversed by OLT. One year after OLT menstrual bleedings were noted in 74% of patients of reproductive age. The recurrence of reproductive function indicated the need for effective and safe family planning methods in that group of patients.

Characterization of defect levels in semi-insulating 6H-SiC by means of photoinduced transient spectroscopy and modulated photocurrent technique.

Parameters of electrically active defect centres in vanadium-doped 6H silicon carbide (6H-SiC:V) were investigated by means of the photoinduced transient spectroscopy (PITS) and modulated photocurrent (MPC) method. After a short description of the two techniques, experimental results are presented and briefly compared. Our aim is mainly to understand and explain these experimental results. In particular, in the PITS technique a shallow level seems to be at the origin of negative photoconductivity. Besides, in the same temperature range hole and electron levels can be detected at the same time. Finally, the detection of a given level seems to depend on the photon flux used to perform the PITS experiment. As far as the MPC experiment is concerned, it has put into evidence a very efficient shallow level. A numerical calculation was developed to simulate both experiments in order to understand the experimental results. By means of this simulation, we have explained all the phenomena observed experimentally in each technique and we propose a simple model for the distribution of electrically active defect centres in 6H-SiC:V crystals.

Operative treatment of endometrial hyperplasia in kidney graft recipients: report of seven cases.

OBJECTIVES: The high rate of abnormal uterine bleeding associated with endometrial hyperplasia has been observed in women after kidney transplantation. The great majority of these premalignant lesions regress after conservative treatment, mostly with progestagens. There are cases, however, of persistent or recurrent hyperplasia requiring operative treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report seven cases of endometrial hyperplasia in kidney graft recipients treated with hysterectomy after failure of conservative treatment. The presence of typical risk factors of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer were analyzed as well as their clinical courses and treatment methods. RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 35 to 50 years (mean, 42.7). Among typical risk factors, we observed obesity, diabetes, arterial hypertension, and nulliparity in the study group. All patients reported abnormal uterine bleeding and developed anemia. Women underwent two to four dilatation and curettage procedures. Progestagens (medroxyprogesterone or lynesterol) were administered for 3 to 9 months. The initial treatment was ineffective in two cases; in the remaining five cases endometrial hyperplasia recurred within 3 to 12 months. Pathologic findings after hysterectomy in all patients confirmed non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: Hysterectomy is the treatment of last resort for premalignant endometrial lesions. It should be considered in all cases of recurrent or persistent endometrial hyperplasia. It may protect immunocompromised kidney graft recipients from heavy bleeding, severe anemia, and most of all, the of endometrial cancer development.

Oral and transdermal hormonal contraception in women after kidney transplantation.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the safety of low-dose oral or transdermal hormonal contraception in kidney recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six kidney recipients, aged 18 to 44 years (mean, 31.0) took low-dose contraceptive pills, and 10 kidney recipients, aged 22 to 36 years (mean, 31.4) used transdermal contraceptive systems. Contraception was administered for a period not shorter than 18 months. At the onset of therapy all patients showed stable graft function. The main indication for therapy was effective contraception. Additional indications were mild ovarian cysts and irregular or profuse menstruations. The pills consisted of 20 to 35 microg of etinyl estradiol and generation III progestogen. The contraceptive patch released 20 microg of etinyl estradiol and 150 microg of norelgesromin daily. RESULTS: No case of pregnancy was noted. Oral contraception was discontinued in two cases, in one case due to profound thrombophlebitis of the lower extremity and in the other case deterioration of liver function. No other side effects or symptoms of intolerance were reported. Hormonal contraception did not significantly influence body mass index, mean blood pressure, serum creatinine, or other biochemical parameters. CONCLUSION: Despite the presence of relative contraindications, mainly arterial hypertension and impaired liver function, hormonal contraception should be considered in female kidney recipients to be a highly effective contraceptive method that additionally regulates menstrual bleeding, protects from development of mild ovarian cysts and seems to positively influence women's well-being. The transdermal mode of administration may diminish the chance for drug interactions and therefore be safer for patients.

Mode of delivery in women after liver transplantation.

AIM: A high rate of cesarean sections has been reported among high-risk pregnancies in liver transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to analyze the course of deliveries and the indications for cesarean sections in women after liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2001 to 2006, we noted 21 deliveries in 17 liver recipients. The mean age of women was 27.9 +/- 6.6 years and the mean time from transplantation to pregnancy was 4.3 +/- 3.6 years. Most patients were primigravidas on tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimens. We retrospectively analyzed obstetric data regarding the delivery and the early puerperium. RESULTS: We noted 6 vaginal deliveries (29%) and 15 cesarean sections (71%). Mean gestational age in the group of vaginal deliveries was 37.6 +/- 2.2 weeks. No labor complications were noted. All neonates were delivered in a good state (Apgar score from 8 to 10 points) with mean birth weight of 2725 g. All cesarean sections were performed for obstetric indications: fetal distress, breech presentation, intrauterine growth retardation, or complications related to premature labor. Mean gestational age was 37.0 +/- 1.9 weeks. The Apgar scores ranged from 4 to 10 points; mean birth weight was 2787 g. The mean period of hospitalization after surgical labor was 4 days longer compared with the vaginal delivery group. CONCLUSION: The high rate of cesarean sections (71%) in liver recipients is associated with a great incidence of obstetric complications of pregnancy. Safe and uneventful vaginal delivery is possible with growing experience in the management of pregnant transplanted women.

Low-dose hormonal contraception after liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: End-stage liver failure is associated with extremely reduced fertility. After liver transplantation, restoration of menstrual function is observed; thus effective contraceptive methods should be employed in patients who do not plan to conceive. The aim of this study was to assess tolerability and safety of hormonal contraceptives in female liver transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data on 15 female liver graft recipients, aged 24 to 35 years, who used hormonal contraceptives after liver transplantation for a time not shorter than 12 months. The period from grafting to administration of hormonal contraceptives varied from 6 months to 7 years. Biochemical parameters of liver function, fasting glucose levels, body mass index (BMI) as well as blood pressure were monitored at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months of therapy. Side effects of the treatment were noted on regular follow-up examinations. RESULTS: No case of pregnancy or graft rejection was observed on therapy. Changes of biochemical parameters were not significant (aspartate transferase 22.92 +/- 6.67 vs 25.54 +/- 7.90, alanine transferase 22.08 +/- 5.66 vs 24.27 +/- 7.57, total bilirubin 0.96 +/- 0.17 vs 1.02 +/- 0.15). Blood pressure and BMI remained stable in the group. None of the patients discontinued therapy for medical indications. CONCLUSION: Hormonal contraception was administered as soon as liver transplant function was stable. It was effective, well tolerated, and did not seem to impair graft function. However, a long-term prospective study is necessary to assess the safety of hormonal contraception in transplant recipients.

The c-Myc target gene Rcl (C6orf108) encodes a novel enzyme, deoxynucleoside 5'-monophosphate N-glycosidase.

RCL is a c-Myc target with tumorigenic potential. Genome annotation predicted that RCL belonged to the N-deoxyribosyltransferase family. However, its putative relationship to this class of enzymes did not lead to its precise biochemical function. The purified native or N-terminal His-tagged recombinant rat RCL protein expressed in Escherichia coli exhibits the same enzyme activity, deoxynucleoside 5'-monophosphate N-glycosidase, never before described. dGMP appears to be the best substrate. RCL opens a new route in the nucleotide catabolic pathways by cleaving the N-glycosidic bond of deoxynucleoside 5'-monophosphates to yield two reaction products, deoxyribose 5-phosphate and purine or pyrimidine base. Biochemical studies show marked differences in the terms of the structure and catalytic mechanism between RCL and of its closest enzyme family neighbor, N-deoxyribosyltransferase. The reaction products of this novel enzyme activity have been implicated in purine or pyrimidine salvage, glycolysis, and angiogenesis, and hence are all highly relevant for tumorigenesis.

Menstrual cycle and sex hormone profile in perimenopausal women after liver transplantation.

UNLABELLED: Excellent long-term outcomes of transplant patients let many female liver-recipients experience perimenopausal problems. This study assessed menstrual patterns and sex hormone profiles in women of perimenopausal age who experienced end-stage liver failure treated by transplantation (OLT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Menstrual patterns, sex hormone profiles, and biochemical parameters of liver function were analyzed before and after OLT in 13 liver-transplanted patients of perimenopausal age. Nineteen healthy perimenopausal women served as controls. RESULTS: The most common abnormality of the menstrual cycle observed in the study group was secondary amenorrhea, which affected six liver-transplanted women. Three months after OLT amenorrhea was still observed in six patients, regular menstrual cycles in six and irregular bleeding in one graft recipient. One year after transplantation regular menstruations were noted in four, irregular bleeding in four, and secondary amenorrhea in five liver-transplanted women. Similar levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, progesterone and testosterone as well as lower levels of estradiol and DHEA-sulfate were observed in patients with liver failure, both before and after grafting, compared with healthy women. After OLT E2 levels increased from 32.05 +/- 18.04 to 49.12 +/- 22.21. CONCLUSIONS: One year after OLT disturbances in menstrual patterns affect most (69%) perimenopausal female liver recipients. Both before and after OLT significantly lower levels of estradiol and DHEA-S were observed in transplanted patients compared with healthy controls. Hormonal therapy of amenorrhea or irregular menstruations may be required in that group of patients.

High rate of endometrial hyperplasia in renal transplanted women.

UNLABELLED: A high rate of endometrial hyperplasia, an estrogen-dependent premalignant lesion of the endometrium, has been observed among female kidney allograft recipients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of endometrial abnormalities among renal transplanted women with abnormal uterine bleedings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis compared 45 renal transplanted women who underwent dilatation and curettage for abnormal uterine bleeding between January 1999 and September 2004 with 90 consecutive, nontransplanted, control patients who underwent dilatation and curettage for the same reason in 2004. RESULTS: Thirty-one cases (69%) of endometrial hyperplasia and one case (2%) of endometrial cancer were detected among the renal allograft recipients. The majority of transplant patients (28 cases, 62%) developed endometrial hyperplasia without atypia successfully treated with progestagens. There were 29 cases (32%) of hyperplasia without atypia, 2 cases (1%) of atypical hyperplasia, and 4 cases (4%) of endometrial cancer in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Renal transplanted women seem to have an extremely high risk of endometrial hyperplasia. The majority of cases may be successfully treated with progestagens. Immunocompromised renal graft recipients, however, show other risk factors for carcinogenesis. Thus, frequent clinical surveillance should be recommended in this group of patients, also because there is conflicting evidence with regard to the risk of progression to carcinoma among untreated patients.

Function of the ovaries in female kidney transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVES: One of the effects of an improved general health state after successful kidney transplantation in women of reproductive age is recurrence of regular menstrual function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three ovarian cycles in female kidney transplant recipient, aged from 18 to 44 years, at 1.5 to 15 years after transplantation, were compared with 50 cycles of healthy women. We monitored the menstrual cycle duration as well as follicle stimulation hormone (FSH), leutinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, creatinine, and testosterone serum concentrations as well as hematocrit and obtained sonographic observations of ovarian follicle growth and ovulation. RESULTS: Of the recipients, 68.1% had regular menstrual cycles. Ovulatory cycles were observed in 45% of patients. Estradiol concentration established in the first phase of the cycle was significantly higher among the transplanted group (mean value 226.86 +/- 97.45 pg/mL vs 140.00 +/- 61.00 in the controls). A significantly lower level of progesterone (15.05 +/- 17.34 ng/mL vs 30.79 +/- 18.48 ng/mL in the controls) and of testosterone were observed in kidney recipients. Other hormonal parameters did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Similar serum FSH, LH, and prolactin concentrations as well as increased levels of estrogens were observed in kidney transplant recipients compared with healthy nonrecipients. The rate of ovulatory cycles in regularly menstruated kidney graft recipients was similar to that of healthy women. Stabilization of graft function resulted in restoration of normal ovarian hormone metabolism and ovulatory cycles in female kidney transplanted recipients.