Evaluation of body weight and visual scores for genetic improvement of Nelore cattle.

The aims of our study were to estimate genetic parameters for body weight and visual scores and to evaluate their inclusion as selection criteria in the Nelore breeding program in Brazil. The traits studied were the body weight adjusted to 210 (W210) and to 450 (W450) days of age and visual scores for body structure, finishing precocity, and muscling evaluated at weaning (BSW, FPW, and MSW) and yearling (BSY, FPY, and MSY) ages. A total of 33,242, 26,259, 23,075, and 26,057 observations were considered to analyze W210, W450, and visual scores at weaning and yearling. The significant (P < 0.05) fixed effects for all traits were farm, birth season, birth year, sex, and management group. Single-trait analyses were performed to define the most fitting model to our data using the average information restricted maximum likelihood algorithm, for weaning traits. Subsequently, these models were used in single- and two-trait analyses considering the Bayesian inference algorithm. Two-trait Bayesian analyses resulted in average direct heritability estimates for BSW, FPW, MSW, W210, BSY, FPY, MSY, and W450 of 0.28, 0.30, 0.27, 0.28, 0.40, 0.44, 0.39, and 0.50, respectively. Genetic correlations varied from 0.40 to 0.96. Benefits to animal performance can best be achieved by considering body structure, finishing precocity, and muscling as selection criteria in the Nelore breeding programs. The decision to use visual scores measured at weaning should be considered in order to decrease generation interval and assist pre-selecting individuals, expecting carcass improvements in the future progeny.

Case Report: Hemolytic Anemia Following Deceased Donor Renal Transplantation Associated With Tranexamic Acid Administration for Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes of kidney transplantation with organs from donors with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) are comparable with those from other deceased donors. The use of tranexamic acid to impair fibrinolysis in the treatment of DIC is becoming increasingly frequent, particularly in the trauma setting. However, the effects of tranexamic acid on a transplanted kidney allograft are unknown. RESULTS: We report 2 cases of kidney transplantation following administration of tranexamic acid to the donor prior to organ donation. Microthrombi were present in the renal allografts. Both recipients experienced clinically significant hemolytic anemia, which typically occurs at a very low frequency. CONCLUSIONS: These cases illustrate a potential concern for the use of tranexamic acid in deceased kidney donors with DIC.

Case Report: Successful Living Donor Kidney Transplantation in a Highly Human Leukocyte Antigen-Sensitized Recipient With a Positive Cytotoxic Crossmatch Using Bortezomib-Based Desensitization Without Intravenous Immunoglobulin.

BACKGROUND: Highly sensitized patients, who produce antibodies against multiple anti-human leukocyte antigens, have significantly reduced chances for renal transplantation. Traditionally, desensitization protocols to reduce the levels of antibodies have relied on the use of intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis. RESULTS: Here we report the case of a patient with a calculated panel-reactive antibody level of 100% who was desensitized using multiple courses of bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, in an intravenous immunoglobulin-free regimen. The patient underwent a successful transplantation with an allograft from a living donor and has continued to do well post-transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies decreases the likelihood of transplantation for patients by restricting the available donor pool. New protocols that reduce antibody expression in these patients and allow for renal transplantation are needed. Bortezomib, as used in the patient reported here, represents a promising new medication for successful desensitization and transplantation.

Addressing morbid obesity as a barrier to renal transplantation with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Morbid obesity is a barrier to renal transplantation and is inadequately addressed by medical therapy. We present results of a prospective evaluation of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for patients failing to achieve significant weight loss with medical therapy. Over a 25-month period, 52 obese renal transplant candidates meeting NIH guidelines for metabolic surgery underwent LSG. Mean age was 50.0 ± 10.0 years with an average preoperative BMI of 43.0 ± 5.4 kg/m(2) (range 35.8-67.7 kg/m(2)). Follow-up after LSG was 220 ± 152 days (range 26-733 days) with last BMI of 36.3 ± 5.3 kg/m(2) (range 29.2-49.8 kg/m(2)) with 29 (55.8%) patients achieving goal BMI of <35 kg/m(2) at 92 ± 92 days (range 13-420 days). The mean percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was 32.1 ± 17.6% (range 6.7-93.8%). A segmented regression model was used to compare medical therapy versus LSG. This revealed a statistically significant increase in the BMI reduction rate (0.3 kg/m(2)/month versus 1.1 kg/m(2)/month, p < 0.0001). Patients also experienced a 40.9% decrease in anti-hypertensive medications (p < 0.001) and a 49.7% decrease in total daily insulin dose (p < 0.001). LSG is a safe and effective means for addressing obesity in kidney transplant candidates in the context of a multidisciplinary approach.

Bortezomib for acute antibody-mediated rejection in liver transplantation.

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is an uncommon, but challenging type of rejection after solid organ transplantation. We review three cases of AMR in ABO-compatible liver transplant recipients. These cases were characterized by severe acute rejection resistant to steroids and antithymocyte globulin, histologic evidence of plasma cell infiltrates, C4d positivity and high serum anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies. All three patients were treated with bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor effective in depleting plasma cells. After treatment, all patients had improved or normal liver function tests, resolution of C4d deposition and significant decline in their HLA donor-specific antibodies.

[Therapeutic indications of low molecular weight heparins]. / Les indications thérapeutiques des héparines de bas poids moléculaire.

The depolymerisation of the various chains of unfractionated heparin (UFH) by chemical or enzymatic reactions provides so-called low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), with an average molecular weight of approximately 5000 daltons. The specific biological and pharmacokinetic properties of LMWH with greater inhibition of factor Xa than of thrombin activity, less interaction with platelets, better bioavailability and a longer half life of anti-Xa activity, suggest possible new therapeutic applications. The hypothesis of reducing the risk of haemorrhage related to the antithrombin activity and the incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia whilst preserving effective antithrombotic action has stimulated clinical and biological research. Clinical trials of prophylaxis of venous thrombo-embolism have been undertaken mainly in surgical patients. The results have shown identical if not better efficacy of LMWH compared to UFH in general surgical and above all orthopedic patients in whom subcutaneous heparin is only effective with a strict protocol which is difficult to adhere to in routine practice (adaptation of dosage to activated partial thromboplastin time). The risk of bleeding was not significantly lower using LMWH at the specified dosage, which in the latter indication, is twice that used in general surgery. There are many indications of prophylaxis of thromboembolism in the medical specialties but, paradoxically, LMWH has not been widely studied because of the difficulties in performing the therapeutic trials. Except in rare cases (extreme body weights, renal failure, haemorrhagic disease, thrombotic or haemorrhagic complications) the evaluation of amidolytic anti-Xa activity does not seem to be necessary. More recently, LMWH has been studied in a small number of trials for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The therapeutic efficacy is identical if not better than that of UFH without increasing the risk of bleeding. Biological monitoring seems to be necessary in this indication for evaluating amidolytic anti-Xa activity, which, though not a true marker of antithrombotic activity is a relatively sensitive investigation. The therapeutic values are 0.5 IU/ml to 1.0 IU/ml, 3 to 4 hours after subcutaneous injection. The conclusions of all these trials are: LMWH is relatively simple to use and, compared with UFH, has a more stable anticoagulant effect due to its pharmacokinetic properties; the therapeutic efficacy is as good as, if not better, than that of UFH; the risk of bleeding remains, therefore, the specified dosages should be respected and treatment should be monitored by anti-Xa activity when indicated; the decreased interaction with platelet function should not mask the risk of thrombocytopoenia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)