Showing papers by "David W. Johnson published in 2007"
TL;DR: The cross-plane thermal conductivity of thin films of WSe2 grown from alternating W and Se layers is as small as 0.05 watts per meter per degree kelvin at room temperature, which is a factor of 6 smaller than the predicted minimum thermal Conductivity for this material.
Abstract: The cross-plane thermal conductivity of thin films of WSe2 grown from alternating W and Se layers is as small as 0.05 watts per meter per degree kelvin at room temperature, 30 times smaller than the c-axis thermal conductivity of single-crystal WSe2 and a factor of 6 smaller than the predicted minimum thermal conductivity for this material. We attribute the ultralow thermal conductivity of these disordered, layered crystals to the localization of lattice vibrations induced by the random stacking of two-dimensional crystalline WSe2 sheets. Disordering of the layered structure by ion bombardment increases the thermal conductivity.
770 citations
TL;DR: Cooperative learning is one of the success stories of both psychology and education as mentioned in this paper, and it has been translated into dozens of languages, including French, German, Dutch, and Italian.
Abstract: Modern cooperative learning began in the mid- 1960s (D. W. Johnson & R. Johnson, 1999a). Its use, however, was resisted by advocates of social Darwinism (who believed that students must be taught to survive in a "dog-eat-dog" world) and individualism (who believed in the myth of the "rugged individualist"). Despite the resistance, cooperative learning is now an accepted, and often the preferred, instructional procedures at all levels of education. Cooperative learning is being used in postsecondary education in every part of the world. It is difficult to find a text on instructional methods, a journal on teaching, or instructional guidelines that do not discuss cooperative learning. Materials on cooperative learning have been translated into dozens of languages. Cooperative learning is one of the success stories of both psychology and education. One of the most distinctive characteristics of cooperative learning, and perhaps the reason for its success, is the close relationship between theory, research, and practice. In this article, social interdependence theory will be reviewed, the research validating the theory will be summarized, and the five basic elements needed to understand the dynamics of cooperation and operationalize the validated theory will be discussed. Finally the controversies in the research and the remaining questions that need to be answered by future research will be noted.
718 citations
TL;DR: Over time, a rapid response system for patients in shock continued to reduce time to treatment, resulting in a continued decrease in mortality.
Abstract: Objective:Treatment of nontraumatic shock is often delayed or inadequate due to insufficient knowledge or skills of front-line healthcare providers, limited hospital resources, and lack of institution-wide systems to ensure application of best practice. As a result, mortality from shock remains high
195 citations
TL;DR: Del(16q) was an independent prognostic marker and conferred additional adverse survival impact in cases with the known poor-risk cytogenetic factors t(4;14) and del(17p), and a "low-WWOX signature" defined by WWOX expression was generated.
144 citations
TL;DR: The causes of ESA hyporesponsiveness and the clinical evidence for proposed therapeutic interventions are reviewed, including the use of biocompatible membranes, ultrapure dialysate, transplant nephrectomy, ascorbic acid therapy, vitamin E supplementation, statins and oxpentifylline administration.
Abstract: Approximately 5-10% of patients with chronic kidney disease demonstrate hyporesponsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA), defined as a continued need for greater than 300 IU/kg per week erythropoietin or 1.5 mug/kg per week darbepoetin administered by the subcutaneous route. Such hyporesponsiveness contributes significantly to morbidity, mortality and health-care economic burden in chronic kidney disease and represents an important diagnostic and management challenge. The commonest causes of ESA resistance are non-compliance, absolute or functional iron deficiency and inflammation. It is widely accepted that maintaining adequate iron stores, ideally by administering iron parenterally, is the most important strategy for reducing the requirements for, and enhancing the efficacy of ESA. There have been recent epidemiologic studies linking parenteral iron therapy to an increased risk of infection and atherosclerosis, although other investigations have refuted this. Inflammatory ESA hyporesponsiveness has been reported to be improved by a number of interventions, including the use of biocompatible membranes, ultrapure dialysate, transplant nephrectomy, ascorbic acid therapy, vitamin E supplementation, statins and oxpentifylline administration. Other variably well-established causes of ESA hyporesponsiveness include inadequate dialysis, hyperparathyroidism, nutrient deficiencies (vitamin B12, folate, vitamin C, carnitine), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, aluminium overload, antibody-mediated pure red cell aplasia, primary bone marrow disorders, myelosuppressive agents, haemoglobinopathies, haemolysis and hypersplenism. This paper reviews the causes of ESA hyporesponsiveness and the clinical evidence for proposed therapeutic interventions. A practical algorithm for approaching the investigation and management of patients with ESA hyporesponsiveness is also provided.
140 citations
TL;DR: The prevalence, predictors, prognostic value and treatment of MS in the CKD population have not been rigorously studied.
Abstract: Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, mortality and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population. However, the prevalence, predictors, prognostic value and treatment of MS in the CKD population have not been rigorously studied.
112 citations
TL;DR: It is appropriate to advise medical practitioners that, in people aged ≥ 70 years, an eGFR in the range 45–59 mL/min/1.73 m2, if stable over time and unaccompanied by other evidence of kidney damage, may be interpreted as consistent with a typical eG FR for this age group and is unlikely to be associated with chronic kidney disease‐related complications.
Abstract: Since publication of the Australasian Creatinine Consensus Working Group's position statement in 2005, most Australasian laboratories now automatically report an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (based on the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease [MDRD] formula) with results of serum creatinine tests in adults. Anecdotal evidence suggests that automatic reporting of eGFR helps to identify asymptomatic kidney dysfunction at an earlier stage and to develop rational and appropriate management plans. Changes to the measurement and calibration of serum creatinine assays and issues regarding implementation of eGFR in clinical practice led the Australasian Creatinine Consensus Working Group to reconvene in 2007. The recommendations contained here build on the original 2005 position statement and consolidate the role of eGFR in clinical practice. The Working Group recommends that the eGFR upper reporting limit be extended to 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, with eGFR values above this amount being reported as "> 90 mL/min/1.73 m2", rather than as a precise figure. The Working Group has concluded that it is currently premature to recommend age-related decision points for eGFR. However, it is appropriate to advise medical practitioners that, in people aged >/= 70 years, an eGFR in the range 45-59 mL/min/1.73 m2, if stable over time and unaccompanied by other evidence of kidney damage, may be interpreted as consistent with a typical eGFR for this age group and is unlikely to be associated with chronic kidney disease-related complications. Pending publication of validation studies, the Working Group recommends that Australasian laboratories continue to automatically report eGFR in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other ethnic groups. The Working Group supports the use of eGFR to assist drug dosing decision making in general practice.
110 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, thin-film dielectrics and nanolaminates have been synthesized via aqueous-solution deposition of Hf and Zr sulfates, where facile gelation and vitrification of the precursor solution have been achieved without organic additives.
Abstract: New thin-film dielectrics and nanolaminates have been synthesized via aqueous-solution deposition of Hf and Zr sulfates, where facile gelation and vitrification of the precursor solution have been achieved without organic additives. X-ray reflectivity, imaging, and metal-insulator-metal capacitor performance reveal that smooth, atomically dense films are readily produced by spin coating and modest thermal treatment (T < 325 °C). Dielectric characteristics include permittivities covering the range of 9–12 with breakdown fields up to 6 MV cm–1. Performance as gate dielectrics is demonstrated in field-effect transistors exhibiting small gate-leakage currents and qualitatively ideal device performance. The low-temperature processing, uniformity, and pore-free nature of the films have also allowed construction of unique, high-resolution nanolaminates exhibiting individual layers as thin as 3 nm.
107 citations
TL;DR: A more complete understanding of these cellular events will allow protection against nephron destruction, regeneration leading to re-epithelialization of the injured tubules, or prevention of progression to chronic kidney disease.
90 citations
TL;DR: There is limited, but as yet inconclusive controlled trial evidence that cardiovascular outcomes in dialysis populations may be improved by antioxidants, but the negative trials to date should raise significant concerns about the heavy reliance of current clinical practice guidelines on extrapolation of findings from cardiovascular intervention trials in the general population.
Abstract: Cardiovascular disease accounts for 40% to 50% of deaths in dialysis populations. Overall, the risk of cardiac mortality is 10-fold to 20-fold greater in dialysis patients than in age and sex-matched controls without chronic kidney disease. The aim of this paper is to review critically the evidence that cardiac outcomes in dialysis patients are modified by cardiovascular risk factor interventions. There is limited, but as yet inconclusive controlled trial evidence that cardiovascular outcomes in dialysis populations may be improved by antioxidants (vitamin E or acetylcysteine), ensuring that hemoglobin levels do not exceed 120 g/L (especially in the setting of known cardiovascular disease), prescribing carvedilol in the setting of dilated cardiomyopathy, and by using cinacalcet in uncontrolled secondary hyperparathyroidism. Similarly, there are a number of negative controlled trials, which have demonstrated that statins, high-dose folic acid, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, multiple risk factor intervention via multidisciplinary clinics, and high-dose or high-flux dialysis are ineffective in preventing cardiovascular disease. Although none of these studies could be considered conclusive, the negative trials to date should raise significant concerns about the heavy reliance of current clinical practice guidelines on extrapolation of findings from cardiovascular intervention trials in the general population. It may be that cardiovascular disease in dialysis populations is less amenable to intervention, either because of the advanced stage of chronic kidney disease or because the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients is different from that in the general population. Large, well-conducted, multicenter randomized-controlled trials in this area are urgently required.
TL;DR: In this paper, the in-plane thermal conductivity results for WSe2 and W4(WSe2)10 films measured by using a suspended device are about 30 times higher than the cross-plane values because of the inplane ordered and crossplane disordered structures.
Abstract: It was recently reported that misoriented layered WSe2 and (W)x(WSe2)y films possess extremely low cross-plane thermal conductivity. Here, we report that the in-plane thermal conductivity results for WSe2 and W4(WSe2)10 films measured by using a suspended device are about 30 times higher than the cross-plane values because of the in-plane ordered and cross-plane disordered structures and about six times lower than that of compacted single-crystal WSe2 platelets. The additional W layers in the W4(WSe2)10 films were found to greatly increase the in-plane electrical conductivity relative to the WSe2 films, but reduce the in-plane lattice thermal conductivity assuming the Wiedemann-Franz law.
TL;DR: There is a need for large observational and interventional studies among peritoneal dialysis patients to sustain and enforce the improvements in both dialysis therapies.
Abstract: In the past decade, peritoneal dialysis use among patients with end-stage renal disease has declined in many countries. Studies from the United States indicate that many academic centers do not have adequate resources to train fellows, most incident dialysis patients are not offered peritoneal dialysis, and more than half of dialysis clinics do not have the infrastructure to support peritoneal dialysis. Some are concerned that the outcomes of peritoneal dialysis and maintenance hemodialysis patients may not be equivalent, a notion that is not supported by outcome studies. Given the effect of modality selection on patients' lifestyle, attempts to conduct a randomized, controlled comparison of maintenance hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis have been unsuccessful. Most observational studies showed that peritoneal dialysis is associated with a survival advantage that diminishes over time; it is unclear whether any of the differences over time are attributable to the modality. Between 1996 and 2003, the early outcomes of peritoneal dialysis patients further improved, whereas those for maintenance hemodialysis patients remained unchanged. Differences in outcomes may be due to residual statistical confounding; however, several biologic mechanisms can be postulated: The early survival advantage may be related to the better preservation of residual renal function with peritoneal dialysis, and the diminution of the survival advantage may be related to worsened volume control. There is a need for large observational and interventional studies among peritoneal dialysis patients to sustain and enforce the improvements in both dialysis therapies.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of prescribed fire, vegetation type, and time following fire on soil KCl extractable nitrogen and NaHCO3 extractable phosphorus in a pinyon-juniper woodland and its associated sagebrush ecosystem immediately before and for 4 years after a spring prescribed burn.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Molden et al. as mentioned in this paper presented a comprehensive assessment of water management in agriculture, focusing on water for food, water for life, and water for the future of agriculture.
Abstract: In Molden, David (Ed.). Water for food, water for life: a Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture. London, UK: Earthscan; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: Guidance and clinical tips to help identify, manage and refer CKD in your practice and a summary guide to assist in the management and referral of CKD patients.
Abstract: [v. 1] Guidance and clinical tips to help identify, manage and refer CKD in your practice -- [v. 2] Summary guide.
TL;DR: In this paper, a photon recycling in strain-balanced quantum well solar cells grown on distributed Bragg reflectors has been observed as a suppression of the dark current and a change in electroluminescence spectra.
Abstract: Photon recycling in strain-balanced quantum well solar cells grown on distributed Bragg reflectors has been observed as a suppression of the dark current and a change in electroluminescence spectra. Comparing devices grown with and without distributed Bragg reflectors we have demonstrated up to a 33% reduction in the ideality n=1 reverse saturation current. Furthermore, to validate the observations we demonstrate how both the measured dark currents and electroluminescence spectra fit very well to a photon recycling model. Verifying our observations with the model then allows us to calculate optimized device designs.
Princeton University1, Columbia University2, University of California, San Diego3, Oak Ridge National Laboratory4, KAIST5, University of California, Los Angeles6, Johns Hopkins University7, University of California, Davis8, General Atomics9, University of California, Irvine10, University of Washington11, University of Colorado Boulder12, Hiroshima University13, Massachusetts Institute of Technology14, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory15, University of Tokyo16, University of Rochester17, New York University18, Los Alamos National Laboratory19, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory20, Kurchatov Institute21, University of Wisconsin-Madison22, Japan Atomic Energy Agency23, Sandia National Laboratories24
TL;DR: The National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) has made considerable progress in advancing the scientific understanding of high performance long-pulse plasmas needed for future spherical torus (ST) devices and ITER.
Abstract: The National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) has made considerable progress in advancing the scientific understanding of high performance long-pulse plasmas needed for future spherical torus (ST) devices and ITER. Plasma durations up to 1.6 s (five current redistribution times) have been achieved at plasma currents of 0.7 MA with non-inductive current fractions above 65% while simultaneously achieving βT and βN values of 17% and 5.7 (%m T MA−1), respectively. A newly available motional Stark effect diagnostic has enabled validation of current-drive sources and improved the understanding of NSTX 'hybrid'-like scenarios. In MHD research, ex-vessel radial field coils have been utilized to infer and correct intrinsic EFs, provide rotation control and actively stabilize the n = 1 resistive wall mode at ITER-relevant low plasma rotation values. In transport and turbulence research, the low aspect ratio and a wide range of achievable β in the NSTX provide unique data for confinement scaling studies, and a new microwave scattering diagnostic is being used to investigate turbulent density fluctuations with wavenumbers extending from ion to electron gyro-scales. In energetic particle research, cyclic neutron rate drops have been associated with the destabilization of multiple large toroidal Alfven eigenmodes (TAEs) analogous to the 'sea-of-TAE' modes predicted for ITER, and three-wave coupling processes have been observed for the first time. In boundary physics research, advanced shape control has enabled studies of the role of magnetic balance in H-mode access and edge localized mode stability. Peak divertor heat flux has been reduced by a factor of 5 using an H-mode-compatible radiative divertor, and lithium conditioning has demonstrated particle pumping and results in improved thermal confinement. Finally, non-solenoidal plasma start-up experiments have achieved plasma currents of 160 kA on closed magnetic flux surfaces utilizing coaxial helicity injection.
TL;DR: In this article, changes in soil C and N concentrations and contents in four samplings during a 32-yr period on Walker Branch watershed in Tennessee were determined and compared with previously measured litterfall and soil C 0 2 -C fluxes.
Abstract: Changes in soil C and N concentrations and contents in four samplings during a 32-yr period on Walker Branch watershed in Tennessee were determined and compared with previously measured C and N fluxes and with changes in ecosystem C and N pools during this period. Soils showed significant increases in C and N concentrations in surface horizons from 1972 to 2004, and most of this increase occurred between 1972 and 1982. A previously observed decline in soil C and N contents between 1982 and 1993 was reversed in 2004 such that the latter increased to near 1982 values. The changes in soil C content could be approximately accounted for by previously measured litterfall and soil C0 2 -C fluxes. Changes in soil N could not be accounted for by leaching, increments in vegetation, or by laboratory bias, changes during sample storage, or reasonable estimates of field sampling errors. We conclude that, although vegetation C and N pools increased steadily during the sampling period in most cases, changes in soil C and N pools on Walker Branch watershed are highly variable in both space and time, and there has been no unidirectional trend during the time period of this study.
TL;DR: Peritonsillar abscess is primarily a problem of adolescence, but the disease does occur in young children, and corticosteroid use was common but without either clear benefit or adverse outcomes.
Abstract: Objectives:(1) To describe the demographic features and clinical course of children diagnosed with suspected peritonsillar abscess (PTA), (2) to determine the incidence of suspected and confirmed PTA in children younger than 18 years, and (3) to examine the factors associated with corticosteroid use
TL;DR: The authors have successfully refined and characterized primary cultures of human PTC using Percoll density gradient centrifugation as a key PTC enrichment step and found that the primary isolates have characteristics of epithelial cells with uniform polarized morphology, tight junction and well‐formed apical microvilli.
Abstract: Proximal tubule cells (PTC) are the major cell type in the cortical tubulointerstitium. Because PTC play a central role in tubulointerstitial pathophysiology, it is essential to prepare pure PTC from kidney tissue to explore the mechanisms of tubulointerstitial pathology. The authors have successfully refined and characterized primary cultures of human PTC using Percoll density gradient centrifugation as a key PTC enrichment step. The cells obtained by this method retain morphological and functional properties of PTC and are minimally contaminated by other renal cells. In particular, the primary isolates have characteristics of epithelial cells with uniform polarized morphology, tight junction and well-formed apical microvilli. Cytokeratin is uniformly and strongly expressed in the isolates. Brush border enzyme activities and PTC transport properties are retained in the isolates. This method therefore provides an excellent in vitro model for the physiologic study of the human proximal tubule.
TL;DR: The data strongly suggest that sleep logs do not reproduce actigraphic records in patients with PTSD even though the sleep logs were reliably quantified.
TL;DR: HTMOB is a modified Girard derivatizing reagent synthesized to improve the sensitivity of analysis of aldehydes and ketones with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and applications described include the profiling of ketones, ketoacids and ketodiacids in the urine of children with ketosis and the profiles of long-chain aldeHydes incorporated in plasma plasmalogens.
Abstract: 4-Hydrazino-N,N,N-trimethyl-4-oxobutanaminium iodide (HTMOB) is a modified Girard derivatizing reagent synthesized to improve the sensitivity of analysis of aldehydes and ketones with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Compared with Girard T reagent the measured signal intensity increase is between 3.3 times (succinylacetone) and 7.0 times (17-hydroxyprogesterone). HTMOB is a universal profiling reagent for aldehydes and ketones. A neutral loss of 59 Da scan detects all aldehydes and ketones from acetone to corticosteroids. Applications described include the profiling of ketones, ketoacids and ketodiacids in the urine of children with ketosis and the profiling of long-chain aldehydes incorporated in plasma plasmalogens.
TL;DR: Protease‐activated receptor‐2, the second of four members of a unique subfamily of G‐protein coupled receptors, is abundantly expressed in the kidney and potential physiological and pathophysiological roles for it include the regulation of inflammation, blood flow and ion transport and tissue protection, repair and fibrosis.
Abstract: The protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2), the second of four members of a unique subfamily of G-protein coupled receptors, is abundantly expressed in the kidney. In a similar manner to other PAR cleavage of its extracellular N-terminus exposes a tethered ligand, SLIGKV in humans, which acts as an intramolecular ligand to activate itself. In the kidney, PAR-2 expression has been variably reported in collecting duct cells, mesangial cells, interstitial fibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and proximal tubular cells. Despite this renal expression data, the function of PAR-2 in the kidney remains unknown. More than 15 different mammalian serine proteases have been shown to activate PAR-2 in an in vitro setting, but it is still unclear which of these are physiologically relevant activators of PAR-2 in specific tissues. Their identification could provide novel therapeutic targets. PAR-2 activates a number of down-stream signalling molecules that include protein kinase C, extracellular signal regulated kinase and nuclear factor kappa-B. Proteases that can activate PAR-2 are generated and released from cells during injury, inflammation and malignancy and can thus signal to cells under these conditions. Potential physiological and pathophysiological roles for PAR-2 in the kidney include the regulation of inflammation, blood flow, and ion transport and tissue protection, repair and fibrosis. In this review the potential roles of PAR-2 in the kidney are highlighted and discussed.
TL;DR: To determine whether the administration of erythropoietin at the time of ischaemic renal injury (IRI) inhibits apoptosis, enhances tubular epithelial regeneration and promotes renal functional recovery, as it does in rodent models, in a higher mammalian model.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the administration of erythropoietin at the time of ischaemic renal injury (IRI) inhibits apoptosis, enhances tubular epithelial regeneration and promotes renal functional recovery, as it does in rodent models, in a higher mammalian model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The model of IRI involved unilateral nephrectomy in pigs, followed a week later by renal artery occlusion for 1 h, followed by reperfusion for 5 days. Pigs were randomized to receive erythropoietin 5000 units/kg intravenously at the time of ischaemia, followed by 1000 units/kg subcutaneously daily, or no treatment (six pigs each). Renal function and structure were analysed; blood and urine were collected daily to determine serum creatinine level, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine clearance. Animals were killed after 5 days to obtain the injured kidneys. The kidneys were examined histologically for evidence of cellular mitosis, apoptosis and necrosis.
RESULTS
Erythropoietin significantly abrogated renal dysfunction after IRI compared with controls at 12 h after injury; the mean (sem) creatinine clearance (as a percentage of baseline) for IRI was 68.2 (6)% vs erythropoietin-IRI 94.9 (8.9)% (P = 0.027), although by 36 h this was no longer significant, with values of 73.8 (12.7)% vs 95.9 (12)%, respectively (P = 0.23). Erythropoietin also significantly reduced the amount of cell death on histological analysis after 5 days of reperfusion, with a median (range) for IRI of 5.5 (1–45) vs erythropoietin-IRI of 1.5 (0–4) (P = 0.043).
CONCLUSION
This study confirms the potential clinical applications of erythropoietin as a novel therapeutic agent in patients at risk of IRI.
TL;DR: Intermittent and continuous antibiotic dosing are equivalent treatment strategies for patients with peritoneal dialysis peritonitis and one trial showed superiority of intraperitoneal antibiotics over intravenous therapy.
TL;DR: Renal function in an LDK transplant recipients is predicted by donor GFR, episodes of steroid resistant rejection and DGF, and donor Cockcroft‐Gault GFR is the most important characteristic for predicting the recipient renal function.
Abstract: We hypothesized that predictors of outcome in live donor transplants were likely to differ significantly from deceased donor transplants, in which cold ischaemia time, cause of donor death and other donor factors are the most important predictors. The primary aim was to explore the independent predictors of graft function in recipients of live donor kidneys (LDK). Our secondary aim was to determine which donor characteristics are the most useful predictors. A retrospective analysis was undertaken of all patients receiving live donor (n = 206) renal transplants at our institution between 31 May 1994 and 15 October 2002. Twelve patients were excluded from the analysis. Follow-up was completed on all patients until graft loss, death or 22 November 2003. We explored predictors of Nankivell glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at 6 months by multivariate linear regression. In the 194 patients studied, the mean recipient 6-month Nankivell GFR was 59 +/- 15 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Independent predictors of recipient GFR in at 6 months were donor Cockcroft-Gault GFR (CrCl; beta 0.16; CI 0.13 to 0.29; P < 0.0001), steroid resistant rejection (beta-6.07; CI -12.05 to -0.09; P = 0.006) and delayed graft function (DGF) (beta-10.0; CI -19.52 to -0.49; P = 0.039). Renal function in an LDK transplant recipients is predicted by donor GFR, episodes of steroid resistant rejection and DGF. Importantly, donor Cockcroft-Gault GFR is the most important characteristic for predicting the recipient renal function.
TL;DR: In this paper, French travellers who visited the Cape Colony between 1648 and 1792 are discussed in relation to two questions: How did they represent the Cape "Hottentots"? And how did they conceptualize France's colonial expansion?
Abstract: The article is framed by South African president Thabo Mbeki's speeches on the relevance of French eighteenth-century thought to South Africa. French travellers who visited the Cape Colony between 1648 and 1792 are then discussed in relation to two questions: How did they represent the Cape "Hottentots"? And how did they conceptualize France's colonial expansion? The writings disclose a shift in the discursive representations of the "Hottentots" from "beasts," "brutes" and "slothful servants" in the seventeenth century to their representations in the eighteenth century as "children of nature," "docile servants" and "useful citizens." This discursive shift was accompanied by military defeats, political violence and economic impoverishment. In conclusion, the relation of the post-apartheid Khoisan to their eighteenth-century predecessors is considered.
TL;DR: The authors explored the efficacy of alternate nightly home haemodialysis (ANHHD) in controlling BMM parameters and its effects on bone mineral density and histomorphometry.
Abstract: Background: Poor control of bone mineral metabolism (BMM) is associated with renal osteodystrophy and mortality in dialysis-dependent patients. The authors explored the efficacy of alternate nightly home haemodialysis (ANHHD) in controlling BMM parameters and its effects on bone mineral density and histomorphometry. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 26 patients on home haemodialysis (3-5 h, 3.5-4 sessions weekly) were converted to ANHHD (6-9 h, 3.5-4 sessions weekly). Biochemical parameters of BMM at baseline, 6 and 12 months, radiological parameters at baseline and 12 months and bone histomorphometry at 12 months are described. Results: Pre-dialysis serum phosphate fell from 2.13 ± 0.65 to 1.38 ± 0.35 mmol/L; P 1000 ng/L) did not significantly improve parathyroid hormone status. Abnormal bone turnover and mineralization were present in a significant proportion of patients at 12 months but low turnover was uncommon. Vascular calcification was stabilized or improved in the majority. ANHHD compares favourably with every night and short daily therapy in relation to BMM management and may offer lifestyle advantages for patients.
TL;DR: Recovery of renal function in patients treated with PD is rare and determined mainly by renal disease type and race, and in the majority of cases, recovery is short term.
Abstract: ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting recovery and durability of dialysis-independent renal function following commencement of peritoneal dialysis (PD).DesignRetr...