An alpha globulin fraction prepared from normal human plasma by column chromatography prevents homologous lymphocyte transformation and the stimulation of DNA, and also protein synthesis induced by phytohemagglutinin and specific antigens. These observations support the concept of a normal circulating immunosuppressant factor which prevents lymphoid cell proliferation.

In the period, 1973-1985, a total of 305 renal autotransplantations (often with extracorporeal repair) were performed in 274 patients for fibromuscular (56) or atherosclerotic (98) renovascular disease, nephrolithiasis (97), renal tumor (15), or ureteral injury (8). One-third of the patients had reduced renal function, and approximately half of the patients with renovascular lesions presented with severe or malignant hypertension. The postoperative mortality rate of 4% was related to age over 60 years and reduced renal function. Postoperatively, 3.6% of the autografted kidneys were lost due to vascular thrombosis (7) or other causes (4). Twenty-five percent (69) of the patients had a solitary kidney. Two patients died postoperatively with functioning autografts. Long-term renal function remained stable in 60 patients, and deteriorated in 7. We conclude that autotransplantation and extracorporeal repair provide safe and efficient treatment for selected difficult renal lesions.

No abstract

No abstract

An MLC micro‐test is described, using micro‐plates with 0.15 × 106 responding cells and the same number of stimulating cells per well, in a volume of 0.2 ml. Studies on technical variation and biological reproducibility are reported, as well as the application of the test in related and unrelated combinations. The method was found to be reliable and to have satisfactory discriminative power in different allogeneic combinations. Furthermore, our technique could be used for “LD‐1 locus typing”.