The objective of this study was to assess the cost-utility of renal transplantation compared with dialysis. To accomplish this, a prospective cohort of pre-transplant patients were followed for up to two years after renal transplantation at three University-based Canadian hospitals. A total of 168 patients were followed for an average of 19.5 months after transplantation. Health-related quality of life was assessed using a hemodialysis questionnaire, a transplant questionnaire, the Sickness Impact Profile, and the Time Trade-Off Technique. Fully allocated costs were determined by prospectively recording resource use in all patients. A societal perspective was taken. By six months after transplantation, the mean health-related quality of life scores of almost all measures had improved compared to pre-transplantation, and they stayed improved throughout the two years of follow up. The mean time trade-off score was 0.57 pre-transplant and 0.70 two years after transplantation. The proportion of individuals employed increased from 30% before transplantation to 45% two years after transplantation. Employment prior to transplantation [relative risk (RR) = 23], graft function (RR 10) and age (RR 1.6 for every decrease in age by one decade), independently predicted employment status after transplantation. The cost of pre-transplant care ($66,782 Can 1994) and the cost of the first year after transplantation ($66,290) were similar. Transplantation was considerably less expensive during the second year after transplantation ($27,875). Over the two years, transplantation was both more effective and less costly than dialysis. This was true for all subgroups of patients examined, including patients older than 60 and diabetics. We conclude that renal transplantation was more effective and less costly than dialysis in all subgroups of patients examined.

A group of renal pathologists, nephrologists, and transplant surgeons met in Banff, Canada on August 2-4, 1991 to develop a schema for international standardization of nomenclature and criteria for the histologic diagnosis of renal allograft rejection. Development continued after the meeting and the schema was validated by the circulation of sets of slides for scoring by participant pathologists. In this schema intimal arteritis and tubulitis are the principal lesions indicative of acute rejection. Glomerular, interstitial, tubular, and vascular lesions of acute rejection and "chronic rejection" are defined and scored 0 to 3+, to produce an acute and/or chronic numerical coding for each biopsy. Arteriolar hyalinosis (an indication of cyclosporine toxicity) is also scored. Principal diagnostic categories, which can be used with or without the quantitative coding, are: (1) normal, (2) hyperacute rejection, (3) borderline changes, (4) acute rejection (grade I to III), (5) chronic allograft nephropathy ("chronic rejection") (grade I to III), and (6) other. The goal is to devise a schema in which a given biopsy grading would imply a prognosis for a therapeutic response or long-term function. While the clinical implications must be proven through further studies, the development of a standardized schema is a critical first step. This standardized classification should promote international uniformity in reporting of renal allograft pathology, facilitate the performance of multicenter trials of new therapies in renal transplantation, and ultimately lead to improvement in the management and care of renal transplant recipients.

New onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) is a serious complication of transplantation. This meta-analysis evaluates the reported incidence of NODM after solid organ transplantation in patients receiving CNI treatment.Databases from January 1992 to April 2002 were searched. Fifty-six publications providing NODM incidence data were reviewed. Sixteen prospective, randomized comparative studies providing information on incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were subjected to meta-analysis.New onset diabetes mellitus was reported in 13.4% of patients after solid organ transplantation, with a higher incidence in patients receiving tacrolimus than cyclosporine (16.6% vs. 9.8%). This trend was observed across renal, liver, heart and lung transplant groups. Meta-analysis of 16 studies included patients receiving either tacrolimus (n = = 1636) or cyclosporine (n = = 1407). The incidence of IDDM was significantly higher among tacrolimus-treated patients (10.4% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.00001), an effect observed in renal (9.8% vs. 2.7% p < 0.00001) and nonrenal (11.1% vs. 6.2%; p < 0.003) groups, and among patients receiving equal doses of concomitant medication in both treatment arms (12.0% vs. 3.0%; p < 0.00001).The reported incidence of NODM during the past decade was significantly higher among patients receiving tacrolimus than cyclosporine. These data provide a quantitative foundation for studies designed to reduce the rates of NODM following solid organ transplantation.

There was no difference in the incidence of treatment failure between the concentration-controlled and the fixed-dose groups. The applied protocol of MMF dose adjustments based on target MPA exposure was not successful, partly because physicians seemed reluctant to implement substantial dose changes. Current initial MMF doses underexpose more than 35% of patients early after transplantation, increasing the risk for BPAR.

The objective of the international Chromosome-Centric Human Proteome Project (C-HPP) is to map and annotate all proteins encoded by the genes on each human chromosome. The C-HPP consortium was established to organize a collaborative network among the research teams responsible for protein mapping of individual chromosomes and to identify compelling biological and genetic mechanisms influencing colocated genes and their protein products. The C-HPP aims to foster the development of proteome analysis and integration of the findings from related molecular -omics technology platforms through collaborations among universities, industries, and private research groups. The C-HPP consortium leadership has elicited broad input for standard guidelines to manage these international efforts more efficiently by mobilizing existing resources and collaborative networks. The C-HPP guidelines set out the collaborative consensus of the C-HPP teams, introduce topics associated with experimental approaches, data production, quality control, treatment, and transparency of data, governance of the consortium, and collaborative benefits. A companion approach for the Biology and Disease-Driven HPP (B/D-HPP) component of the Human Proteome Project is currently being organized, building upon the Human Proteome Organization's organ-based and biofluid-based initiatives (www.hupo.org/research). The common application of these guidelines in the participating laboratories is expected to facilitate the goal of a comprehensive analysis of the human proteome.