OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence, dynamics and profiles of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-directed antibodies developed after transplantation and their impact on graft rejection and outcome in kidney recipients. STUDY DESIGN Prospective follow-up study. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 56 kidney recipients were monitored at 1(st), 6(th) and 12(th) months for the ...

Inadequacy of environmental and infrastructural resources to satisfy basic needs results in deprivation among rural people which in most cases, rapid rural appraisal and other traditional survey methods rarely adequately capture. This paper employs therefore employs participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques to analyse these phenomena in Borno state. The objectives are to determine the seas...

OBJECTIVES We tested the hypothesis that pravastatin (PRA) activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). BACKGROUND Pravastatin has been found to have clinical benefits beyond those predicted by its actions in reducing plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Both PRA and simvastatin (SIM) are equally effective in reducing LDL, but only PRA reduces platelet aggregation and is a...

Featured Article: Fyhrquist F, Soveri P, Puutula L, Stenman U-H. Radioimmunoassay of plasma renin activity. Clin Chem 1976;22:250 – 6. In the early 1970s there was a growing need for reliable and clinically useful methods for the determination of the activity of the renin-angiotensin system. Bioassay methods for renin activity, although valuable in early research, were too cumbersome and unreli...

In this paper, we explore the methodologies underpinning two participatory research collaborations with Australian non-profit organisations that aimed to build data capability and social benefit in use. We suggest studying intervening practices situ, is, organisational settings expands opportunities for improving value of data. These situated collaborative approaches not only address ‘expertise...

BACKGROUND Introduction of the Luminex panel reactive antibody (PRA)-single antigen (SA) assay has increased the detection rates of unacceptable antigens in sensitized patients; the calculated PRA (CPRA) level represents the percentage of actual organ donors that express 1 or more of these unacceptable antigens. We developed a CPRA calculator based on the HLA frequencies in Koreans to measure s...

BACKGROUND Skilled attendance at delivery is critical in prevention of maternal deaths. However, many women in low- and middle-income countries still deliver without skilled assistance. This study was carried out to identify perceived barriers to utilisation of institutional delivery in two districts in Karamoja, Uganda. METHODS Data were collected through participatory rural appraisal (PRA) ...