Transplantation proceedings
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There are no agreed criteria to predict the outcome of elderly donor kidneys or to decide between single (SKG) or dual (DKG) kidney graft transplantation. ⋯ With stringent selection criteria and short CIT (<16 hours), elderly donor kidneys may show good results, thus meaningfully expanding the donor pool.
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The firm refusal of blood transfusion treatment by Jehovah's Witnesses has always caused some discomfort to physicians. Two fundamental principles contained in the constitution of our own and other democratic countries specifically dictate that human rights are to be respected. No one may be forced to undergo any particular health treatment, save under the provisions of the law. ⋯ In this article, we briefly consider the roots of Jehovah's Witness beliefs and the principles that lie behind their refusal of blood. Furthermore, we consider which treatments may be accepted, and which are invariably refused. Last, we examine the progress of current scientific research into alternative methodologies and the position of Jehovah's Witnesses when a transfusion is not an option, but a necessity.