eGFR [aMDRD] was calculated a posteriori and was adjusted using a multiplying factor depending on dosage method of creatinine (all methods except colorimetric). The most recent graft biopsy obtained prior to the data collection visit was analyzed centrally based on Banff 2005 criteria [14]. Four pathology experts evaluated all centrally read Alvespimycin biopsy Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries samples. Adequate quality was accepted for specimens with equal or more than 10 glomeruli and two arteries. Intermediate quality was retained for specimen with equal or more than seven glomeruli and one artery. Inadequate biopsy samples (less than seven glomeruli, and less than two vascular sections) were excluded from central Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries analysis. C4d results were obtained locally. 2.4.

Statistical Analysis Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries The sample size calculation indicated that 155 patients with SB and 138 patients without SB would Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries be required to reach an absolute precision of ��3mL/min/1.73m2 of the 95% confidence interval of eGFR at month 18 posttransplant in both groups assuming a standard deviation Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries (SD) of 17mL/min/1.73m2 and allowing for 20% of patients in the SB group and 10% in the NSB group being excluded due to inadequate biopsy samples (nQuery Advisor 4.0, Statistical Solutions, Saugus, MA, USA). Renal function parameters were compared between-groups using Students t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Other between groups comparisons were performed with the Chi squared, Fisher or Wilcoxon test. Factors associated with the presence of IF/TA grade II or III on univariate analysis (P < 0.1) were included as covariates in a multivariate logistic analysis.

Statistical analyses were performed using SAS v8.2 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). 3. Results 3.1. Patients and Immunosuppression A total of 292 patients were eligible for analysis, of whom 154 underwent a 12-month SB whereas there were 138 patients in the NSB group. Among the NSB patients, 127 had no biopsy, and 11 had a diagnostic biopsy. Baseline Brefeldin_A characteristics were similar in the groups of patients with SB or NSB other than a lower incidence of panel reactive antibodies in the range 31�C80%, HLA incompatibilities, reduced use of induction therapy, and fewer patients with diabetes in the SB group (Table 1). Table 1 Baseline characteristics. In both groups, patients received similar exposure to CNIs throughout the study. At month 12, the proportion of patients receiving cyclosporine was 26.6% (n = 41) and 26.8% (n = 37) in the SB and NSB groups, respectively (P = 0.97). Tacrolimus was administered in all remaining patients.