Human immunology studies using organ donors: Impact of clinical variations on immune parameters in tissues and circulation.

Organ donors are sources of physiologically healthy organs and tissues for life-saving transplantation, and have been recently used for human immunology studies which are typically confined to the sampling of peripheral blood. Donors comprise a diverse population with different causes of death and clinical outcomes during hospitalization, and the effects of such variations on immune parameters in blood and tissues are not known. We present here a coordinate analysis of innate and adaptive immune components in blood, lymphoid (bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes), and mucosal (lungs, intestines) sites from a population of brain-dead organ donors (2 months-93 years; n = 291) across eight clinical parameters. Overall, the blood of donors exhibited similar monocyte and lymphocyte content and low serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines as healthy controls; however, donor blood had increased neutrophils and serum levels of IL-8, IL-6, and MCP-1 which varied with cause of death. In tissues, the frequency and composition of monocytes, neutrophils, B lymphocytes and T cell subsets in lymphoid or mucosal sites did not vary with clinical state, and was similar in donors independent of the extent of clinical complications. Our results reveal that organ donors maintain tissue homeostasis, and are a valuable resource for fundamental studies in human immunology.

Assessment of wetland/upland vegetation communities and evaluation of soil-plant contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace metals in regions near oil sands mining in Alberta.

Oil sands mining in Alberta, Canada, has been steadily increasing over the last 50years. The extent to which the surrounding vegetation has been altered/contaminated by pollutants released during bitumen extraction has not been a focus of oil sands environmental monitoring efforts. The objectives of this study were to assess plant species richness and composition in wetlands and uplands in the vicinity of oil sands mining areas and to measure levels of contamination of trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils and plants. Twenty-two sites were selected in three locations: near to (OS, n=7), West (n=7), and East (n=8) of oil sands mining operations. Aboveground plant species were inventoried and soil was collected for a seedbank study. Soils and plants were collected for analyses of 28 metals and 40 parent and alkylated PAHs. Plant species richness and composition differed significantly among locations. More species were found in the OS sites, many of them being non-native, than in East and West sites, which contained almost exclusively native perennials. PAH levels were significantly higher in OS sites, and were mostly comprised of alkylated PAHs. Patterns of PAH distribution indicated contamination from bitumen/petroleum in four sites; other combustion types may have affected five additional sites at different levels. Metals were also elevated in OS sites. Metal levels were significantly correlated with distance to upgrader facilities. Ratios of some metals in soil vs. above- and belowground plant parts were significantly higher in West and East than in OS sites, likely due in part to pH as soil was acidic at the East and West locations but alkaline at OS sites. This study showed that sites located near oil sands mining operations were contaminated with PAHs and metals, and that the vegetation composition at these sites greatly differed from less disturbed areas.

Combined Percutaneous Transrenal and Transfemoral Endovascular Recanalization and Angioplastic Reconstruction of a Disrupted Transplant Renal Artery Stent: A Novel Salvage Technique.

Renal artery stenosis is the most common vascular complication following renal transplantation. Percutaneous endovascular transluminal angioplasty with stenting is the treatment of choice for clinically significant renal artery stenosis. The authors present a case describing a novel combined transrenal parenchyma and transfemoral approach to repairing a disrupted transplant renal artery stent. The patient's allograft renal artery stenosis was initially managed via the standard percutaneous approach, but during follow-up the stent became disrupted and crushed, causing partial occlusion of the renal artery. This was manifested by persistently elevated serum creatinine values, lower extremity edema, and four-medication hypertension. After a failed traditional percutaneous transfemoral attempt, the authors were able to successfully access the renal arterial system via a combined transrenal and transfemoral approach, using an upper-pole artery through the renal parenchyma. This transrenal approach used a 3 Fr system, allowing the authors to get a wire across the stent, which they were previously unable to do. With wire access, they performed a balloon angioplastic reconstruction to restore the stent's patency, resulting in a reduction in serum creatinine, lower extremity edema, and blood pressure. This technique avoided a potentially difficult reoperative repair without immediate complication and provides a method for vascular access to the renal arterial system in select patients.

Evaluating trivalent chromium toxicity on wild terrestrial and wetland plants.

Elevated chromium levels in soil from mining can impact the environment, including plants. Mining of chromium is concentrated in South Africa, several Asian countries, and potentially in Northern Ontario, Canada, raising concerns since chromium toxicity to wild plants is poorly understood. In the first experiment, concentration-response tests were conducted to evaluate effects of chromium on terrestrial and wetland plants. Following established guidelines using artificial soil, seeds of 32 species were exposed to chromium (Cr(3+)) at concentrations simulating contamination (0-1000 mg kg(-1)). This study found that low levels of chromium (250 mg kg(-1)) adversely affected the germination of 22% of species (33% of all families), while higher levels (500 and 1000 mg kg(-1)) affected 69% and 94% of species, respectively, from 89% of the families. Secondly, effects on seedbanks were studied using soil collected in Northern Ontario and exposed to Cr(3+) at equivalent concentrations (0-1000 mg kg(-1)). Effects were less severe in the seedbank study with significant differences only observed at 1000 mg kg(-1). Seeds exposed to Cr(3+) during stratification were greatly affected. Seed size was a contributing factor as was possibly the seed coat barrier. This study represents an initial step in understanding Cr(3+) toxicity on wild plants and could form the basis for future risk assessments.

Effectiveness of a videotaped behavioral intervention for dental anxiety: the role of gender and the need for information.

The authors evaluated the effectiveness of a videotaped behavioral treatment program in reducing dental anxiety. They compared patients who witnessed the intervention videotape with patients who saw a placebo program and with a no-treatment control group. The subjects were 66 patients who visited a dentistry clinic for prophylaxis and general dental treatment. Groups were balanced for gender and level of preference for information as measured by the Krantz Health Opinion Survey--Information subscale. Self-report, physiological, and observed behavioral measures were assessed at specified times. Results demonstrated significant Group X Gender interaction effects during the different assessment periods, with men responding best to the treatment videotape, whereas women responded best to the placebo videotape. The level of information preference was found to a be a significant contributing factor at certain assessment periods. Overall, these results suggest that preparatory videotaped interventions are particularly effective in decreasing dental anxiety when patient characteristics are matched with characteristics of the intervention.

Post-graduate initiatives in pre-registration nursing education: a case study in curriculum development.

The authors traces the development of plans to provide special schemes of training for graduate recruits to a Project 2000 course. The plans are shown to be founded in earlier curriculum development associated with the 1982 syllabus for mental nursing.

The public health significance of trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) in Nigeria.

Although trypanosomiasis is no longer a major public health problem in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it nevertheless remains a significant economic bane to farmers whose livestock suffer high morbidity and mortality and a significant loss of weight. This disease probably leaves many Nigerians, without adequate protein intake either from lost beef or from the inability of the cattle to produce milk. Ford (1970) stated that trypanosomiasis may be what is holding back the development of large areas of Africa--a statement which has credence especially when viewed in terms of the thousands of square miles of Nigeria which remain under the infestation of tsetse--land which could be employed in food production. It is therefore important that the history, epidemiology and control methods for this disease be reviewed from time to time in an attempt to ensure that the surveillance mechanisms in place are functional.