Pax9 is required for cardiovascular development and interacts with Tbx1 in the pharyngeal endoderm to control 4th pharyngeal arch artery morphogenesis.

Developmental defects affecting the heart and aortic arch arteries are a significant phenotype observed in individuals with 22q11 deletion syndrome and are caused by a microdeletion on chromosome 22q11. TBX1, one of the deleted genes, is expressed throughout the pharyngeal arches and is considered a key gene, when mutated, for the arch artery defects. Pax9 is expressed in the pharyngeal endoderm and is downregulated in Tbx1 mutant mice. We show here that Pax9-deficient mice are born with complex cardiovascular malformations that affect the outflow tract and aortic arch arteries with failure of the 3rd and 4th pharyngeal arch arteries to form correctly. Transcriptome analysis indicated that Pax9 and Tbx1 may function together, and mice double heterozygous for Tbx1/Pax9 presented with a significantly increased incidence of interrupted aortic arch when compared with Tbx1 heterozygous mice. Using a novel Pax9Cre allele, we demonstrated that the site of this Tbx1-Pax9 genetic interaction is the pharyngeal endoderm, therefore revealing that a Tbx1-Pax9-controlled signalling mechanism emanating from the pharyngeal endoderm is required for crucial tissue interactions during normal morphogenesis of the pharyngeal arch artery system.

Indo-Canadian beliefs regarding organ donation.

CONTEXT: There is concern that a disproportionately high number of people of South Asian origin await transplantation in Canada. The donation rate is low in this population, and it is difficult to obtain good tissue matches. OBJECTIVE: To explore the values and beliefs regarding organ donation among Indo-Canadian people living in British Columbia. DESIGN: A naturalistic qualitative study was designed. Individual interviews and focus groups were held to collect data pertaining to beliefs regarding organ donation. SETTING: Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 40 Indo-Canadian persons participated; a wide range of ages, religions, and backgrounds were represented. RESULTS: The major themes that emerged from the data related to context (including family/community, religion, trust in the healthcare system, and knowledge about organ donation); and values and beliefs (including intergenerational considerations, death and dying, and the organ donation process). Participants noted that people from their community were reluctant to discuss death and relatedissues such as organ donation. Although there was recognition of the importance of individual decision making pertaining to organ donation, the participants believed that family and community members also should be involved. CONCLUSIONS: Beliefs varied considerably among participants, and one should not make assumptions about the beliefs of any one individual based primarily on that individual's membership in an ethnocultural community.

Chinese Canadian beliefs toward organ donation.

The authors' purpose in this study is to explore the values and beliefs regarding organ donation of Chinese Canadians. Data collection involved individual interviews (n = 15) and focus groups. The major organizing categories were the importance of context, and values and beliefs. The context included little knowledge about donation and possible influence of spiritual or cultural values. Lack of communication and the need to preserve an intact body were themes that emerged in relation to death and dying. In relation to organ donation, most participants thought it was "a noble deed," but fears about organ donation were similar to those reported in other studies. It is important to note the considerable diversity in beliefs among these participants.

Aboriginal beliefs about organ donation: some Coast Salish viewpoints.

A large number of Aboriginal people await transplantation, and reluctance to donate organs has been noted among Aboriginal people. The purpose of this study was to explore the values and beliefs regarding organ donation of Coast Salish people living in British Columbia, Canada. Interviews were held with 14 people (8 women and 6 men) ranging in age from 25 to 63 years. Contextual themes were: lack of trust, life in Aboriginal communities, and tension between contemporary and traditional perspectives. Themes pertaining to death and dying were: acceptance of fate, death routines/rituals, and body wholeness. Themes pertaining to organ donation were: "we don't talk about it," transfer of spirit, and helping others. There was considerable diversity in beliefs among participants, which suggests that the beliefs held by an individual Aboriginal person should not be assumed to reflect those of any specific Aboriginal community.