Synthesis, characterization and thermoluminescence properties of MgB4O7 phosphor co-doped with Tm and Dy.

The luminescent and dosimetric properties of the MgB4O7 phosphor co-doped with Tm and Dy ions (MgB4O7:Tm,Dy) obtained by the solution combustion technique were investigated. With the prepared material, sintered dosimeters in pellet form were made. The MgB4O7 dosimeters doped with Tm and Dy with 0.25 and 0.10 mol% respectively and sintered at 1223 K for 3 h showed a sensitivity almost 11 times greater than the sensitivity of the TLD-100 commercial dosimeter. The TL response as a function of the gamma dose showed linearity up to 50 Gy followed by a supralinearity region and, above 500 Gy, the saturation region of the electron traps is reached. The fading of the main TL peak was negligible in the first five days after irradiation reaching 13% after 60 days and the lower detection limit was 43 µGy. The kinetic parameters were determined using the deconvolution method revealing general and second order kinetics. The morphology, crystallography and photoluminescence of the prepared phosphor samples are also reported.

Influence of docosahexaenoic acid on the interfacial behavior of cholesterol-containing lipid membranes: Interactions with small amphiphiles and hydration properties.

Cholesterol is known to significantly modify both the structural and the dynamical properties of lipid membranes. On one side, the presence of free cholesterol molecules has been determined to stiffen the membrane bilayer by stretching the hydrophobic tails. Additionally, recent experimental and computational findings have made evident the fact that cholesterol also alters the dynamics and the hydration properties of the polar head groups of DPPC model lipid membranes. In turn, we have recently shown that the Omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, counteracts the effect of cholesterol on DPPC membrane's mechanical properties by fluidizing the bilayer. However, such behavior represents in fact a global outcome dominated by the larger lipid hydrophobic tails that neither discriminates between the different parts of the membrane nor elucidates the effect on membrane hydration and binding properties. Thus, we now perform molecular dynamics simulations to scrutinize the influence of DHA on the interfacial behavior of cholesterol-containing lipid membranes by characterizing their hydration properties and their binding to amphiphiles. We find that while cholesterol destabilizes interactions with amphiphiles and slightly weakens the lipid's hydration layer, the incorporation of DHA practically restores the interfacial behavior of pure DPPC.

Iron intake in relation to ovarian reserve among women seeking infertility treatment.

STUDY QUESTION: Is there an association between iron intake and ovarian reserve among women seeking fertility care? SUMMARY ANSWER: Supplemental iron intake above 45 mg/day is associated with lower ovarian reserve among women seeking fertility care. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Although the literature regarding iron intake in relation to ovarian reserve is scant and inconsistent, some evidence suggests that iron may have gonadotoxic effects. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This observational study included 582 female participants attending the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center (2007-2019) enrolled in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Iron intake was estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Markers of ovarian reserve included antral follicle count (AFC) (assessed via transvaginal ultrasound) and Day 3 FSH, both obtained during the course of an infertility evaluation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Participants had a median age of 35 years and median total iron intake of 29 mg/day. Total iron intake was inversely related to AFC and this association was driven by intake of supplemental iron. Compared to women with a supplemental iron intake of ≤20 mg/day, women consuming 45-64 mg/day of supplemental iron had a 17% (-35%, 0.3%) lower AFC and women consuming ≥65 mg/day of supplemental iron had a 32% (-54%, -11%) lower AFC after adjusting for potential confounders (P, linear trend = 0.003). Similarly, in a multivariable-adjusted analysis, Day 3 FSH levels were 0.9 (0.5, 1.3) IU/ml higher among women with a supplemental iron intake of ≥65 mg/day when compared to women with a supplemental iron intake of ≤20 mg/day (P, linear trend = 0.02). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Iron intake was estimated using a method that relies on self-report and we had no biomarkers of iron status in our participants; only 36 women consumed ≥45 mg/day of supplemental iron. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Since all study participants were seeking fertility treatment, our findings may not apply to women in the general population. Although our findings are consistent with studies of women with iron overload, given the paucity of literature on this topic, it is essential that this question is revisited in studies designed to better understand the dose-response relation of this association across the entire distribution of ovarian reserve and the risk-benefit balance of pre-conceptional iron supplementation given its many positive effects on pregnancy outcomes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The project was funded by Grants R01ES022955, R01ES033651, R01ES009718, P30ES000002, and P30DK046200 from the National Institutes of Health. N.J.-C. was supported by a Fulbright Scholarship. N.J.-C., M.M., L.M.-A., E.O.-P., S.W., I.S., and J.E.C. declare no conflict of interest related to the work in the manuscript. R.H. has received grants from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Longitudinal association of prepubertal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with pubertal progression among a cohort of boys.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have reported associations of anti-androgenic phthalate metabolite concentrations with later onset of male puberty, but few have assessed associations with progression. OBJECTIVES: We examined the association of prepubertal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with trajectories of pubertal progression among Russian boys. METHODS: At enrollment (ages 8-9 years), medical history, dietary, and demographic information were collected. At entry and annually to age 19 years, physical examinations including testicular volume (TV) were performed and spot urines collected. Each boy's prepubertal urine samples were pooled, and 15 phthalate metabolites were quantified by isotope dilution LC-MS/MS at Moscow State University. Metabolites of anti-androgenic parent phthalates were included: butylbenzyl (BBzP), di-n-butyl (DnBP), diisobutyl (DiBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP) and diisononyl (DiNP) phthalates. We calculated the molar sums of DEHP, DiNP, and all AAP metabolites. We used group-based trajectory models (GBTMs) to identify subgroups of boys who followed similar pubertal trajectories from ages 8-19 years based on annual TV. We used multinomial and ordinal regression models to evaluate whether prepubertal log-transformed phthalate metabolite concentrations were associated with slower or faster pubertal progression trajectories, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: 304 boys contributed a total of 752 prepubertal urine samples (median 2, range: 1-6) for creation of individual pools. The median length of follow-up was 10.0 years; 79% of boys were followed beyond age 15. We identified three pubertal progression groups: slower (34%), moderate (43%), and faster (23%) progression. A standard deviation increase in urinary log-monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) concentrations was associated with higher adjusted odds of being in the slow versus faster pubertal progression trajectory (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.06-2.04). None of the other phthalate metabolites were associated with pubertal progression. CONCLUSIONS: On average, boys with higher concentrations of prepubertal urinary MBzP had a slower tempo of pubertal progression, perhaps attributable to the disruption of androgen-dependent biological pathways.

Xenotransplantation and Risks: The Opinion of Veterinary Students at Spanish Universities.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the perception of the risks associated with xenotransplant, especially among professionals who will contribute to the care of the animals, is important for xenotransplant to become a clinical reality. The objective of this study was to analyze opinions regarding the risks of organ xenotransplant among veterinary university students in Spain. METHODS: The study population was 2683 veterinary students from different courses and universities in Spain. Instrument valuation: Validated self-administered questionnaire completed anonymously (PCID-XENOTx-Ríos). Consent to collaborate in the study was requested. Variables for the study: attitude toward xenotransplant and risks (infectious, immunologic, ethical/moral, philosophical, religious, other unspecified risks). STATISTICS: descriptive analysis, Student t test, χ2 test, and Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Of the total number of respondents, 2646 students answered this question, with a completion rate of 98.6%. They considered immunologic risk 78.4% (n = 2074), infectious risk 48.6% (n = 1286), ethical/moral risk 10.7% (n = 284), philosophical risk 5.2% (n = 137), religious risk 1.5% (n = 40), and other risks 3.9% (n = 104). Significant relationships were observed between immunologic risks (P < .001), ethical/moral risks (P < .001), and other risks (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the consideration of different types of risks, the favorable attitude toward xenotransplant among veterinary students at Spanish universities is highly prevalent, and evidence-based information campaigns on the different risks associated with xenotransplant are important.

Luminescence and kinetics parameters of high sensitivity MgB4O7 phosphor co-doped with Tm and Dy.

This work reports the luminescence and kinetics parameters of high sensitivity MgB4O7 phosphor co-doped with Tm and Dy ions (MgB4O7:Tm,Dy) obtained by the solution combustion technique. With the obtained material, sintered dosimeters in form of discs were made and subjected to 1223 K for 3 h and exposed to gamma radiation from a60Co source. It was found that these dosimeters show a sensitivity approximately 10 times higher than that shown by the commercial dosimeter TLD-100 (LiF:Mg,Ti). The kinetic parameters from three samples with different concentration of dopants were determined using the initial rise, peak shape and deconvolution methods. Initial rise and peak shape methods showed lower values than those found by the deconvolution method for the main peak (Peak 1). MgB4O7:Tm, Dy shows a wide linearity interval of TL response with respect to gamma dose and low coefficient of variability (1.5%). These results suggest that this new high sensitivity phosphor could be a promising material to be used in clinical dosimetry.

A certain proportion of docosahexaenoic acid tends to revert structural and dynamical effects of cholesterol on lipid membranes.

This work investigates how docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) modifies the effect of Cholesterol (Chol) on the structural and dynamical properties of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) membrane. We employ low-cost and non-invasive methods: zeta potential (ZP), conductivity, density, and ultrasound velocity, complemented by molecular dynamics simulations. Our studies reveal that 30% of DHA added to the DPPC-Chol system tends to revert Chol action on a model lipid bilayer. Results obtained in this work shed light on the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids - particularly DHA - on lipid membranes, with potential preventive applications in many diseases, e.g. neuronal as, Alzheimer's disease, and viral, as Covid-19.

Effect of cholesterol on the hydration properties of ester and ether lipid membrane interphases.

Fluorescence spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics results show that cholesterol reduces water along the chains in ether lipids by changing the water distribution pattern between tightly and loosely bound water molecules. Water distribution was followed by emission spectra and generalized polarization of 6-dodecanoyl-2-dimethyl aminonaphthalene (Laurdan) inserted in 1,2-dimiristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and 1,2-di-O-tetradecyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (14: 0 Diether PC) membranes. Molecular Dynamics simulations indicate that the action of cholesterol could be different in ether PC in comparison to ester PC. In addition, Cholesterol seems to act "per se" as an additional hydration center in ether lipids. Regardless of the phase state, cholesterol both in DMPC and 14:0 Diether PC vesicles, changed the distribution of water molecules decreasing the dipole relaxation of the lipid interphase generating an increase in the non-relaxable population. Above 10% Cholesterol/14:0 Diether PC ratio vesicles' interphase present an environment around Laurdan molecules similar to that corresponding to ester PC.

Effect of sintering temperature on sensitivity of MgB4O7:Tm,Ag obtained by the solution combustion method.

Borates are appropriate TL materials for radiation dosimetry, because of their equivalence with tissue. Magnesium borate is a tissue equivalent material and its most important advantage over lithium borate, is that this material is insoluble in water. In this work the effect of sintering temperature on the sensitivity of magnesium borate obtained by the solution combustion technique is presented. The results showed that the material doped with Tm and Ag, subjected to 1223 K, for 3 h, had a sensitivity between two and four times higher than that of the commercial dosimeter TLD-100 making it highly appropriate for applications in clinical dosimetry.

Interaction of hydroxy-xanthones with phosphatidylcholines: The effector decreases compressibility and increases the fluidity of membranes.

This work reports the effect of hydroxy-xanthones (XAs) on 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and 1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) bilayers as determined by ultrasound velocimetry, densimetry and molecular dynamics simulations. XAs with different number of hydroxyl group were studied. Experimental results, in good agreement with molecular dynamics simulations, revealed that the presence of XAs in the systems studied increases fluidity while simultaneously decreses the compressibility of both membranes. This ´apparent contradiction´ ceases to exist when the particular geometrical structure of the xanthones is taken into account: the planar shape of their fused aromatic rings might allow them to pack efficiently among the hydrocarbon tails of the lipids, thus decreasing compressibility, while their presence weakens or disrupts methylene-methylene interchain interactions, thus increasing membrane fluidity and decreasing their melting temperature.

Dosimetric properties of Li2B4O7:Cu,Ag,P solid detector.

This work presents results obtained following the preparation of lithium borate by the chemical reaction between lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) and boric acid (H3BO3), doping the host salt of lithium borate (Li2B4O7) with ions of copper, silver and phosphorus. With the obtained material dosimeters were produced in sintered pellet form which were exposed by gamma radiation that emitted from 60Co source. The highest sensitivity was found for the sample of Li2B4O7:Cu,Ag,P (in pellet form) with 0.45, 0.45 and 12 mol% of Cu, Ag and P, respectively, subjected to a thermal treatment at 1123 K during 2 h. The TL response shows linearity in the dose range from 0.005 to 100 Gy. The lower detection limit (LDL) was equal to 6.10 µGy. The fading was found to be 3% in the first ten days and 9% at the end of thirty days. The repeatability of TL measurements for twenty cycles, showed a variability coefficient equal to 4.15%. The glow curve shape of Li2B4O7:Cu,Ag,P sintered pellet shows two peaks with general-kinetics order. This new material could be appropriate for dosimetry in clinical radiation applications.

Utilidad de la PET/TC con 18F-FDG en el diagnóstico de la encefalitis límbica paraneoplásica / Use of PET/CT with 18F-FDG in the diagnosis of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis

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Psoas Muscle Index Does Not Predict Post-Transplant Outcomes: A Series of 57 Liver Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is defined as the loss of muscle mass and function. Our aim is to evaluate the degree of sarcopenia by measuring the patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation and its influence on the different post-liver transplant outcomes in our group. METHODS: The psoas muscle index (PMI, cm2/m2) was calculated (right psoas muscle area [cm2]/the square of the body height [m2]) in 57 patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation in our center, and the post-transplant variables relevant to our study were collected. RESULTS: The 57 recipients had a mean age of 57 years (range, 35-73) and had a mean of 7.4 months (range, 0-39) on the liver transplant waiting list. The mean psoas muscle index was 2.39 (range, 1-4), and the mean body mass index was 28.01kg/m2 (range, 22-36). After multivariate analysis we found a positive correlation between the PMI and the body mass index of the recipients (r = 0.320, P = .017), intensive care unit length of stay, and donor age (r = 0.319, P = .042), and between cold ischemia time and graft survival (r = 0.366, P = .009). We found no correlation in our sample between PMI and post-liver transplant complications either in terms of graft or patient survival. CONCLUSION: PMI is not representative of total muscle mass and sarcopenia and is not effective in adequately predicting the survival of patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation.

Impact of Hepatic Artery Thrombosis on the Success of a Liver Transplant Because of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery thrombosis is one of the most serious complications after liver transplant. Our objective is to evaluate the impact of arterial thrombosis on the postoperative evolution of a series of patients who received transplants because of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective study of 100 consecutive hepatocellular carcinoma liver transplants was performed from January 2011 to November 2017. RESULTS: Of the 100 transplant recipients, we have observed hepatic artery thrombosis in 4 of them, 3 premature and 1 delayed. All of them received retransplants after diagnosis by hepatic artery ultrasonography and arteriography. The descriptive analysis showed a significant relationship between the appearance of hepatic artery thrombosis with variables of postoperative severity, such as arrhythmias, atelectasis, pleural effusion, hemodialysis requirement, acute kidney failure, and respiratory failure. Although patients with hepatic artery thrombosis had a longer mean hospital stay, this was not statistically significant. There was decreased graft survival and overall survival of patients who experienced hepatic artery thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Although the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis has been relatively low (4%), the early detection of risk factors, such as arterial anatomic anomalies that condition a complex anastomosis, should draw our attention, thus having at our disposal strict ultrasonography and arteriography surveillance protocols as well as prophylactic anticoagulation guidelines for receptors at risk.

Information About Donation and Organ Transplantation Among Spanish Medical Students.

INTRODUCTION: Health professionals are asked to promote health, especially organ transplantation; however, they do not always have specific training. OBJECTIVE: To analyze information about donation and organ transplantation among Spanish medical students. METHOD: The population under study is medical students in Spanish universities using the database of the International Donor Collaborative Project, stratified by geographic area and academic year (n = 9275). The instrument used is the attitude questionnaire for organ donation for "PCID-DTO-Ríos" transplantation, validated with an explained variance of 63.203% and α = 0.834. The Student t test was applied together with the χ2 test, complemented by an analysis of the remainders, and Fisher's exact test was applied. RESULTS: Of the students, 74% indicate that they have received information from university professors about organ transplant. Concerning specific issues with the donation, it is notable that only 66.7% (n = 6190) know and accept the concept of brain death as the death of a person. However, only 22% consider themselves as having good information, and 35.3% indicate that their information is scarce or void. Students indicate having received information about transplant from other extra-university sources, such as television and Internet (80.9%), books and magazines (73.2%), and the press (66.9%). From the information obtained in the sociofamilial field, 60.7% have obtained information from the family and 58.1% from friends. Of this information, 9% has been negative from friends, 7.5% from family, 6% from the Internet and television, and 4% from university professors. CONCLUSION: Spanish medical students believe they have little information about organ transplantation and have received negative information.

Are Medical Students of Non-Spanish Nationality Studying in Spain as Sensitized to Transplantation as Those of Spanish Nationality?

INTRODUCTION: Awareness of organ donation among Spanish doctors and medical students is very positive. However, the emerging group of professionals of non-Spanish nationality studying in Spain has not been analyzed. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differences in the attitudes toward the different types of donation among medical students, according to their nationality. METHODS: The population under study is medical students in Spanish universities using the database of the International Collaborative Donor Project, stratified by geographic area and academic year. Groups under study include students of non-Spanish nationality as group 1 (n = 1570) and students of Spanish nationality as Group 2 (n = 7705). Instruments are validated questionnaires of attitude toward donation "PCID-DTO-Ríos," "PCID-DVR-Ríos," "PCID-DVH-Ríos," and "PCID-XenoTx-Ríos." RESULTS: The attitude toward the donation of own organs after death is similar in both groups (P = .703). Non-Spaniards are 79.2% in favor compared to 79.6% of Spaniards. Living kidney donation, both unrelated (33.3% vs 29.3% in favor; P = .001) and related (91.2% vs 89, 6% in favor; P = .047), is more favorable among non-Spanish students. There are no differences regarding non-related living liver donation (29.7% vs 29.3% in favor; P = .063), but there are differences in the results for related living liver donation (94.1% vs 88%; P < .001). The attitude toward xenotransplantation of organs is similar (80.8% vs 80.8%; P = .999). CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of the donation of organs among Spanish medical students is similar to non-Spanish students studying in Spain, except the attitude toward living donation.

Factors Related to the Attitude Toward Living Kidney Donation of the Population of Havana.

INTRODUCTION: Living kidney donation (LKD) is one of the most used alternatives in the field of organ transplantation. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the attitude toward LKD among the population of Havana, Cuba. METHODS: Population under study. Population resident in Havana, Cuba. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Sample of population over 15 years stratified by age and sex. INSTRUMENT: Validated questionnaire of attitude toward donation and transplant "PCID-DVR-Ríos," self-administered and anonymously filled out. STATISTICS: χ2, Student t test, and a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 920 respondents have been included in the study. A total of 85.5% (n = 787) are in favor of the related LKD. In our study, 26.5% (n = 244) would remain in favor of unrelated LKD. Regarding the related LKD, the following variables remain independent in the multivariate analysis: 1. having studies (odds ratio [OR] = 3.649; P = .018); 2. attitude toward cadaveric organ donation (OR = 8.547; P < .001); 3. religion (OR = 4.385; P = .001); 4. opinion of the couple (OR = 4.672; P = .028); and 5. risk with living donation (OR = 10.989; P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: The population of Havana has a very favorable attitude toward related LKD. Only a quarter of respondents are in favor of unrelated LKD.

What Reasons Lead Spanish Medical Students Not to Be in Favor of Organ Donation?

INTRODUCTION: Despite sensitization of medical students toward the donation of organs, a non-negligible percentage of students are not in favor of donation. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the reasons of Spanish medical students who do not have a favorable attitude toward the donation of their own organs after death. METHOD: The population under study is medical students in Spanish universities, using the database of the International Donor Collaborative Project, stratified by geographic area and academic year. The questionnaire completion was anonymous and self-administered. The study group is medical students with an unfavorable attitude toward organ donation. The assessment instrument used is a validated questionnaire of attitude toward the donation of organs for transplant, "PCID-DTO-Ríos." The reasons against the donation are valued in the questionnaire through a question. RESULTS: Of the participants included in the PCID, students who are not in favor of organ donation were selected (n = 1899). Of them, 8.1% (n = 154) are against and 91.1% (n = 1745) are doubtful. The main reasons indicated are the fear of apparent death in 11.4% of respondents, fear of possible mutilation after donation in 11.1%, and religious reasons in 2.6%. Of those, 6.9% indicate other reasons but do not clearly specify the reasons, using words such as "fear" (2.5%) or "doubts about the process" (4.1%); 66.2% (n = 1257) indicated an "assertive refusal" ("I don't want to express my reasons"). CONCLUSION: Twenty percent of Spanish medical students are not in favor of donating their organs and are not in favor of showing their reasons.

Knowledge of the Brain Death Concept Among Older People.

BACKGROUND: The concept of brain death (BD) is not well understood in the general population; this lack of knowledge is one of the main factors that generates an attitude against organ donation. Older people are a population group that has rarely been studied in relation to organ donation and transplantation (ODT), and it is important to investigate the most important aspects of ODT, such as people's concept of BD. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the level of understanding of the concept of BD in people > 65 years of age and the factors that influence their mode of thinking. METHODS: A multicenter study was carried out with a representative sample of people > 65 years of age, stratified by sex and geographic location in the southeast of Spain (n = 420). Knowledge of BD as well as the influence of other variables were analyzed through a validated questionnaire about ODT. SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, United States) software was used for statistical analysis. Descriptive analysis included Student t test and the χ2 test. RESULTS: The questionnaire had a completion rate of 84% (n = 351). In 36% (n = 127) of cases, people ˃ 65 years of age understood the concept of BD. In general, knowledge of this concept has not been associated with other variables including social-family interaction about ODT (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Older people do not understand the concept of BD. It is, therefore, necessary to carry out informative campaigns on ODT explaining this concept. This would improve organ donation awareness in this particular group of people.

The Influence of Mass Media on Organ Donation and Transplantation in Older People.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide population aging has resulted in changes in the approach to the organ donation and transplantation (ODT) process, forcing us to include older people on transplant waiting lists and to assess older patients as potential donors. However, this is a sector of the population that has not been studied in great detail in terms of the information they receive about ODT. OBJECTIVES: To analyze what kinds of media provide people > 65 years of age with information about ODT and which sources of information affect their attitude about this subject. METHODS: A multicentric study was undertaken using a sample of people > 65 years of age stratified by sex and geographic location in southeastern Spain (n = 420). Questions about ODT and methods of receiving information were analyzed using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, United States). Descriptive analyses were performed with a Student t test and χ2 test. RESULTS: The questionnaire completion rate was 84% (n = 351). People aged > 65 years received information about ODT, mainly positive, from the television (82%), followed by films (35%), the radio (30%), the press (26%), family (26%), and friends (17%). Receiving information through one of the following sources was associated with a more favorable attitude toward organ donation: the family (76% vs 45%; P < .001), friends (77% vs 48%; P = .01), and the press (62% vs 49%; P = .034). CONCLUSIONS: Older people mainly receive information about ODT from the mass media. However, social and family circles have the greatest influence on their attitudes toward organ donation.