Recreating a functioning forest soil in reclaimed oil sands in northern alberta: an approach for measuring success in ecological restoration.

During oil-sands mining all vegetation, soil, overburden, and oil sand is removed, leaving pits several kilometers wide and up to 100 m deep. These pits are reclaimed through a variety of treatments using subsoil or a mixed peat-mineral soil cap. Using nonmetric multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis of measurements of ecosystem function, reclamation treatments of several age classes were compared with a range of natural forest ecotypes to discover which treatments had created ecosystems similar to natural forest ecotypes and at what age this occurred. Ecosystem function was estimated from bioavailable nutrients, plant community composition, litter decomposition rate, and development of a surface organic layer. On the reclamation treatments, availability of nitrate, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur were generally higher than in the natural forest ecotypes, while ammonium, P, K, and Mn were generally lower. Reclamation treatments tended to have more bare ground, grasses, and forbs but less moss, lichen, shrubs, trees, or woody debris than natural forests. Rates of litter decomposition were lower on all reclamation treatments. Development of an organic layer appeared to be facilitated by the presence of shrubs. With repeated applications of fertilizers, measured variables for the peat-mineral amendments fell within the range of natural variability at about 20 yr. An intermediate subsoil layer reduced the need for fertilizer and conditions resembling natural forests were reached about 15 yr after a single fertilizer application. Treatments over tailings sand receiving only one application of fertilizer appeared to be on a different trajectory to a novel ecosystem.

U.K. linesmen's experience of microshocks on HV overhead lines.

Linesmen working on high voltage equipment occasionally report unpleasant discharges from equipment. The sensation is known as microshocks, which result from capacitive coupling of the linesmen to high voltage sources and subsequent discharging when in very close proximity to grounded objects. Often, this is just an annoyance, but the levels can become such that work has to cease. Microshocks are unpredictable, and therefore, planning maintenance work around them has not been possible. A survey has been developed to investigate and quantify different factors that may have a direct influence on the frequency and intensity of discharges. Transmission line workers (N = 102) from England and Wales participated in the survey and provided details of personal body characteristics as well as their experiences of microshocks. Survey results suggest a correlation between body mass index and certain work activities to the likelihood of a person experiencing microshocks, and their severity. Higher body mass index reduces the likelihood of experiencing painful microshocks. Climbing lattice towers adjacent to energized conductors is the area most associated with the phenomenon. Microshock incidents have increased or are occurring at the same rate as 5 years ago. Results presented will aid the development of policy statements and mitigation techniques that minimize linesmen's exposure to microshocks. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene for the following free supplemental resources: a PDF file containing survey questions.].

Genetic selection for aflatoxin B1 resistance influences chicken T-cell and thymocyte proliferation.

Studies were conducted with two lines of chickens that were selected for high and low plasma protein concentrations in response to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure. The experiments were designed to determine genetic differences in the responses of T cells and thymocytes to the toxin. Chicks were orally administered AFB1 at a rate of 0, 100, or 500 micrograms/kg body weight up to 21 days of age. At 4 weeks of age, concanavalin A (Con A, 2.5 micrograms/mL) stimulated T-cell proliferation was similar for untreated chicks from the low line (LL) and the high line (HL). However, AFB1 reduced the responses of T cells with HL cells being more sensitive. In a second experiment, immature chickens were bled and peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured with Con A and either 0, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, or 25 micrograms/mL AFB1. T cells from LL had greater responses to Con A than those from HL, and LL T-cells were also more resistant to in vitro AFB1 exposure. Furthermore, thymocyte proliferation was greater for LL chicks; but when thymocytes were cultured with 25 micrograms/mL AFB1, 3H-thymidine incorporation was similarly reduced in both lines. Cell cycle analysis indicated that there were more LL thymocytes in S phase, and the percentages for both lines decreased with AFB1 treatment. Although there were no differences between the lines for percent G2/M cells, AFB1 treatment increased the percentages of thymocytes in G2/M. These studies showed that selection for plasma protein response also changed T-cell and thymocyte proliferative activity.

Local drug delivery catheters: functional comparison of porous and microporous designs.

BACKGROUND: The porous (Wolinski) balloon was designed to allow local delivery of compounds targeted to inhibit postintervention restenosis; however, successful use of the device has been hampered by arterial trauma caused by the balloon itself. This study utilized several experimental systems to assess the functional characteristics of the porous balloon catheter. This information was utilized to design and test a new microporous infusion catheter for local intra-arterial drug delivery. METHODS: Flow characteristics in fluid and semisolid media as well as arterial trauma by light and electron microscopy were documented for the porous and microporous balloons. In addition, the efficacy of methylene blue delivery in situ and in vitro was documented and quantified for the microporous design. RESULTS: The porous balloon exhibits flow characteristics consistent with orifice-related streaming that produces arterial trauma. By maximizing external balloon-pore density and minimizing pore size, the microporous design minimizes streaming in test systems. This is manifested by minimal arterial trauma when applied to intact arteries. The microporous catheter is effective for dye delivery both in situ and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The microporous catheter design offers improved functional characteristics when compared with the porous balloon for local intra-arterial drug delivery.

The effects of intravascular stents on vasomotion in porcine coronary arteries.

Intravascular stents are being increasingly utilized in the treatment of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, however little is known about the effects of stents on coronary vasomotion. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of a heparin treated tantalum stent and balloon injury on coronary artery vasorelaxation and vasoconstriction. Male miniswine underwent cardiac catheterization and oversized balloon injury to the right and left circumflex coronary arteries. After two weeks, one artery was either balloon-injured again, or underwent implantation of a stent. Four weeks later, the coronary arteries were prepared for in vitro isometric ring studies. Vasodilator responses to bradykinin and A23187 calcium ionophore were significantly impaired in balloon-injured vessels. The bradykinin and A23187 responses in stented vessels showed significantly less vasorelaxation, compared to both balloon-injured and normal vessels. There were no significant differences between any of the groups in their vasodilator response to nitroprusside. Vasoconstrictor responses to acetylcholine were significantly greater in balloon-injured vessels, compared to normal vessels. Stented vessels, however, showed markedly less vasoconstriction to acetylcholine compared to both balloon-injured and normal vessels. The maximal KCI vasoconstrictor responses in balloon injured vessels and normal controls were not significantly different. However, the maximal KCI responses in stented vessels showed significantly less constriction compared to both balloon injured and normal vessels. In conclusion, the data demonstrated that coronary arteries implanted with a heparin treated tantalum stent were capable of vasomotor activity. Both conventional balloon angioplasty and stents resulted in impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. Endothelium-independent vasorelaxation, however, was not impaired.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Restenosis following placement of an intracoronary heparin treated tantulum stent in the hyperlipidemic miniature swine model.

Restenosis persists as an important factor limiting a favorable long term outcome following mechanical revascularization. The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of an intracoronary heparin treated tantalum prototype stent and balloon angioplasty on intimal hyperplasia, luminal diameter, and thrombosis in a porcine restenosis model. Male miniswine maintained on a high cholesterol diet and 325 mg aspirin per day underwent cardiac catheterization and oversized balloon injury to the right and left circumflex coronary arteries. Two weeks later one artery was either balloon injured again or implanted with a stent. No additional anticoagulation following stent placement was given, however aspirin was continued throughout the study. At four weeks, the coronary arteries were harvested and prepared for histologic examination and blinded quantitative morphometric analysis. The prototype stent was successfully deployed in 10 coronary arteries. Histological examination at explant revealed no evidence for thrombus or platelet aggregation. The angiographic luminal diameter of stented vessels was not significantly different from the diameter measured prior to implantation. In contrast, the angiographic diameter of balloon injured vessels was significantly decreased (4.4 +/- 0.4 mm2, balloon injured, vs. 5.8 +/- 3.3 mm2, control; p < 0.05). Stented arteries showed significantly more intimal hyperplasia, compared to balloon injured vessels (2.99 +/- 0.58 mm2 intimal area, stented arteries vs. 0.38 +/- 0.15 mm2 intimal area, control arteries; p < 0.05). In conclusion, heparin treated tantalum wire prototype intracoronary stents were successfully deployed in swine coronary arteries with no evidence for thrombus formation. Despite a significant intimal response, luminal diameter was preserved in stented vessels. The data suggest that a heparin treated tantalum wire prototype intracoronary stent may be an effective method of coronary revascularization that results in the preservation of luminal diameter without thrombotic occlusion.

Comparison of the thrombogenicity of stainless steel and tantalum coronary stents.

This study was designed to compare the thrombogenicity of stainless steel and tantalum coronary stents of the same design. Stainless steel and tantalum coronary stents are being evaluated for their utility in treating acute closure and restenosis. A major disadvantage of stainless steel stents is radiolucency. To determine whether radioopaque tantalum stents may be safely substituted for stainless steel stents, we compared the relative thrombogenicity of these materials in stents of identical design. Total platelet and fibrin deposition on the stents were determined from measurements of indium 111-labeled platelet and iodine 125-labeled fibrinogen accumulation after deployment into exteriorized chronic arteriovenous shunts in seven untreated baboons. In another series of experiments, 111In-platelet deposition was compared 2 hours after stent implantation in coronary arteries of pigs. In baboons, platelet thrombus formation on stainless steel and tantalum stents was equivalent and plateaued at approximately 2.5 x 10(9) platelets after 1 hour (p > 0.05). Fibrin deposition averaged approximately 1 mg/stent and did not differ between the stainless steel and tantalum stents (p > 0.05). In the porcine coronary model there was no significant difference in 111In-labeled platelet deposition between the stainless steel and tantalum stents (p > 0.05). This result was confirmed by scanning electron microscopic analysis of the coronary stents. Based on these two models, we conclude that there is no significant difference in the thrombogenicity of stainless steel and tantalum wire coil stents.

Kinetics and quantitation of In-111 labeled platelet deposition on control and heparin-bonded polyurethane angio catheters in a dog model.

The dynamics of platelet deposition on control polyurethane catheters (CPC) and heparin-bonded polyurethane catheters (HBPC) were evaluated with In-111 labeled platelets (In-PLT) using a computerized gamma camera (CGC). Ten nonheparinized dogs (18-25 kg) had both femoral arteries catherized with 10 cm of CPC and HBPC (5 Fr.) 24 hr postinjection of 300-420 microcuries of In-PLT, and imaged for 3 hr with a gamma camera. Regional platelet deposition on three segments of catheters and the puncture site was determined. Catheters were harvested and radioactivity on the catheter segments (proximal: PROX, middle: MID, distal: DIST and puncture site: PS) of both was determined. From the platelet count in blood, and radioactivity in blood and segments of catheters, adjacent artery, and area of artery and catheter, the platelet-density [X10(3) (mean +/- S.D.)] on catheter and artery was calculated and tabulated. Proximal values were cath (CPC), 1289 +/- 1125; artery, 1355 +/- 587; cath (HBPC), 125 +/- 113; artery, 1149 +/- 1620. The middle values were cath (CPC), 1102 +/- 1109; artery, 1512 +/- 625; cath (HBPC), 132 +/- 108; artery, 1011 +/- 942. Distal values were cath (CPC), 780 +/- 584; artery, 132 +/- 108; cath (HBPC), 227 +/- 194; artery, 1457 +/- 1309. The puncture site values were cath (CPC), 106 +/- 382; artery, 1011 +/- 942; cath (HBPC), 164 +/- 135; artery, 1498 +/- 1240. The large standard deviation in retained platelets is due to embolization. The platelet-density and regional counts on catheter segments were lower with HBPC than CPC, as was the rate of platelet-deposition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The kinetics and quantitation of platelet deposition on control (CPC) and heparin-bonded polyurethane angio-catheter (HBPC) with indium-111 labeled platelets in a dog model.

The dynamics of platelet deposition on CPC and HBPC was evaluated with In-111 labeled platelets (In-PLT) with a computerized gamma camera (CGC). Ten non-heparinized dogs (18-25 kg) were catheterized in both femoral arteries with 10 cm of CPC and HBPC (5 Fr., Cordis, Inc.) 24 hours post-injection of 300-420 microcuries of In-PLT, and imaged for 3 hours with gamma camera. The regional platelet deposition on three segments of catheters and puncture site was determined. The catheters were harvested and radioactivity on the catheter segments (proximal: PROX, middle: MID, distal: DIST and puncture site: PS) of both was determined. From the platelet count in blood, radioactivity in blood and segments of catheters, adjacent artery and area of artery and catheter, the platelet-density [X10(3)] (mean +/- S.D.) on catheter and artery were calculated and tabulated: (table; see text) The large standard deviation of retained platelets is due to embolization. The platelet-density and regional counts on catheter segments were lower in the HBPC than CPC. The rate of platelet-deposition was lower in the HBPC than CPC. Most of the thrombi were lost during pullout of the catheter. Both in vivo (dynamic) and in vitro studies were necessary for evaluation of CPC thrombogenicity.

The dynamics of platelet thrombus formation rate, thrombus retention time, and rate of embolization on a control and heparin bonded polyurethane angio-catheter.

The dynamics of platelet deposition and embolization from control and heparin bonded polyurethane catheters (CPC and HBPC) was evaluated with In-111 labeled autologous platelets (IN-PLT) and a computerized gamma camera (CGC). Ten non-heparinized dogs (18-25 kg) were catheterized in both femoral arteries with 10 cm of CPC and HBPC (5 Fr., Cordis) 24 hr after injection of 300-420 microCi of In-PLT, and imaged for 3 hr with the computerized gamma camera. The regional platelet deposition curves (RPDC) indicated multiple peaks and valleys; the curves were analyzed for early rate of thrombus formation (upswing), thrombus retention time (full width at half maxima of the RPDC-peak), and rate of embolization (downswing) on both catheters. The four parameters (mean +/- SD) of thrombosis on catheters and integral of the radioactivity time curve for the 3 hr duration of imaging were calculated from normalized counts/sec. The rate of thrombus formation and rate of embolization are higher for the control than HBPC, suggesting that heparin-bonding decreases the early rate of thrombosis and embolization. The thrombus adhesivity and retention time appear shorter for the control catheter, indicating that the control thrombogenic catheter forms multiple thrombi and emboli than HBPC. The integral appears larger for the control catheter than HBPC. In vivo (dynamic) studies, in vitro studies, and critical analyses of the radioactivity time curve were essential for complete evaluation of thrombogenicity of catheters and other cardiovascular prostheses.