Evolution in pancreas transplantation techniques: simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation using portal-enteric drainage without antilymphocyte induction

OBJECTIVE: To report initial experience with the combination of a novel technique of portal-enteric pancreas transplantation with newer immunosuppressive strategies that eliminate antilymphocyte induction therapy. BACKGROUND: A new surgical technique of pancreas transplantation has been developed with portal venous delivery of insulin and enteric drainage of the exocrine secretions (portal-enteric). The introduction of potent immunosuppressive agents may allow simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplants (SKPT) to be performed without antilymphocyte induction. METHODS: From September 1996 to November 1998, the authors performed 28 primary SKPTs with portal-enteric drainage and no antilymphocyte induction. All patients received triple immunosuppression with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids. The study group had a mean age of 38 years and a mean preoperative duration of diabetes of 25 years. Four patients (14%) had prior kidney transplants. RESULTS: All patients had immediate renal allograft function. Actual patient, kidney, and pancreas graft survival rates were 86%, 82%, and 82%, respectively, after a mean follow-up of 12 months. Four patients died, three as a result of cardiac events unrelated to SKPT. Five kidney and five pancreas grafts were lost, including five deaths with function and three cases of chronic rejection. The mean length of stay and total charges for the initial hospital stay were 12.5 days and $99,517. The mean number of readmissions was 2.9, and 10 patients (36%) had no readmissions. Six patients (21 %) developed acute rejection, with five (18%) receiving antilymphocyte therapy. Seven patients (25%) underwent relaparotomy, including two (7%) for intraabdominal infection. Nine patients (32%) had major infections, including three (11%) with cytomegaloviral infection. Of the 24 surviving patients, 22 (92%) are both dialysis- and insulin-free. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that SKPT with portal-enteric drainage without antilymphocyte induction can be performed with excellent outcomes

Produtividade de cebola influenciada pela aplicação de micronutrientes Onion yield influenced by micronutrient application

A aplicação excessiva de fertilizantes, o uso de corretivos da acidez sem critérios técnicos adequados e o monocultivo são práticas comuns na região cebolicultora catarinense, e isso tem contribuído para o aparecimento de sintomas visuais de deficiências nutricionais, principalmente de micronutrientes. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito da aplicação de B, Zn e Mn na produtividade e na conservação de bulbos de cebola. Foram conduzidos três experimentos independentes, em campo, sendo um para cada nutriente, no município de Ituporanga, SC, de 2006 a 2009. Em cada experimento, os tratamentos consistiram de aplicações do micronutriente ao solo e de pulverizações foliares. As doses aplicadas ao solo variaram de 0 a 4 kg ha-1 para Zn, de 0 a 4,4 kg ha-1 para B e de 0 a 15,6 kg ha-1 para Mn. As pulverizações foliares, em número de seis a cada ano, foram realizadas a cada 14 dias, nas concentrações de 0,5 % de sulfato de zinco, de 0,25 % de ácido bórico e de 1,0 % de sulfato de manganês. A aplicação de Zn ao solo aumentou a produtividade de bulbos nas três safras, cujos incrementos variaram de 10 a 14,5 %. A dose de Zn que proporcionou a máxima produtividade de bulbos variou de 2,7 kg ha-1, na safra 2006/2007, para uma produtividade de 22,3 t ha-1, até a quantidade estimada de 4,5 kg ha-1, na safra 2008/2009, para produtividade de 35,6 t ha-1. A aplicação de Mn e de B, independentemente do modo de aplicação, e as pulverizações foliares com Zn não influenciaram a produtividade de cebola em nenhuma safra. A qualidade dos bulbos, avaliada por meio da ausência de deterioração durante 145 dias de armazenamento, não foi influenciada pela adição de Zn, B ou Mn. Assim, é importante aplicar Zn para a produção de bulbos de cebola em Cambissolos catarinenses, mesmo naqueles em que o teor desse nutriente no solo esteja acima do nível crítico considerado para os solos da região, provavelmente, em função da exigência da cultura.<br>The excessive use of fertilizers and liming as well as monoculture is rather common in the onion-producing region of Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Such practices have resulted in visual symptoms of micronutrient deficiency, mainly of micronutrients. This study aimed to measure the effect of B, Zn and Mn fertilizers on yield and quality of onion bulbs. Three individual trials, one for each nutrient, were carried out in the field, in Ituporanga, southern Brazil, from 2006 until 2009. In each experiment, treatments consisted of increasing rates of each micronutrient applied to the soil before planting and also of a single rate sprayed onto the leaves six times per season. Rates applied to the soil varied from 0 to 4 kg ha-1 for Zn, from 0 to 4.4 kg ha-1 for B, and from 0 to 15.6 kg ha-1 for Mn. The spray solutions contained zinc sulfate, boric acid and manganese sulfate, at concentrations of 0.5, 0.25 and 1.0 %, respectively. The application of Mn or B, regardless of the form, and Zn sprays, had no effect on onion yield in any growing season. The application of Zn to the soil increased onion yield in all three years, by 10-14.5 %. Maximum yield was obtained with Zn rates of 2.7 kg ha-1 in 2006/2007 (22.3 t ha-1), up to an estimated quantity of 4.5 kg ha-1 in 2008/2009 (35.6 t ha-1). The bulb quality was not affected by micronutrient application (Mn, B, or Zn), regardless of the form. It is therefore important to apply Zn to the soil for onion production in the State of Santa Catarina, even where Zn concentration exceeds the critical level established for the region, which is probably due to the requirement of this crop

HEAVY METALS IN VINEYARDS AND ORCHARD SOILS

The application of foliar fungicides in vineyards and orchards can increase soil concentration of heavy metals such as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), up to the toxicity threshold for fruit trees and cover crops. However, some agronomic practices, such as liming, addition of organic fertilizers, cultivation of soil cover crops and inoculation of young plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can decrease the availability and the potential of heavy metal toxicity to fruit trees. This review aims to compile and present information about the effects of increasing concentrations of heavy metals, especially Cu and Zn, on soils cultivated with fruit trees and provides some agronomic practices of remediation. Information about the sources of heavy metals found in soils cultivated with fruit trees are presented; mechanisms of absorption, transport, accumulation and potential toxicity to plants are described