Hanging donor lungs give good short‐, mid‐ and long‐term results in lung transplantation

International audienceAbstract Background Hanging donors are considered as marginal donors and frequently unsuitable for lung transplantation. However, there is no evidence of higher lung transplantation (LTx) morbidity‐mortality with lungs providing by hanging donor. Methods Between January 2010 and July 2015, we performed a retrospective study at Foch hospital. We aimed to assess whether hanging donor grafts are suitable for lung transplantation. Results A total of 299 LTx were performed. Subjects were allocated to a hanging group (HG) (n = 20) and a control group (CG) (n = 279). Donor and recipient characteristics did not differ. Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) at 72 hours was comparable in both groups ( P = .75). The median duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation (1 [range, 0‐84] vs 1 [range, 0‐410] day, P = .35), the hospital length of stay (31 days [20‐84] vs 32 days [12‐435], P = .36) did not differ between the two groups. No statistically significant difference was found in 1‐year and 5‐year survival between the HG (83% and 78%) and the CG (86% and 75%), P = .85. Conclusion We believe that hanging donors should be considered as conventional donors with particular caution in the final evaluation of the graft and in perioperative management

The scent of Mare Nostrum: medicinal and aromatic plants in Mediterranean soils

In the Mediterranean area, the simultaneous occurrence of pedological, climatic and economic constraints often sets a limit on the profitability of agriculture, and farmers are forced to grow a reduced number of species, dealing with a secure – albeit low – market income. The introduction of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) inside the current farming systems could represent a useful means to meet the multifunctional role of agriculture: producing safe food, in respect of the environment, and contributing to the development of rural areas. The study of the relationships between MAPs and the soils in which they may be grown may have two approaches: (1) the evaluation of yield and qualitative response of MAPs to the variation of soil features; and (2) the study of selective recovery of certain elements (toxic and beneficial), and their subsequent release in herbal products. In many MAPs, significant variations of plant characteristics have been ascertained with varying soil traits, and the selective recovery and subsequent release in food of certain elements have been demonstrated. Hence, great attention must be paid to the choice of soil and cropping strategies, to obtain satisfactory yields of high quality and best-priced products, respecting their safety and nutritional value