Clinical outcomes of DCD type V liver transplantation: donation after euthanasia

Introduction: Due to shortage of donor organs, physicians and surgeons are forced to accept livers from donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors. One special group of DCD organs are those obtained after euthanasia (DCD type V). To create more awareness on the possibility of organ donation after euthanasia, it is important to evaluate the results of transplantation with this type of graft. The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcome of DCD type V liver transplantation (LT) in the Netherlands and Belgium. Methods: All DCD type V LT performed until 2018 in all three Dutch LT centers and four out of six Belgian LT centers, were included in this study. Grafts that have been preserved with machine perfusion were excluded. Continuous data are expressed as median (IQR), categorical data as number (percentage). Results: Until 2018, 44 DCD type V LT have been performed. Five cases in which the liver was preserved by machine perfusion were excluded. Median age of donor and recipient was 51 years (42–58) and 56 years (48–64), respectively. A neurological disease was the most common underlying disease in donors requesting euthanasia, followed by psychiatric disorders. Median time between administration of the euthanatics and cold perfusion was 19 min (14–25). Peak AST and ALT levels in the recipients were 904 U/l (586–2,478) and 709 U/l (448– 1,841) respectively. One-, three- and five-year patient survival was 90%, 83% and 83%, respectively (figure 1). Five patients (13%) required a retransplantation, due to PNF (n = 1), HAT (n = 1) or post-transplant cholangiopathy (n = 3), the majority within the first year after the prior LT. Conclusion: Liver transplantations with grafts from donors who underwent euthanasia yield satisfying results during the relatively short follow up period that is currently available. Comparison of these results with DCD type III LT and donation after brain death (DBD) LT is currently ongoing

Diet selection of the southern vizcacha (Lagidium viscacia): A rock specialist in north western Patagonian steppe, Argentina

The southern vizcacha (Lagidium viscacia) is a rock specialist that inhabits small colonies in isolated rocky outcrops of northwestern Patagonia. This study analyzes its diet selection in relation to food availability, establishes the degree of dietary specialization, and discusses the potential competition with exotic herbivores. Diet composition and food availability were determined in summer and winter in eight rocky outcrops by microhistological analysis of fecal pellets, and food availability was estimated by the Braun Blanquet cover abundance scale. Vegetation cover differences were detected by using a random analysis of variance (ANOVA) factorial block design, and dietary preferences were determined by the confidence interval of Bonferroni. The southern vizcacha showed a specialized feeding behavior despite the consumption of a wide variety of items. Their diet was concentrated on a few types of food, mainly grasses, and the trophic niche was narrow and without seasonal variations. In winter, when food was scarce and of lower quality than summer, diet was dominated by Stipa speciosa, suggesting a selection according to the selective quality hypothesis. Our results (narrow trophic niche, restricted activity near rocky outcrops, and a diet with high proportions of low-quality grasses) showed that the vizcacha is an obligatory dietary specialist, and these characteristics made it highly vulnerable to changes in food availability. In this scenario, overgrazing caused by alien species with similar diets, as the European hare and livestock, could negatively affect their colonies.Fil: Galende, Gladys I.. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Departamento de Zoología; ArgentinaFil: Raffaele, Estela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Laboratorio de Ecotono; Argentin

Nanoparticle-allergen interactions mediate human allergic responses:Protein corona characterization and cellular responses

Background: Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) interact with different biomolecules as soon as they are in contact, resulting in the formation of a biomolecule ‘corona. Hence, the ‘corona defines the biological identity of the ENMs and could affect the response of the immune system to ENM exposure. With up to 40 % of the world population suffering from type I allergy, a possible modulation of allergen effects by binding to ENMs is highly relevant with respect to work place and consumer safety. Therefore, the aim of this present study was to gain an insight into the interactions of gold nanoparticles with different seasonally and perennially occurring outdoor and indoor allergens. Methods: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were conjugated with the major allergens of birch pollen (Bet v 1), timothy grass pollen (Phl p 5) and house dust mite (Der p 1). The AuNP-allergen conjugates were characterized by means of TEM negative staining, dynamic light scattering (DLS), z-potential measurements and hyperspectral imaging. Furthermore, 3D models were constructed, based on the characterization data, to visualize the interaction between the allergens and the AuNPs surface. Differences in the activation of human basophil cells derived from birch/grass pollen- and house dust mite-allergic patients in response to free allergen and AuNP-allergen conjugates were determined using the basophil activation assay (BAT). Potential allergen corona replacement during BAT was controlled for using Western blotting. The protease activity of AuNP-Der p 1 conjugates compared to free Der p 1 was assessed, by an enzymatic activity assay and a cellular assay pertaining to lung type II alveolar epithelial cell tight junction integrity. Results: The formation of a stable corona was found for all three allergens used. Our data suggest, that depending on the allergen, different effects are observed after binding to ENMs, including enhanced allergic responses against Der p 1 and also, for some patients, against Bet v 1. Moreover elevated protease activity of AuNP-Der p 1 conjugates compared to free Der p 1 was found. Conclusion: In summary, this study presents that conjugation of allergens to ENMs can modulate the human allergic response, and that protease activity can be increased.FP7 26314