A soil-landscape model for Mahurangi Forest, Northland, New Zealand

Exotic plantation forestry is an important land use of both economic and environmental significance in Northland and elsewhere in New Zealand. It is therefore of considerable importance that forestlands be managed sustainably by employing approaches such as site-specific management. The establishment of site-specific forest management practices requires information regarding the distribution of key soil properties (Turvey and Poutsma, 1980). Quantitative modelling to predict key soil properties from landscape features may be an effective approach to mapping forestlands. A study investigating the efficacy of such an approach is being conducted within Mahurangi Forest, Northland, New Zealand. As a pilot to the study, a detailed qualitative soil-landscape model was developed in order to gain a greater understanding of the soil-landscape relationships and soil pattern of the area. The qualitative soil-landscape model developed in the pilot study is presented here

Risk of post-transplant cardiovascular events in kidney transplant recipients with preexisting aortoiliac stenosis

Prediction of the risk of cardiovascular events (CVE's) is important to optimize outcomes after kidney transplantation. Aortoiliac stenosis is frequently observed during pre‐transplant screening. We hypothesized that these patients are at higher risk of post‐transplant CVE's due to the joint underlying atherosclerotic disease. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether aortoiliac stenosis was associated with post‐transplant CVE's. This retrospective, single‐center cohort study included adult kidney transplant recipients, transplanted between 2000 and 2016, with contrast‐enhanced imaging available. Aortoiliac stenosis was classified according to the Trans‐Atlantic Inter‐Society Consensus (TASC) II classification and was defined as significant in case of ≥50% lumen narrowing. The primary outcome was CVE‐free survival. Eighty‐nine of 367 patients had significant aortoiliac stenosis and were found to have worse CVE‐free survival (median CVE‐free survival: stenosis 4.5 years (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8–6.2), controls 8.9 years (95% CI 6.8–11.0); log‐rank test P < .001). TASC II C and D lesions were independent risk factors for a post‐transplant CVE with a hazard ratio of 2.15 (95% CI 1.05–4.38) and 6.56 (95% CI 2.74–15.70), respectively. Thus, kidney transplant recipients with TASC II C and D aortoiliac stenosis require extensive cardiovascular risk management pre‐, peri,‐ and post‐transplantation

A soil-landscape model for southern Mahurangi Forest, Northland

Exotic plantation forestry has a productive area of about 75 000 ha in Northland (L. Cannon, personal communication). Forestry is thus an important land use of both economic and environmental significance in Northland as well as elsewhere in New Zealand. Therefore, it is of considerable importance that forestlands be managed sustainably by employing approaches such as site-specific management. The establishment of site-specific forest management practices requires information regarding the distribution of key soil properties (Turvey and Poutsma, 1980). Quantitative modelling to predict key soil properties of sustainable forestry from observable landscape features may be a cost-effective approach to mapping forestlands. We are investigating the efficacy of such an approach within Mahurangi Forest, Northland

The prognosis of kidney transplant recipients with aorto-iliac calcification: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The prognosis of kidney transplant recipients (KTR) with vascular calcification (VC) in the aorto-iliac arteries is unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate their survival outcomes. Studies from January 1st, 2000 until March 5th, 2019 were included. Outcomes for meta-analysis were patient survival, (death-censored) graft survival and delayed graft function (DGF). Twenty-one studies were identified, eight provided data for meta-analysis. KTR with VC had a significantly increased mortality risk [1-year: risk ratio (RR) 2.19 (1.39–3.44), 5-year: RR 2.28 (1.86–2.79)]. The risk of 1-year graft loss was three times higher in recipients with VC [RR 3.15 (1.30–7.64)]. The risk of graft loss censored for death [1-year: RR 2.26 (0.58–2.73), 3-year: RR 2.19 (0.49–9.82)] and the risk of DGF (RR 1.24, 95% CI 0.98–1.58) were not statistically different. The quality of the evidence was rated as very low. To conclude, the presence of VC was associated with an increased mortality risk and risk of graft loss. In this small sample size, no statistical significant association between VC and DGF or risk of death-censored graft loss could be demonstrated. For interpretation of the outcomes, the quality and sample size of the evidence should be taken into consideration

Impact of Extraction Time during Donation after Circulatory Death Organ Procurement on Kidney Function after Transplantation in the Netherlands

Background:In The Netherlands, 60% of deceased-donor kidney offers are after donation after circulatory death. Cold and warm ischemia times are known risk factors for delayed graft function (DGF) and inferior allograft survival. Extraction time is a relatively new ischemia time. During procurement, cooling of the kidneys is suboptimal with ongoing ischemia. However, evidence is lacking on whether extraction time has an impact on DGF if all ischemic periods are included.Methods:Between 2012 and 2018, 1524 donation after circulatory death kidneys were procured and transplanted in The Netherlands. Donation and transplantation-related data were obtained from the database of the Dutch Transplant Foundation. The primary outcome parameter was the incidence of DGF. Results:In our cohort, extraction time ranged from 14 to 237 min, with a mean of 62 min (SD 32). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, extraction time was an independent risk factor for incidence of DGF (odds ratio per minute increase 1.008; 95% confidence interval, 1.003-1.013; P = 0.001). The agonal phase, hypoperfusion time, and anastomosis time were not independent risk factors for incidence of DGF. Conclusions:Considering all known ischemic periods during the donation after the circulatory death process, prolonged kidney extraction time increased the risk of DGF after kidney transplantation.</p