Organ retrieval in donors suspected of cancer: single-center experience

BACKGROUND

The transmission of cancerous cells with a transplanted organ is among the most serious complications of transplant surgery. Detailed preoperative tests seek to reduce the risk of transmission of viral and bacterial infections as well as to prevent donor-derived malignancy following organ transplantation. The objective of this study was to report our experience among cadaveric donors who we suspected of cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective search of the medical records of 75 potential cadaveric donors referred to our unit between January 2007 and December 2010. Our focus, however, was on donors suspected of cancer.

RESULTS

Among 75 potential cadaveric donors 22 (29%) revealed features suggestive of cancer: physical signs of tumor pre- or intraoperatively: elevation of serum levels of a cancer marker; or an abnormal finding on radiological imaging. Among the latter group, 15 donors necessitated urgent histopathologic examination to rule out or confirm cancer. In four cases, organ transplantation was abandoned following the examination, including three cases in which a tissue diagnosis of cancer was evident and in one case, the examination was inconclusive to exclude cancer. In the remaining 14 cases, the histopathologic examination did not reveal cancer; thus transplantation was performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Thorough histopathologic examination is essential in all potential donors who are suspected of cancer to prevent donor-derived malignancy following transplantation. In some cases, however, the tissue sampling is not conclusive; hence, transplantation must be abandoned. Even the most precise examination of the donor does not protect the recipient from the risk of transmission of cancer.

Spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV) and microbiological studies of di-substituted benzoates of alkali metals

The FT-IR, FT-Raman and UV spectra of 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic and 3,5-dichlorobenzoic acids as well as lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium 3,5-dihydroxy- and 3,5-dichlorobenzoates were recorded, assigned and compared. The theoretical geometries, Mulliken atomic charges, IR wavenumbers were obtained in B3LYP/6-311++G** level. On the basis of the gathered experimental and theoretical data the effect of metals and substituents on the electronic system of studied compounds were investigated. Moreover, the antimicrobiological activity of studied compounds against two species of bacteria: Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococus aureus and one species of yeast: Candida albicans were studied after 24 and 48 h of incubation. The attempt was made, to find out whether there is any correlation between the first principal component and the degree of growth inhibition exhibited by studied compounds in relation to selected microorganisms.

Vibrational and microbiological study on alkaline metal picolinates and o-iodobenzoates

FT-IR and Raman experimental data were assigned to appropriate bond vibrations and used to compare the different electronic charge distributions in the aromatic rings and carboxylic anions of various lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and caesium o-iodobenzoates and picolinates. Then principal component analysis (PCA) was applied in order to attempt to distinguish the biological activities of these compounds according to selected band wavenumbers. The growth of the bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis and the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Hansenula anomala under optimal growth conditions were measured after 24 hours of incubation by the classical plate method. The influence of the picolinates and o-iodobenzoates on the growth of these microorganisms, again after 24 hours of incubation, was also measured and compared to the effect of sodium benzoate, which was used as a reference material. In general, the o-iodobenzoates exhibited more activity against the microorganisms than the picolinates. A statistically significant linear correlation between the spectral data and the degree of influence of a given compound on microorganism growth was established. The correlation coefficients for the o-iodobenzoates were 0.696, -0.628, 0.693 and 0.755 for E. coli, B. subtilis, H. anomala and S. cerevisiae, respectively, and for the picolinates they were 0.818, 0.826, 0.821 and 0.877 for E. coli, B. subtilis, H. anomala and S. cerevisiae, respectively. Therefore, IR spectroscopy is shown to be a rapid and reliable analytical tool for preliminary estimation of the antimicrobial properties of newly synthesized compounds, that can be applied before microbial performance tests.

The relationship between chemical structure and antimicrobial activity of selected nicotinates, p-iodobenzoates, picolinates and isonicotinates

Alkaline metal, calcium and magnesium p-iodobenzoates and alkaline metal nicotinates, as well as sodium and potassium picolinic and isonicotinates were investigated by means of their antimicrobial and chemical properties. The quality estimation of the influence of metal cation coordinated to the carboxylic anion of the series of studied compounds on their antimicrobial activity as well as on the vibrational structure of whole complex in water solution was done. The changes in antimicrobial properties and in charge distribution of the complex along the position of nitrogen atom in the aromatic ring in sodium and potassium complexes were investigated. The analysis of influence of iodine substituent in para position on the change of electronic charge distribution of carboxylate anion and aromatic ring was done. The relationship between electronic properties estimated by vibrational spectroscopy and antimicrobial activity of studied complexes was investigated.

The evaluation of total dietary fibre content in standard hospital diets during the winter and summer seasons

The main aim of the study was to determine the total dietary fiber in standard diets for hospitalized patients in winter and summer. In the randomized trial performed in the winter of 1995/1996 and summer 1997, we assessed the dietary fiber content in 12 standard diets with AOAC method. The dietary fiber in the tested hospital diets was derived mainly from grains--average value 12.2 g/day in winter and 15.8 g/day in summer. The second group of plant products to supply fiber in the diet were vegetables. Food portions covered an average of 11.5 g dietary fiber per day in winter and 8.5 g in summer. In spite of the variety of cheap vegetables on sale, a significantly lower content of fiber was observed in summer (p < 0.05). Fruits and fruit products in hospital food contained 1.4 g/day of fiber in winter and 1.7 g/day in summer respectively. We also made a simulation, where white bread, present in every diet, was replaced by dark bread. This let us determine the degree to which the alternative food product influences the diet's composition. The results demonstrate that the replacement everyday of eaten food products may evoke significant changes in dietary fiber contents. The change induced statistically significant differences between diets containing white bread and dark bread (p < 0.001).

Nitrates and nitrites contents in whole-day's diets of men--workers of metal industry

An evaluation of nitrates and nitrites in daily diets of 239 men was performed. It was found that daily intake of these compounds did not exceed the acceptable values.

Nitrate and nitrite content in daily hospital diets during the winter season--comparison of analytical and calculation methods

A comparison of two methods: analytical and calculation on an estimation of dietary intakes of nitrate and nitrite from six different types of general hospital diets was studied. Studies were performed in the winter season of 1996-1997. It was found that the mean daily intake of nitrates was 85 mg per person in the analytical method, and 65 mg per person in the calculated method. The estimation of average dietary intakes of nitrite was adequate: 1.67 mg per person (the analytical method) and 1.18 mg per person (the calculated method). The main source of nitrates were vegetables, whereas the main source of nitrites was meat and meat-containing products. We suggest that the different methodologies, analytical and calculation methods, for measuring dietary intakes of nitrate and nitrite from diets make it possible to make direct comparisons of intakes.

The nitrate and nitrite contents in a whole day's hospital diet during the spring season

It was decided to evaluate the exposition of patients on nitrates and nitrites contained in 6 whole day's standard hospital diets taken in various days. Studies were performed in June 1995. It was found that the mean daily intake of nitrates was 311 mg and the mean intake of nitrites were 2.16 mg per patient. The main source of nitrates were vegetables (85%), whereas the main source of nitrites were meat and meat-containing products. The presented results suggest that the diets containing early vegetables (especially cabbage) may be harmful for human health.

The effect of vasopressin analogue [d(CH2)5(1),Tyr(Me)2]AVP on memory process in rats with experimental amnesia

We investigated the effect of a single 2 micrograms dose of vasopressin (AVP) analogue [(CH2)5(1),Tyr(Me)2]AVP on the processes of retrieval of conditioned reflexes in rats with experimentally induced amnesia. The models used were: electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and hypoxia. It severely impaired the memory processes. The AVP analogue [d(CH2)5(1),Tyr(Me)2]AVP facilitated retrieval of passive avoidance in all animals.

The effect of angiotensin II and its fragments on post-alcohol impairment of learning and memory

Angiotensin II(1-8) (A II) and its fragments: angiotensin III(2-8) (A III), angiotensin IV(3-8) (AIV), angiotensin V (4-8) (A V) and angiotensin VI(3-7) (A VI) accelerate acquisition of avoidance response and prolong their extinction. A II fragments are devoid classical A II activities such as the effects on blood pressure and thirst. Alcohol administered chronically (for 9 weeks) depresses the ability to retrieve and acquire avoidance responses. The investigated A II fragments counteract the post-alcohol impairment of learning and memory processes (A V being somewhat less active). Fragments A IV and A VI normalize the retrieval in offspring of mothers exposed to alcohol pre- and post-natally.

The effect of vasopressin analog: [d(CH2)(1)5,Tyr(Me)2,delta 3Pro7]AVP on learning and memory processes in rats with experimental amnesia

We investigated the effect of a single 2 micrograms dose of a vasopressin (AVP) analog, [d(CH2)(1)5,Tyr(Me)2,delta 3Pro7]AVP on processes of retrieval, consolidation and acquisition of conditioned reflexes in rats with experimentally induced amnesia. The investigated amnesia models were: long term ethanol intoxication, electroconvulsive shocks (ECS), and hypoxia. They all profoundly impaired the learning and memory processes in all tests used. The AVP analog-[d(CH2)(1)5,Tyr(Me)2,delta 3Pro7]AVP facilitated retrieval of passive avoidance in all amnesia models. It improved consolidation of active avoidance of rats previously treated with alcohol, but did not affect the acquisition of active avoidance. [d(CH2)(1)5,Tyr(Me)2,delta 3Pro7]AVP lack antidiuretic properties.

Effects of angiotensin II and its fragments: angiotensin II(3-8)-hexapeptide and angiotensin II(4-8)-pentapeptide on retrieval in passive avoidance situation in rats chronically treated with ethanol

Rats with impaired retrieval of passive avoidance behavior induced by chronic (9 weeks) administration of ethanol were studied. Angiotensin II (AII) and its fragments: AII(3-8) and AII(4-8), administered (icv, 2.0 micrograms) on the third day after ethanol withdrawal, neutralized the toxic effect of ethanol. Furthermore, the peptide AII(3-8) also gave an improvement in retrieval of the capability to perform simple behavioral tasks as it did in the control group in rats chronically pretreated with alcohol.

Effects of angiotensin II on the acquisition of conditioned avoidance response in alcohol-dependent rats

The effect of angiotensin II (ANG II), given in a single intraventricular dose (2 micrograms ivc), on the course of acquisition of a conditioned avoidance response was studied in rats pretreated with alcohol. Ethanol administered for 6 or 18 days did not affect the acquisition, while a prolonged administration (for 2 months) markedly depressed the ability to learn. This effect was not only reversed by ANG II, but the peptide significantly elevated the acquisition rate above the control value.