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Background: The present study aimed to investigate the progression of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Ireland over the first three waves of infection. Method: A selection of blood donor serum samples collected between February 2020 and December 2021 were analysed by various commercially available serological assays for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (n = 15,066). Results: An increase in seropositivity was observed between wave 1 (February to September 2020) and wave 2 (November and December 2020) of 2.20% to 3.55%. A large increase in estimated seroprevalence to 11.89% was observed in samples collected in February and March 2021 (wave 3 of infection).The rate of seropositivity varied by age group, with the highest rate observed in the youngest donors (18–29 years) peaking at 18.79% in wave 3. The results of spike antibody (anti-S) testing indicated that 44/1009 (4.36%) of seroreactive donors in wave 3 had a serological profile consistent with vaccination. By November 2021, we detected an overall seropositivity of 97.04%. Conclusions: The present study provides a comprehensive estimation of the level of circulating SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Irish blood donors, enabling differentiation between vaccination and natural infection, as well as real-time monitoring of the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. Seroepidemiology has a role in determining reliable estimates of transmission, infection fatality rates and vaccine uptake. The continued screening of blood donors for this purpose has the potential to generate important data to assist with the management of future waves of SARS-CoV-2.

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the effect of donor and recipient age combinations on the short-term survival rates of patients undergoing lung transplantation. Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the 2017–2020 data of the Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University database for all adults (≥18 years), lung transplant recipients, and their associated donors. The impact of donor and recipient ages on survival was analyzed using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model. Subgroup analysis was also performed based on recipient and donor ages. Results: Different donor and recipient age combinations affected the short-term postoperative survival rates. When recipients were ≤55 years, the survival rates of the younger donor age group were significantly higher than the older donor age group at 30 days after surgery (P = 0.040); when the donors were ≤40 years, the postoperative survival rates of the younger recipient age group were significantly higher than the older recipient age group (P = 0.031, P = 0.026, P = 0.034, and P = 0.018 for 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and 1 year after surgery, respectively). Conclusion: Younger recipients had a higher survival rate after transplantation than older recipients, and this benefit could be compromised by older donors. Furthermore, the influence of donor age on patient survival rate was limited and more pronounced in younger recipients and shortly after surgery.

The donor-conjugated polymer named PBDT-IDE-BOT has been successfully synthesized and characterized for inverted polymer solar cell (iPSC). The polymer compromise benzodithiophene (BDT) as donor unit, indacenetetraone (IDE) as acceptor unit, and butyl octyl thiophene (BOT) as π-bridge. The polymer shows broad absorption, and its optical band gap of PBDT-IDE-BOT was 1.64 eV. The HOMO and LUMO energy level of PBDT-IDE-BOT were −5.18 and −3.57 eV, respectively. We fabricated the iPSCs based on PC71BM, ITIC, and Y6BO. The inverted PSC based on PBDT-IDE-BOT/PC71BM, PBDT-IDE-BOT/ITIC, and PBDT-IDE-BOT/Y6BO showed a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.05, 0.5, and 0.19%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine perceptions and experiences of women who donate human milk and highlight various aspects of the breast milk donation process. Study Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study. Methods: An online survey was conducted with a convenience sample of women who donated milk at several milk banks in the United States. A questionnaire of 36 closed and open-ended items were developed and validated by the research team. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used. Semantic content analysis involved three procedures: coding, categorizing text units, and refining the identified themes. Results: A total of 236 women who donated breast milk completed the questionnaire. Mean age of participants was 32.724.27 and 89.40% were non-Hispanic White women with a bachelor's degree (32.20%) or graduate degree (54.70%). Most participants were women who actively donated breast milk, ranging from one to four times. Two themes, facilitators and barriers of milk donation, were Identified. Facilitators to milk donation included attitudes toward milk donation, commitment for donating, motivation in donating, and support. Barriers included personal factors, environment, milk donor process, and psychosocial factors. Clinical Implications: Nurses, health care providers, and lactation professionals should educate women about milk donation resources and opportunities. Strategies to increase awareness about milk donation among underrepresented groups such as women of color are highly recommended. Future research is needed to further explore specific factors that increase milk donation awareness and minimize barriers to potential donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A partial risk guarantee (PRG) is one of the critical instruments in the blended finance approach that provides partial assurance to the risk investor to lend leveraged capital to the borrower. Under the PRG scheme, philanthropic capital is employed as a risk guarantee to create financial and economic additionality through the multiplier effect. This study examines the current trends in PRG and blended finance ecosystem research. This study also aims to identify future research areas to work upon. The bibliometric analysis highlights the need and advantages of blended finance and PRG. The study highlights themes, such as climate finance, SDGs, impact investments, and blended finance/PRGs, from the literature on blended finance. This study illustrates the impact for researchers and managers regarding the future direction to undertake and the domains where PRG can work wonders. The research allows for a comprehensive view of the leading trends, such as utilising blended finance tools such as PRG in funding the work in climate financing, SDGs, water, sanitation, and impact investment. This is perhaps the first study to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the developing area of blended finance partial risk guarantee literature to highlight its importance and advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anatomy laboratory can incite strong emotional reactions in students, which can in turn facilitate growth in empathy, care for vulnerable others, and professionalism. Despite this, little is known about the relative emotional impacts of different laboratory modalities. The response to the COVID‐19 pandemic created an opportunity to compare the emotional experiences of students in similar courses in which one group of students dissected donors and the other group learned from prosected donors. The courses were otherwise the same in content, length, instructional design, and assessment. Students in the dissection‐based (Fall 2019) and prosection‐based (Fall 2020) courses completed a previously validated survey that used quantitative and qualitative questions to assess their feelings about the donors and the anatomy laboratory experience. Students in both cohorts reported overall appreciation for having had the experience. Negative themes experienced by both groups included feeling anxiety, worries about depersonalizing donors, and physical discomfort in the laboratory. Students in the dissection course reported stronger connections with the donors and the donors' families but also more frequently felt negative feelings such as disgust, anxiety, and feeling alone. Students in the prosection course reported more consistently positive responses but worried about not using the donors to the fullest extent possible. Regardless of pedagogical design, students have complex emotional experiences in the anatomy laboratory and our results indicate that these feelings may be more intense in the context of dissection. Anatomists should foster educational settings that enable students to learn to process complex or challenging emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uterine transplantation (UT) is an emerging medical treatment for women affected by absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI). To date there have been over 90 documented cases of UT performed worldwide, with over 50 live births. UT allows women affected by AUFI the opportunity to carry and deliver a childd. The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) introduced a UT study in 2019; however, due to the impacts of the COVID pandemic the study was placed on hold for two years. In February 2023, RPAH performed the centre's first UT from a living unrelated donor to a 25‐year‐old woman with Mayer‐Rokitansky‐Küster‐Hauser syndrome. The donor and recipient surgeries were uncomplicated and both are recovering well in the early post‐operative period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Midwifery & Health Sciences is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Incidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 remains high in the population. Consequently, an increasing percentage of reported organ donors are also SARS‐CoV‐2 positive. Although donors may not have experienced COVID‐19‐related symptoms, there is a chance of unnoticed cardiovascular effects associated with this disease. Therefore, SARS‐CoV‐2 donor grafts have been regularly rejected for heart transplantation (HTx) for a long time. We hereby present three consecutive patients receiving grafts from SARS‐CoV‐2 positive donors (defined by the PCR cycle threshold value < 30). All patients underwent HTx after a previous triple mRNA vaccination (mRNA‐BNT162b2 vaccine, Comirnaty) without adverse events and with a regular post‐operative course. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance and endomyocardial biopsies confirmed excellent graft function without signs of rejection or viral myocarditis. After a mean follow‐up of 135 days after HTx, all patients were in good conditions without heart failure, viral myocarditis, or SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Thus, we conclude that HTx with SARS‐CoV‐2 positive donors seems safe and feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Qardhul Hasan: Media Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat is the property of Universitas Djuanda and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

IntroductionBlood transfusion is an intervention widely used in therapeutics (e.g., in the perioperative period), thus, knowledge about factors associated with blood donation is important. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of sociodemographic factors, personal values and life satisfaction on blood donation in Poland.MethodsSecondary analysis of data. A multiple logistic regression was carried out to assess the relationship between sociodemographic factors, life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale), personal values (Personal Values List) and blood donation.ResultsOf the 770 respondents aged 18–65 years, 262 respondents (34%) donated blood at least once in their lives. Respondents who believed that blood donation is safe (OR = 1.71; Cl95%: 1.20 to 2.43), were male (OR = 1.47; Cl95%: 1.26 to 1.72), married (OR = 1.31; Cl95%: 1.11 to 1.54) and those with high school education (OR = 0.81; Cl95%: 0.66 to 0.99) were more often blood donors.ConclusionPerceived blood donation safety and sociodemographic factors such as gender, marital status, and education level may influence blood donation. Health education is necessary to increase knowledge and shape positive attitudes toward blood donation among the society.

Background: In Brazil, donor anonymity is mandatory; however, the tendency of Brazilians towards the practice is unknown. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate whether couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) have a different perception of anonymous versus identity-release gamete donation than a target population in Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from September 1, 2020 to December 15, 2020. For that purpose, surveys through online platforms were conducted, including either patients undergoing ART (ART-group, n=400) or subjects interested in the theme (interested-group, n=100) randomized by age at a 1:4 ratio. The survey collected information on the participants’ attitudes towards anonymity of gamete donors, and answers were compared between the groups. Results: Most participants stated that the relationship between children and their parents would be affected by the child's knowledge of the origin of its conception. Most participants in the ART-group believed that the gamete donor’s identity should not be revealed to the child, while only half of the interested-group stated the same. Most of the participants stated that "the donor's identity should be revealed if the child questions its biological origin". "From birth" was the second most common response, while "when the child turns 18 years old" and "sometime during teenage years" were less common answers. Conclusion: The attitudes of ART patients about anonymity are conservative, with most participants believing that family relationships may be affected if the child is aware of the origin of his/her conception. These patients also believe that the identity of the gamete donor should not be revealed to the child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foreign aid has become an integral instrument of Russia's policy towards North Korea since the 2000s. Based on quantitative and qualitative data this study systematically maps and discusses Russia's aid disbursements to the DPRK in 2000–2020. It is shown that debt relief constituted the largest share and the significance of humanitarian assistance had increased. Unlike in the Soviet period when ideological motives prevailed in rendering foreign aid, the beginning of the 21st century saw a re-emerging of Russia's international assistance mainly driven by pragmatic political and economic considerations without excessive obligations on both bilateral and multilateral levels. Although recipient need was considered in aid allocation, volumes were too small to solve North Korea's food insecurity and malnutrition. This study contributes to a broader strategic picture of Russia's policy towards North Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart transplantation (HTx) is an established therapeutic method for a highly selected group of patients with terminal heart disease, unfavourable prognosis, and exploited options of pharmacological, device or surgical treatment. Morbidity and mortality of HTx recipients is determined by a variety of factors ranging from donor and recipient characteristics, peri-operative circumstances to risks of long-term immunosupressive treatment. There is a lack of data on survival and causes of death of HTx patients in the Slovak Republic. The aim of this paper was to analyse the survival and causes of death in patients who underwent HTx in the Slovak Republic. Patients and methods: The cohort consisted of 363 patients who underwent HTx at the National Cardiovascular Institute in Bratislava from March 21, 1998, to August 31, 2021. The patients are under a regular follow-up by the Centre, which keeps a registry of basic data. Recorded causes of death and selected indicators that are likely to influence the survival after HTx were analysed. Data that were not recorded in the registry were extracted from the available patient health records. Results: As of September 30, 2021, 144 (40%) of 363 patients died. Median survival of all HTx recipients was 14.8 (0 - 23) years. 30-day and one-year mortality rates were 9.6% and 17.1%, resp. The most common cause of death was non-specific graft failure (20%), followed by infection (15%) and sudden death (14%). Other causes included cardiac allograft vasculopathy (11%), malignancy (10%), and acute rejection (6%). In 24% of cases, the cause of death was represented by various and less common conditions (renal failure, bleeding, ileus, ischemic stroke, trauma, and other). In the early period (<30 days post-op, n = 35), graft failure, infection, and bleeding represented the main causes of death (57%, 14%, and 12%, resp.). From 30 days to 1 year (n = 27), infection and sudden death prevailed (44% and 19%, resp.). Sudden death, rejection, and malignancies were the dominant causes of death from 1 year to 5 years (n = 22; 50%, 23%, and 18%, resp.). After 5 years (n = 60), cardiac allograft vasculopathy, malignancies, and graft failure were responsible for most of the deaths (25%, 17%, and 11%, resp.). Recipients with a heart from donors = 40 years of age were statistically significantly less likely to survive than recipients with the graft from a younger donor (median 13.4 years vs. 14.5 years; p <0.05). No statistically significant differences in posttransplant survival depending on recipient's age, gender, primary diagnosis, pre-transplant left ventricular assist device implantation, and donor age and cause of death were found. Conclusion: Survival of the Slovak patients after HTx is comparable to international registries. The structure of causes of death is evolving with the time from surgery and reflects the dynamics of risk in particular periods after HTx. Our results document the high standard of long-term care of patients after HTx in the Slovak Republic. The main areas of potential improvement are immediate peri-operative graft and recipient care, prevention of sudden death, as well as prevention and early diagnosis of malignancies after HTx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Medicus (1330-013X) is the property of Pliva Hrvatska d.o.o. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Absrtact: —Within the framework of the envelope function approximation, the rates of intraband radiative transitions in silicon nanocrystals with donors are calculated. It is shown that for nanocrystals of sufficiently small sizes (about two nanometers in diameter), the singlet level splitting off from the rest of the spectrum in the conduction band, arising due to the short-range potential of the donor ion, can be sufficiently strong (more than eV for a bismuth atom), which makes emission in the visible range possible. The rates of radiative transitions turn out to be on the order of inverse microseconds. At the same time, in the case of intraband transitions, Auger recombination can be completely eliminated and, thereby, the quantum efficiency of the luminescence process is significantly increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most crucial blood group system in transfusion medicine is still the ABO system. Any unresolved discrepancy could result in the patient receiving blood that is incompatible and could trigger acute intravascular hemolysis. ABO subgroups are one of the astounding differences in blood grouping. The amount of A and B antigens carried by red blood cells and present in secretion varies depending on the ABO subgroup phenotype. Clinically, A1 and A2 are the two most frequently observed subtypes. Many weaker A subgroups have been described, including A3, Axe, am, and el. This example involves an Indian male donor who was initially misclassified as a Group O individual before being identified as an Ax/Aweak subgroup phenotypically. The next-generation sequencing defined the genotype of this case as ABO*AW.31.01/*O.01.75. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essential factor in the success of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer programmes (MOET) in any species is the selection of the recipient females. In rabbit there is a notable lack of studies on the effects of recipient genotype on postnatal growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of recipient maternal genotypes on litter size components within a MOET programme applied to a commercial paternal line that appears to have exhausted its selection programme after 37 generations. The experiment was designed using 13 nulliparous donors from the R line (paternal line) to produce 453 embryos, which were transferred to two recipient maternal genotypes (A and V lines) and the own donor paternal line (R line). Litter size components and pre-and postnatal body mass of kits were evaluated. The differences between the genetic groups of recipients were estimated using a general linear model applying Bayesian analysis. The results showed that maternal lines have a high capacity to implant the embryos, maintain the pregnancy and present a favourable environment for embryo development compared to the R line. Specifically, A line dams showed the highest prenatal survival, total born and number born alive without effects on growth traits. The present study demonstrated the applicability of a MOET programme based on maternal ability recipients to improve the number of kits per cycle. Therefore, to allow the genetic improvement programme of meat rabbits to continue using the R line, we recommended applying for a MOET programme as a routine procedure.HIGHLIGHTS MOET programme based on maternal ability recipients enhanced the number of kits per cycle. The MOET programme could be a routine procedure to favour the selection of paternal lines by increasing selection pressure.

Objective: To investigate the quality of life (QOL) of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) donors.

Donating blood (components) is considered a "good deed," especially in voluntary, nonremunerated contexts where blood is donated for unknown recipients. For donor and recipient safety, blood banks apply deferral criteria. Deferred donors are less likely to return for future donations. Based on theory (e.g., on emotion, habit, and identity) and practice, several methods have been suggested to encourage return after deferral, yet few of these methods have been tested in rigorous study designs, or in the field. In this study, we therefore investigated whether offering an alternative "good deed" or providing additional information about deferral would increase donor return. Results of a randomized controlled field trial at 10 Dutch blood donation centers showed that offering alternative good deeds after deferral did not significantly increase donor return, while providing additional information did increase whole blood donor return. This suggests that additional information contributes to the continuation of pro-social behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Yeni Üroloji Dergisi is the property of Ali Ihsan Tasci and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the post-Byzantine period, the rulers of the north-Danubian principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, through their monetary gifts and donations, played central roles in the continuation of religious life within and beyond the borders of their domains. This essay charts the patterns of patronage of two key donors - Neagoe Basarab of Wallachia (r. 1512-1521) and Peter RareÈ™ of Moldavia (r. 1527-1528; 1541-1546) - in order to underscore their piety and the broader implications of their activities. Through the extant textual and material evidence, this study engages with aspects of the desires, collaborations, and effects of patronage from these two important rulers within Wallachia and Moldavia, respectively, and to far-off places like Mount Athos and the monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai. This study reveals a complex web of personal, spiritual, and ideological facets of leadership and identity that shaped a culture of donations and piety rooted in Byzantine models and transformed in local contexts through the desires and ambitions of each individual ruler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of observation of Ramsey oscillations in germanium doped with arsenic donors detected by photothermal ionization of Coulomb centers are presented. To excite quantum coherent superpositions of the states at the transition 1s(A1)–2p0 the Novosibirsk free electron laser radiation was used. The results are analyzed using a theoretical model using several key parameters of the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To report the clinical results on the use of corneas frozen in Eusol-C as tectonic corneal grafts.Retrospective review of medical records of patients who received frozen corneas as emergency tectonic grafts from 2013 to 2020. Corneas had been stored in Eusol-C preservation media at − 78 °C for a mean time of 6.9 months. Diagnosis, transplant characteristics, microbial culture results, anatomic integrity, epithelial healing, neovascularization, transparency, infection and need for additional surgeries were registered. Fifty corneas were used in 40 patients (mean age 60.5 years, 20 males) with a median follow-up of 27.3 months after surgery. Need for tectonic graft was due to: perforation secondary to immune diseases (6, 12%), neurotrophic ulcer (11, 22%), trauma (3, 6%), corneal infection (11, 22%), chronic disorders of the ocular surface (9, 18%) and previous corneal graft failure (10, 22%). Mean size of grafts was 5.6 mm and 36 cases (72%) also received an amniotic membrane graft. Thirty-eight corneas achieved epithelization (76%), 25 (50%) were clear and 19 (38%) developed neovascularization. None of the corneas were rejected. Seventeen corneas (34%) failed: 7 (14%) due to reactivation of baseline disease and 10 (20%) due to primary graft failure. Four corneas (8%) had positive microbial cultures suggestive of contamination and 2 (4%) developed a cornea abscess non-related to a positive microbial culture. Long-term preservation of donor corneas in Eusol-C at − 78 °C is a viable technique to meet the needs of emergency grafts with minimal equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Právník is the property of Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of State & Law and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Currently, living kidney transplantation has become the optimal treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease. The goal of the present study is to carry out a systematic review of publications, the psychological profile and consequences in living kidney donors and/or recipients after donation, variables that influence their appearance and manifestation, and the main methods of assessment. For this purpose, the databases PsycInfo and Scopus were searched using the descriptors “living kidney” OR “living renal” AND don* OR recipient* OR transplant* AND psychol*, with a final result of 28 articles and 2 systematic reviews. It is obtained that the main psychological consequences experienced by donors and recipients are related to quality of life, social interaction, intrapersonal satisfaction, depression, anxiety, psychological fatigue and social role limitations, assessed with a variety of measurement instruments. These consequences are influenced by variables such as advanced age, female or having a poor relationship with the recipient after the intervention. In conclusion, living kidney donors and/or recipients may suffer a heterogeneous set of psychological consequences. Therefore, there is a need for early assessment, detecting possible vulnerable groups by offering them a systematic and comprehensive intervention after donation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ahi Evran Medical Journal is the property of Ahi Evran University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In organ transplantation, there is a lack of ethical discussion about the recipient's right not to receive a transplant. Using the current situation of living organ transplantation and deceased organ transplantation in Japan as an example, we prospectively discussed to what extent the recipient's right not to receive a transplant is ethically acceptable. In directed transplantation from a living donor, a recipient may refuse organ donation from a particular donor. It is preferable that a recipient's request for organ donation from a donor occurs as part of a transparent process. In nondirected transplantation from a deceased donor, refusal of transplantation from a particular type of donor appears potentially justifiable. There are both moral and pragmatic considerations. Certain refusals based solely on belief are morally unacceptable, and refusal to transplant a recipient based on the donor's age jeopardizes the entire transplant system. When religious beliefs affect mental and physical health, individualized measures are required for transplant rejection. We also deductively developed a prospective argument based on the current status of donor–recipient communication in living organ transplantation in Japan and the 2010 amendment of the law allowing relatives to be given priority in organ transplantation from deceased donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on interviews, autobiographies, and online ethnography, this paper explores the ways in which nonbiological lesbian parents and their family members use photographs to articulate their family relationships with their nonbiological children. Although a biogenetic link to children was perceived as unnecessary, even irrelevant, to their love for their children, nearly all the participants expressed exhilaration when the nonbiological offspring looked like or acted like the nonbiological parent. Many nonbiological parents composed and displayed photographs in ways to highlight similarity between themselves and their children. In this way, nonbiological parents "perform" consanguinity—a blood connection—for critical audiences, including themselves. Yet, the "display work" of queer family analyzed in this paper never fully masks their difference from the norm. The lesbian photography practices discussed in this paper suggest that while genetic thinking shapes family practices, they are also creating new meanings. Through photography practices, lesbian families demonstrate how doing queer kinship transforms heteronormative belonging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deceased donor and organ perfusion fluid cultures are obtained in order to inform recipient antimicrobial management and therefore reduce the risk of donor‐derived bacterial and fungal infections. However, important heterogeneity exists in laboratory practice across organ procurement organizations and clinical management of culture results across transplant centers. While not standardized, the clinical approach to donors with positive bacterial and/or fungal cultures should be informed by the risk of donor‐derived infection (DDI) and the consequence of organ non‐utilization and account for potential unintended effects of antimicrobial use in the recipient. In this review, we summarize the literature on bacterial and fungal DDIs, describe the significance of positive cultures by anatomic site, and summarize current guidance on the management of positive cultures from donors or preservation fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The outcomes following COVID‐19 positive donor (CPD) utilization for heart transplant are unknown. Methods: UNOS database was analyzed for heart transplants performed from the declaration of COVID‐19 pandemic until September 30, 2022. Result: Since the onset of pandemic, there were 9876 heart transplants reported. COVID‐19 antigen or NAT results were available in 7698 adult donors within 14 days of donation, of which 177 (2.3%) were positive. There was no difference in recipient demographics, including age (COVID positive donor vs. negative: 55 vs. 56 years, p =.2) and BMI. Listing status 1 and 2 were similar in both groups (7% vs. 10% and 48% vs. 49% respectively, p =.4). Durable and temporary mechanical support were similar in both groups pre‐transplant (both groups 33%, p =.9). There was no difference in days on the waitlist (median 31 days, p =.9). Simultaneous renal transplant rates were similar (11% vs. 10%, p =.9). CPD utilization has increased since the onset of the pandemic, and the adoption is present across most UNOS regions. Post‐transplant, there was no difference in length of stay (median 16 vs. 17 days, p =.9) and acute rejection episodes prior to discharge (3% vs. 8%, p =.1). In survival analysis of 90‐day follow up, number of deaths reported were comparable (5% in both groups, p =.9) Follow‐up LVEF was comparable (62% vs. 60%, p =.4). Conclusion: Active COVID‐19 infection in donors did not affect survival or rejection rates in the short‐term post‐heart transplant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Since March 2020, the COVID‐19 pandemic has tremendously impacted health care all around the globe. We analyzed the impact of the pandemic on donors, recipients, and outcome of heart transplantation (HTx). Methods: Between 2010 and early 2022, a total of n = 235 patients underwent HTx in our department. Patients were assigned to the study groups regarding the date of the performed HTx. Group 1 (09/2010 to 02/2020): n = 160, Group 2 (03/2020 to 02/2022): n = 75. Results: Since the pandemic, the etiology of heart failure in the recipients has shifted from dilated (Group 1: 53.8%, Group 2: 32.0%) to ischemic cardiomyopathy (Group 1: 39.4%, Group 2: 50.7%, p <.01). The percentage of high urgency status of the recipients dropped from 50.0% to 36.0% (p =.05), and the use of left ventricular assist (LVAD) support from 56.9% to just 37.3% (p <.01). Meanwhile, the waiting time for the recipients also decreased by about 40% (p =.05). Since the pandemic, donors were 2‐ times more likely to have been previously resuscitated (Group 1: 21.3%, Group 2: 45.3% (p <.01), and drug abuse increased by more than 3‐times (p <.01), indicating acceptance of more marginal donors. Surprisingly, the incidence of postoperative severe primary graft dysfunction requiring extracorporeal life support decreased from 33.1% to 19.4% (p =.04) since the pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID‐19 pandemic affected both donors and recipients of HTX but not the postoperative outcome. Donors nowadays are more likely to suffer from ischemic heart disease and are less likely to be on the high‐urgency waitlist and on LVAD support. Simultaneously, an increasing number of marginal donors are accepted, leading to shorter waiting times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sub-inhibitory concentrations of ampcilin, gentamycin, kanamycin, tetracycline, and naphthalene remarkably promoted plasmid conjugative transfer intra-genera. • Donors had key effects on transconjugants composition. • Stimulants induced a positive effect on conjugal transfer frequency in situ mating matrix, which may be associated with the enhanced expression of conjugative genes. • Blastocatella and Chitinimonas sp. were the main potential receptors of plasmid pND6-2 in activated sludge. The activated sludge process is characterized by high microbial density and diversity, both of which facilitate antibiotic resistance gene transfer. Many studies have suggested that antibiotic and non-antibiotic drugs at sub-inhibitory concentrations are major inducers of conjugative gene transfer. The self-transmissible plasmid pND6-2 is one of the endogenous plasmids harbored in Pseudomonas putida ND6, which can trigger the transfer of another co-occurring naphthalene-degrading plasmid pND6-1. Therefore, to illustrate the potential influence of stimulants on conjugative transfer of pND6-2, we evaluated the effects of four antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamycin, kanamycin, and tetracycline) and naphthalene, on the conjugal transfer efficiency of pND6-2 by filter-mating experiment. Our findings demonstrated that all stimulants within an optimal dose promoted conjugative transfer of pND6-2 from Pseudomonas putida GKND6 to P. putida KT2440, with tetracycline being the most effective (100 µg/L and 10 µg/L), as it enhanced pND6-2-mediated intra-genera transfer by approximately one hundred-fold. Subsequently, seven AS reactors were constructed with the addition of donors and different stimulants to further elucidate the conjugative behavior of pND6-2 in natural environment. The stimulants positively affected the conjugal process of pND6-2, while donors reshaped the host abundance in the sludge. This was likely because stimulant addition enhanced the expression levels of conjugation transfer-related genes. Furthermore, Blastocatella and Chitinimonas were identified as the potential receptors of plasmid pND6-2, which was not affected by donor types. These findings demonstrate the positive role of sub-inhibitory stimulant treatment on pND6-2 conjugal transfer and the function of donors in re-shaping the host spectrum of pND6-2. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we are interested to the effect of the variation in donor groups (D) mainly carbazole, triphenylamine, diethylaniline and phenothiazine, on a series of organic compounds, using Density-Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent Becke–Half and Half–Lee–Yang–Parr's (TD-BHandHLYP). The aim is to elucidate the different geometrical and optoelectronic properties, as well as the charge transfer parameters (Ionization potential (IP), Electron affinity (EA), Reorganization energy (λ), Light harvesting efficiency (LHE), Open circuit voltage (Voc), Injection energy (ΔGinject) and Regeneration energy (ΔGreg)), chemical reactivity parameters (Electronegativity (χ), Chemical potential (μ), and Electrophilicity index (ω)) of the studied dyes and intermolecular interactions dyes/semiconductor. Using triphenylamine and diethylaniline as donors (D), we have been able to get the lowest Egap energies, with respective values roughly equivalent to 1.77 and 1.78 eV and high maximum absorption wavelengths (607.84 and 609.70 nm) when compared to the other donor groups. Likewise, the introduction of these units increased the photon-current conversion capacity, characterized by better LHE values (0.980 and 0.975 eV, respectively) and higher Voc (0.91 and 0.95 eV, respectively), which would improve the charge transfer performance and chemical reactivity indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This present study aimed to share experiences in the diagnosis and management of brain death (BD) and cadaveric donation cases, detected in a research hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: BD cases diagnosed between 15/03/2020-15/05/2021 in our intensive care units (ICU) were retrospectively evaluated. Patients’ demographic characteristics, primary diagnoses, ICU admission time, and length of hospital stay were analyzed. Clinical suspicion, diagnosis, declaration, and donation or cardiac arrest times and supplementary tests to support the clinical judgment performed were also evaluated. Results: 37 cases, were included in the study. Intracranial hemorrhage was the most common (54.1%) diagnosis in ICU admissions. Apnea tests could be performed only in 27 patients (73%). Cerebral CT-angiography was used as a supplementarytary test in 27 (73%) cases. Family consent for organ donation was obtained from 10 patients (27%), and 70% (n= 7) of them became donors. The time between ICU admission and BD diagnosis time was 114±92.8 (11-360) hours, the time between clinical suspicion and diagnosis was 32±15.1 (4-78) hours, the time between diagnosis and cardiac arrest of non-donors was 24±15.2 (5-72) hours, and the time between diagnosis and donation was 23±7.6 (15-35) hours. Conclusion: Occupancy in ICUs due to COVID-19 has reduced the admission of patients who may be donors to ICUs, and there has been a decrease in the number of BD detection, family approval, and organ donation in our hospital.

Aim Adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) have recently been studied as a potential new approach for regeneration treatment of heart failure and ischemic myocardium. However, donor’s age is thought to affect the ability of AMSC cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. This study aimed to analyse the association between donor’s age with the expression of cardiomyocyte marker cardiac isoform of Troponin-T (cTnT) quantity on AMSCs. Methods Subcutaneous adipose tissue was taken from donors of 3 different age groups (30-40, 41-50, and >50 years old), and then processed into AMSC cells by insert culture. AMSC cell phenotype was identified by assessing the quantity of mesenchymal markers expression (CD34, CD45, CD90, CD105) using indirect immunofluorescence technique. Afterwards, cTnT expression, a marker for cardiomyocyte differentiation from AMSC cells, was evaluated under the fluorescent microscope. The comparison was done between the 3 different age groups. Results The comparative test and post hoc analysis showed that there were differences in the expression of CD34, CD45, CD90, CD105, and cTnT between the three age groups (all p

• Six new charge transfer complexes have been synthesized. • The complex structures exhibited a variety of morphologies. • The optimal stoichiometric ratio of donor to acceptor was confirmed to be 1:1. • C N and N H in the donor and COOH in the acceptor played a key role. Six new charge-transfer complexes using ofloxacin (OFL) and sulfamethazine (SMR) as electron donors and coumaric acid (COA), cinnamic acid (CNA), and salicylic acid (SAA) as acceptors via equimolar mixture have been synthesized. The experiment used UV–vis spectroscopy to determine the formation of the complex in methanol through the presence of a new broad absorption band with a maximum wavelength in the 200–400 nm range. The molecular composition of the charge-transfer complexes was determined by the spectrophotometric titration method and found to be 1:1 (donor: acceptor). These complexes have been characterized by infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the FTIR spectra, the CT complexes showed a wavelength shift compared to the reactants. The complexes exhibited various morphologies by SEM, including spherical particles, short rods, and flattened shapes. Additionally, quantum chemical calculations at the DFT/B3LYP level of theory investigated the complexes' steady-state structures, energies, and charge densities. The intermolecular binding energies was negative, indicating that the reactions of the six complexes proceeded spontaneously. There was strong van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds between the donor and acceptor, which contributed to the complexes' strong molecular stability. The C N and N H groups in the donor molecule, and the -COOH group in the acceptor molecule, played key roles in the complexation process. DFT calculation results were appropriate to support our experimental results. This study highlights the molecular mechanisms of donor and acceptor action in charge-transfer interactions, providing a theoretical basis for the synthesis of antibiotic complexes and the removal of antibiotics. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we incorporated nanometal surface energy transfer (NSET) in lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) and explored the relationship between fluorescence quenching efficiency and detection sensitivity to improve sensitivity of NSET-LFIA system. We developed nine gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with absorption spectrum in the range of 520–605 nm as acceptors and quantum dot microspheres (QDMs) with emission spectrum of 530, 570, and 610 nm as donors. By analyzing the overlap integral area, fluorescence quenching efficiency, and detection sensitivity of 27 donor-acceptor pairs, we observed that the larger overlap integral area led to higher fluorescence quenching efficiency and detection sensitivity. A maximum fluorescence quenching efficiency of 91.0% was obtained from the combination of GNPs at 605 nm and QDMs at 610 nm, achieving the highest detection sensitivity. We developed NSET-LFIA for the detection of T2 toxin with a limit of detection of 0.04 ng/mL, which was 10-times higher than that obtained via conventional GNP-LFIA. NSET-LFIA represents a versatile, ultrasensitive and valuable screening tool for small molecules in real samples. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain death is the permanent, irreversible and complete loss of brain and brain stem functions due to an detectable and devastating reason. The three main and unchangable findings of brain death are coma, loss of brain stem reflexes, and apnea. In the critical way leading to brain death and deceased donation, some descriptions were made in order to recognition and reportable uniformity in the approach to donor candidate.

BackgroundDespite improvements in fetal survival for pregnancies affected by twin-twin transfusion syndrome since the introduction of laser photocoagulation, prematurity remains a major source of neonatal morbidity and mortality.ObjectiveTo investigate the indications and factors influencing the timing of delivery following laser treatment, we collected delivery information regarding twin-twin transfusion syndrome cases in a large multicenter cohort.Study designEleven North American Fetal Therapy Network (NAFTNet) centers conducted a retrospective review of twin-twin transfusion syndrome patients who underwent laser photocoagulation. Clinical, demographic and ultrasound variables including twin-twin transfusion syndrome stage, and gestational age at treatment and delivery were recorded. Primary and secondary maternal and fetal indications for delivery were identified. Univariate analysis was used to select candidate variables with significant correlation with latency and GA at delivery. Multivariable Cox regression with competing risk analysis was utilized to determine the independent associations.ResultsA total of 847 pregnancies were analyzed. After laser, the average latency to delivery was 10.11 ± 4.8 weeks and the mean gestational age at delivery was 30.7 ± 4.5 weeks. Primary maternal indications for delivery comprised 79% of cases. The leading indications included spontaneous labor (46.8%), premature rupture of membranes (17.1%), and placental abruption (8.4%). Primary fetal indications accounted for 21% of cases and the most frequent indications included donor non-reassuring status (20.5%), abnormal donor Dopplers (15.1%), and donor growth restriction (14.5%). The most common secondary indications for delivery were premature rupture of membranes, spontaneous labor and donor growth restriction. Multivariate modeling found gestational age at diagnosis, stage, history of prior amnioreduction, cerclage, interwin membrane disruption, procedure complications and chorioamniotic membrane separation as predictors for both gestational age at delivery and latency.ConclusionPremature delivery after laser therapy for twin-twin transfusion syndrome is primarily due to spontaneous labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes and non-reassuring status of the donor fetus. Placental abruption was found to be a frequent complication resulting in early delivery. Future research should be directed toward the goal of prolonging gestation after laser photocoagulation to further reduce morbidity and mortality associated with twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Relevance. The depletion of natural resources, the problems of poverty, malnutrition and inequality are some examples from the endless list of problems of humanity. They actualized the issue of sustainable development. Problem. Despite the relevance, there is a lack of a standardized methodological approach to assessing the parameters of sustainable development, which is a research problem. Goal. Formation of a standardized methodical approach for assessing the parameters of sustainable development and identification of donor regions. Methods. In the course of the study, methods of analysis and synthesis were used to form the estimated parameters, comparison to evaluate the results obtained, formalization to standardize the approach. Results. The combination of methods made it possible to form and test an approach based on the author’s sustainable development index, taking into account the risk of changes in development, in 66 regions of the Russian Federation over a 20-year period. The result was the identification of the region most prepared for donation in the economic sphere – the Krasnodar Territory.