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M L Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to M L Taylor.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Comparison of broiler performance when fed diets containing corn grain with insect-protected (corn rootworm and European corn borer) and herbicide-tolerant (glyphosate) traits, control corn, or commercial reference corn--revisited.

A 42-d feeding experiment with growing Ross x Ross 508 broilers showed that the nutritional value of insect-protected and herbicide-tolerant corn was comparable to that of the genetically similar control and 5 commercial reference corn hybrids. MON 88017 provides protection from feeding damage by coleopteran pest corn rootworm and is tolerant to the action of glyphosate, the active ingredient in the Roundup family of agricultural herbicides. MON 88017 x MON 810 was developed by the traditional breeding of MON 88017 with MON 810, which provides protection from the European corn borer and other lepidopteran pests. A randomized complete block design was used with 8 dietary treatments in each of 5 replicated blocks of pens. No differences among diets were observed (P > 0.05) in performance (final live weights, feed intake, feed conversion, and adjusted feed conversion), carcass yield (chill, fat pad, breast, thigh, wing, and drum weight), or percentage of moisture, protein, and fat in breast meat and moisture and fat in thigh meat. Thigh protein was similar (P > 0.05) in broilers fed diets containing MON 88017 x MON 810 and conventional control or all commercial reference corns; however, differences (P < 0.05) were noted for the percentage of thigh protein among broilers fed the control and 2 of the 5 reference diets, attributable to biological variability among the conventional corn hybrids. Broilers overall performed consistently and had similar carcass yield and meat composition when fed diets containing MON 88017 or MON 88017 x MON 810 as compared with those fed the conventional control and commercial diets, supporting a conclusion of nutritional equivalence.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2005

Comparison of broiler performance when fed diets containing corn grain with insect-protected (corn rootworm and European corn borer) and herbicide-tolerant (glyphosate) traits, control corn, or commercial reference corn.

A 42-d feeding experiment with growing Ross x Ross 508 broilers showed that the nutritional value of insect-protected and herbicide-tolerant corn was comparable to that of the genetically similar control and 5 commercial reference corn hybrids. MON 88017 provides protection from feeding damage by coleopteran pest corn rootworm and is tolerant to the action of glyphosate, the active ingredient in the Roundup family of agricultural herbicides. MON 88017 x MON 810 was developed by the traditional breeding of MON 88017 with MON 810, which provides protection from the European corn borer and other lepidopteran pests. A randomized complete block design was used with 8 dietary treatments in each of 5 replicated blocks of pens. No differences among diets were observed (P > 0.05) in performance (final live weights, feed intake, feed conversion, and adjusted feed conversion), carcass yield (chill, fat pad, breast, thigh, wing, and drum weight), or percentage of moisture, protein, and fat in breast meat and moisture and fat in thigh meat. Thigh protein was similar (P > 0.05) in broilers fed diets containing MON 88017 x MON 810 and conventional control or all commercial reference corns; however, differences (P < 0.05) were noted for the percentage of thigh protein among broilers fed the control and 2 of the 5 reference diets, attributable to biological variability among the conventional corn hybrids. Broilers overall performed consistently and had similar carcass yield and meat composition when fed diets containing MON 88017 or MON 88017 x MON 810 as compared with those fed the conventional control and commercial diets, supporting a conclusion of nutritional equivalence.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2005

Decontamination assessment of Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus subtilis, and Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores on indoor surfaces using a hydrogen peroxide gas generator.

AIMS: To evaluate the decontamination of Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus subtilis, and Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores on indoor surface materials using hydrogen peroxide gas. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacillus anthracis, B. subtilis, and G. stearothermophilus spores were dried on seven types of indoor surfaces and exposed to > or =1000 ppm hydrogen peroxide gas for 20 min. Hydrogen peroxide exposure significantly decreased viable B. anthracis, B. subtilis, and G. stearothermophilus spores on all test materials except G. stearothermophilus on industrial carpet. Significant differences were observed when comparing the reduction in viable spores of B. anthracis with both surrogates. The effectiveness of gaseous hydrogen peroxide on the growth of biological indicators and spore strips was evaluated in parallel as a qualitative assessment of decontamination. At 1 and 7 days postexposure, decontaminated biological indicators and spore strips exhibited no growth, while the nondecontaminated samples displayed growth. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in decontamination efficacy of hydrogen peroxide gas on porous and nonporous surfaces were observed when comparing the mean log reduction in B. anthracis spores with B. subtilis and G. stearothermophilus spores. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results provide comparative information for the decontamination of B. anthracis spores with surrogates on indoor surfaces using hydrogen peroxide gas.

Bacillaceae↗
PubMed2004

Histoplasma capsulatum yeast cells attach and agglutinate human erythrocytes.

The ability of yeast cells of Histoplasma capsulatum to attach and agglutinate human erythrocytes has been described. This is the first report involving these yeasts in the hemagglutination phenomenon. Results revealed that the yeast cells were able to bind to erythrocytes irrespective of blood groups and to agglutinate them when a high density of yeast cells was used. Assays on the inhibition of yeast attachment to erythrocytes were also performed, using sugar-treated yeast cells. Results indicate that galactose (Gal), mainly the beta-anomer, specially inhibited yeast attachment. Disaccharides (Gal-derivatives) and glycosaminoglycans containing Gal residues, mainly chondroitin sulfate C, promote this type of inhibition. In addition, preliminary data of inhibition assays also involved a probable ionic strength driven mechanism mediated by sialic acid and heparan sulfate, suggesting that yeast binding to erythrocytes could be associated with negative charges of both molecules.

Blood Group Antigens↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of broiler performance when fed diets containing roundup ready (event RT73), nontransgenic control, or commercial canola meal.

A 42-d experiment compared the nutritional value of genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant (Roundup Ready event RT73) canola meal to that of conventional canola meal when fed to rapidly growing Ross x Ross 508 broilers using a randomized complete block design. Five pens of males and 5 pens of females were used in each of 8 canola meal treatments (glyphosate-tolerant, nontransgenic control, and 6 commercial varieties). Broilers (10 birds/pen) were fed approximately 25% wt/wt canola meal during the first 20 d and 20% wt/wt canola meal thereafter. In general, performance response variables for glyphosate-tolerant canola meal were not different (P > 0.05) than those for the nontransgenic and commercial canola meals. Carcass fat pad, breast meat, thighs, legs, and wings (on a percentage basis) were similar across treatments (P > 0.05). Expressed as percentage of live weight, chill weight of the broilers fed diets containing glyphosate-tolerant canola meal was not different from those fed all other diets, but some differences were observed between the nontransgenic control and commercial diets. No major differences were observed in percentage of moisture, protein, and fat in breast or thigh meat (P > 0.05) across treatments. Comparisons of the glyphosate-tolerant canola diet to the population of all other diets (combining sexes) showed no major differences (P > 0.05) in performance, carcass yields, or moisture, protein, and fat in breast and thigh meat. Broilers fed diets containing glyphosate-tolerant canola meal had similar growth performance to birds fed nontransgenic control and commercial canola diets.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

An imported case of Blastomyces dermatitidis infection in Mexico.

Blastomycosis is an acute or chronic primary infection of the respiratory system, endemic in North America (United States of America and Canada), Africa and Asia. We report a case in Mexico, in a three years old child who had been born in California and lived in Chicago, U.S.A. The patient presented pulmonary symptoms prior to development of a skin ulcer. Blastomyces dermatitidis was identified by mycological and molecular procedures. The patient was successfully treated with amphotericin B, oral ketoconazole and itraconazole.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of broiler performance when fed diets containing grain from YieldGard Rootworm (MON863), YieldGard Plus (MON810 x MON863), nontransgenic control, or commercial reference corn hybrids.

Two 42-d experiments compared the nutritional value of YieldGard Rootworm corn (MON863; experiment 1) and YieldGard Plus corn (MON810 x MON863; experiment 2) to their respective nontransgenic controls and 6 commercial reference corn hybrids when fed to growing broilers. For each experiment, a randomized complete block design was used with 8 dietary treatments in each of 5 replicated blocks of pens. In experiment 1, no differences among diets were observed (P > 0.05) for final live weights and feed conversion. Broilers fed diets containing MON863 corn had adjusted feed conversion similar to the nontransgenic control and the population of control and commercial diets. On a weight basis, there were no differences among diets for chill, fat pad, and thigh, drum, and wing weights. Differences (P < 0.05) between MON863 and commercial corn diets were noted for breast meat, chill and thigh, drum, and wing weights on a percentage of weight basis. No differences were observed (P > 0.05) in the percentage of moisture, protein, and fat in breast meat or thigh meat across treatment diets. In experiment 2, there were no significant differences among diets for all broiler performance and carcass parameters evaluated. Broilers overall performed consistently and had similar carcass yields and meat compositions when fed diets containing MON863 corn or MON810 x MON863 corn as compared with their respective nontransgenic control and commercial diets, supporting a conclusion of similar feeding values among diets.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2003

Attempts to detect transgenic and endogenous plant DNA and transgenic protein in muscle from broilers fed YieldGard Corn Borer Corn.

Questions regarding the digestive fate of DNA and protein from transgenic grain have been raised in regard to human consumption and trade of animal products (e.g., meat, milk, and eggs) from farm animals fed transgenic crops. Using highly sensitive, fully characterized analytical methods, fragments of transgenic and endogenous plant DNA, as well as transgenic protein, were not detected in chicken breast muscle samples from animals fed YieldGard Corn Borer Corn event MON 810 (YG). Total DNA was extracted from breast muscle samples from chickens fed for 42 d with a diet including either 55 to 60% YG grain or 55 to 60% conventional corn grain. DNA preparations were analyzed by PCR followed by Southern blot hybridization for the presence of a 211-bp fragment of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cry1Ab gene and a 213-bp fragment of the endogenous corn gene sh2 (encoding ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase). By using 1 microg of input DNA per reaction, none of the extracted samples was positive for cry1Ab or sh2 at the limit of detection for these PCR assays. A 396-bp fragment of the chicken ovalbumin (ov) gene, used as a positive control, was amplified from all samples showing that the DNA preparations were amenable to PCR amplification. By using a competitive immunoassay with a limit of detection of approximately 60 ng of CrylAb protein per gram of chicken muscle, neither the CrylAb protein nor immunoreactive peptide fragments were detectable in the breast muscle homogenates from chickens fed YG grain.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of broiler performance when fed diets containing grain from roundup ready (NK603), yieldgard x roundup ready (MON810 x NK603), non-transgenic control, or commercial corn.

Two 42-d experiments compared the nutritional value of the glyphosate-tolerant corn event NK603 (Roundup Ready corn) (experiment 1) and the combined traits, insect-protected corn event MON 810 (YieldGard com) x glyphosate-tolerant corn event NK603 (experiment 2) to their respective non-transgenic controls and to commercial reference corn, when fed to growing broilers. For each experiment, a randomized complete block design was used with eight dietary treatments in each of five replicated blocks of pens (eight pens for males and eight pens for females per block). Final live weights and feed conversion were not different (P > 0.05) across all treatments in both experiments. In experiment 1, broilers fed diets containing Roundup Ready corn had similar feed conversion adjusted for mortalities to those fed the non-transgenic control and one of the commercial corn diets. Chill weights and thigh, drum, and wing weights were not affected by diets. Differences (P < 0.05) were noted for breast meat and fat pad weights across treatments. In experiment 2, the adjusted feed conversion and carcass parameters were not affected by diets. Differences (P < 0.05) were noted only for protein content of breast meat. Differences observed in both experiments were consistent with natural variability. Broilers in general performed consistently and had similar carcass yields and meat compositions when fed diets containing Roundup Ready corn or YieldGard x Roundup Ready corn as compared with their respective non-transgenic control and commercial diets supporting similar feeding values among diets.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of broiler performance when fed diets containing grain from YieldGard (MON810), YieldGard x Roundup Ready (GA21), nontransgenic control, or commercial corn.

This 42-day experiment was undertaken to compare the nutritional value of insect-protected corn event MON810 (YieldGard) and YieldGard x herbicide-tolerant corn event GA21 (Roundup Ready) to their nontransgenic controls as well as four different commercial reference corns, when fed to growing Cobb x Cobb broilers. A randomized complete block design was used, and each treatment was replicated with five pens of males and five pens of females with 10 broilers per pen. Broilers were fed approximately 55% wt/wt corn during the first 20 d and approximately 60% wt/wt corn thereafter. The corn component of diets fed to broilers was supplied entirely with grain from the eight hybrids included in the experiment. Final live weights averaged 2.09 kg/bird fed YieldGard corn and 2.15 kg/bird fed YieldGard x Roundup Ready corn and were not different (P > 0.05) from final weights for birds fed control or commercial corn. Feed conversion was not affected (P > 0.05) by YieldGard (1.72) or YieldGard x Roundup Ready (1.77) corn feeding when compared with the feeding of other corn diets. Chill weights, fat pad, thigh weights, and wing weights were not affected by diets (P > 0.05). Differences (P < 0.05) were noted for breast and drum weights across treatments. Broilers overall performed consistently and had similar carcass yield and meat composition when fed diets containing YieldGard (event MON810) or YieldGard (event MON810) x Roundup Ready (event GA21) as compared with their nontransgenic controls and commercial diets.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2002

The prevalence of aspirin intolerant asthma (AIA) in Australian asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin intolerant asthma (AIA) is a clinically distinct syndrome characterised by the precipitation of asthma attacks following the ingestion of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The prevalence of AIA among Australian asthmatic patients has not previously been reported. METHODS: Three populations were surveyed to establish the prevalence of AIA among Australian asthmatics. Two surveys were completed in patients recruited from the metropolitan area in Perth, Western Australia, one comprising 150 recruited from hospital based sources (hospital cohort) and the second comprising 366 from the membership of the Asthma Foundation of Western Australia (Asthma Foundation cohort). In a third study 1298 individuals were randomly selected from the rural community of Busselton in Western Australia. RESULTS: The prevalence of AIA in the hospital and Asthma Foundation cohorts was found to be 10.7% and 10.4%, respectively. Univariate analyses in the Asthma Foundation cohort indicated that AIA was associated with more severe asthma (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.18 to 4.86), nasal polyposis (OR=3.19, 95% CI 1.52 to 6.68), atopy (OR=2.96, 95% CI 1.48 to 5.89), sulfite sensitivity (OR=3.97, 95% CI 1.87 to 8.41), and sensitivity to wine (OR=3.27, 95% CI 1.65 to 6.47). Multivariate analyses indicated that atopy (OR=2.80, 95% CI 1.38 to 5.70), nasal polyposis (OR=3.39, 95% CI 1.57 to 7.29), and the number of asthma attacks in the previous 12 months (OR=1.20, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.42) were independent predictors for AIA, as was wine sensitivity (OR=2.20, 95% CI 1.02 to 4.72). The prevalence of AIA among asthmatic patients in the Busselton cohort was 10.9%. In addition, 2.5% of non-diagnosed asthmatics in this cohort reported asthma symptoms following aspirin ingestion. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms triggered by aspirin/NSAID use was found to be 10-11% in patients with asthma and 2.5% in non-asthmatics. Aspirin sensitivity appears to be a significant problem in the community and further investigations of the mechanisms of these responses and the possible link between this syndrome and other food and chemical sensitivities are required.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The Kit-activating mutation D816V enhances stem cell factor--dependent chemotaxis.

The D816V mutation of c-kit has been detected in patients with mastocytosis. This mutation leads to constitutive tyrosine kinase activation of Kit. Because stem cell factor (SCF), the ligand for Kit (CD117(+)), is a chemoattractant for CD117(+) cells and one feature of mastocytosis is an abnormal collection of mast cells in tissues derived from CD34(+)CD117(+) mast cell precursors, the hypothesis was considered that the D816V mutation would enhance chemotaxis of these precursor cells. Constructs encoding wild-type Kit or Kit bearing the D816V mutation were transfected into Jurkat cells, labeled with Calcein-AM, and migration to SCF assessed in the presence or absence of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Chemotaxis to SCF was enhanced in D816V transfectants compared to wild-type Kit transfectants (P <.002). Migration of both transfectants was inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors, although D816V transfectants were more sensitive. Chemotaxis was next performed on CD34(+)CD117(+) circulating mast cell precursors obtained from patients with mastocytosis. Analysis of prechemotaxis and migrated cells showed that whereas less than 10% in the prechemotaxis sample had the D816V mutation, 40% to 80% of migrated cells had this mutation. These results demonstrate that the D816V Kit mutation enhances chemotaxis of CD117(+) cells, offering one explanation for increased mast cells observed in tissues of patients with mastocytosis. (Blood. 2001;98:1195-1199)

Antigens, CD34↗
PubMed2001

Lyn is required for normal stem cell factor-induced proliferation and chemotaxis of primary hematopoietic cells.

Stem cell factor (SCF) binds to c-Kit and is an important mediator of survival, growth, and function of hematopoietic progenitor cells and mast cells. Lyn and other Src family members are activated by SCF and associate with phosphorylated tyrosine residues in the c-Kit juxtamembrane region. However, studies using c-Kit mutants incapable of directly recruiting Src family members suggest this kinase family plays a minimal role in c-Kit stimulus-response coupling mechanisms. The objective of this study was to specifically target Lyn and subsequently address its role in SCF-mediated responses of primary hematopoietic progenitor cells and mast cells. To this end, a dominant-inhibitory Lyn mutant and Lyn-deficient mice were used. Transfection of normal murine mast cells with kinase-inactive Lyn impaired SCF-induced growth. Further, SCF-induced proliferation and chemotaxis of Lyn-deficient mast cells were less than for wild-type mast cells. SCF-induced growth of progenitor cells lacking Lyn was also reduced compared with that of wild-type progenitor cells. Impairment of SCF-mediated responses of Lyn-deficient mast cells and progenitor cells did not result from reductions in surface expression of c-Kit. These studies demonstrate that Lyn is required for normal SCF-mediated responses of primary progenitors and for a differentiated lineage.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Ethical issues for psychologists in pain management.

Pain management is relatively young as a specialty. Although increasing attention is being paid to issues such as pain at the end of life and pain in underserved populations, only recently has an open discussion of ethical issues in chronic pain treatment come to the fore. Psychologists specializing in pain management are faced with a myriad of ethical issues. Although many of these problems are similar to those faced by general clinical psychologists or other health psychologists, they are often made more complex by the multidisciplinary nature of pain management and by the psychologists' relationships to third-party payers (health maintenance organizations, workers' compensation), attorneys, or other agencies. An open forum exploring ethical issues is needed. This article outlines major ethical considerations faced by pain management psychologists, including patient autonomy and informed consent, confidentiality, reimbursement and dual relationships, patient abandonment, assessment for medical procedures, clinical research, and the interface of psychology and medicine. American Psychological Association ethical principles and principles of biomedical ethics need to be considered in ethical decision making. Further exploration and discussion of ethics for pain management psychologists are recommended.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Acute hypoxia-induced alterations of calbindin-D28k immunoreactivity in cerebellar Purkinje cells of the guinea pig fetus at term.

Purkinje cells (PCs) are vulnerable to hypoxic/ischemic insults and rich in calcium and calcium-buffering/sequestering systems, including calcium-binding proteins (CaBPs). Calbindin-D28k is an EF-hand CaBP, which is highly expressed in PCs where it acts primarily as a cellular Ca++ buffer. Elevation of [Ca++] in the cytosol and nuclei of PCs is pivotal in hypoxic/ischemic cell death. We hypothesize that hypoxia results in decreased concentration, or availability of calbindin-D28k in PCs, thereby decreasing their buffering capacity and resulting in increase of intracellular and intranuclear [Ca++]. Cerebellar tissues from normoxic fetuses were compared to fetuses obtained from term pregnant guinea pigs exposed to hypoxia [7% FiO2] for 60 min. The pregnant guinea pigs were either killed upon delivery immediately following hypoxia (Hx0h) or were subsequently allowed to recover for 24 h (Hx24h) or 72 h (Hx72h). Fetal brain hypoxia was documented biochemically by a decrease in brain tissue levels of ATP and phosphocreatine. Compared to normoxic fetuses, there is a predominantly somatodendritic loss or decrease of calbindin-D28k immunohistochemical staining in PCs of Hx0h (p < 0.005), Hx24h (p < 0.05), and Hx72h (p < 0.005) fetuses. Hypoxia-induced alterations of calbindin-D28k immunoreactivity are qualitatively similar at all time points and include a distinctive intranuclear localization in subpopulations of PCs. A similar trend is demonstrated by immunoblotting. Subpopulations of TUNEL+/calbindin-D28k- PCs lacking morphologic features of apoptosis or necrosis are demonstrated in Hx24h and Hx72h fetuses. The present study demonstrates an abrogating effect of perinatal hypoxia on calbindin-D28k immunoreactivity in cerebellar PCs. The perturbation of this Ca++ buffer protein in hypoxia-induced neuronal injury may herald delayed cell death or degeneration.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Effect of energy restriction and exercise on vitamin B-6 status of women during lactation.

PURPOSE: Lactation increases vitamin B-6 requirements because its concentration in breast milk is related to maternal intake and it is essential for infants. Exercise may also increase the requirement because it increases utilization and excretion of vitamin B-6. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether energy restriction and exercise affected vitamin B-6 status of lactating women. METHODS: Breastfeeding women with a body mass index > or = 25 and < or = 30 kg x m(-2) were randomly assigned at 4 wk postpartum to either restrict energy intake by 500 kcal x d(-1) and exercise for 45 min x d(-1), 4 d x wk(-1) (weight loss group, WG) or maintain usual diet and not exercise (control group, CG) for 10 wk. Women were given a supplement containing 2.0 mg of vitamin B-6. Measurements included vitamin B-6 concentrations in breast milk and plasma, plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, and erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activity. RESULTS: The WG lost more weight (-4.4 +/- 0.4 vs -0.9 +/- 0.5 kg, P < 0.01) than the CG. Cardiovascular fitness increased by 12% in the WG, compared to 3% in the CG (P = 0.09). Milk vitamin B-6 concentrations increased in both groups (161 +/- 107 and 191 +/- 85 nmol x L(-1), WG and CG, respectively, P = 0.05). There were no significant differences in other vitamin B-6 parameters. Weight and length gain (2.06 +/- 0.21 and 1.83 +/- 0.17 kg; 8.6 +/- 0.6 and 7.2 +/- 0.5 cm; WG and CG, respectively) of infants was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Energy restriction and exercise from 4 to 14 wk postpartum in overweight, breastfeeding women consuming adequate dietary intakes and 2.0 mg of supplemental vitamin B-6 does not adversely affect vitamin B-6 status or infant growth.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Psychosocial challenges in transplantation.

The authors review the psychosocial aspects of transplantation. They first review psychosocial risk factors that place transplant patients at higher risk for noncompliance and negative outcomes. They then discuss what assessments should be included in a pretransplantation psychosocial evaluation. Goals of the psychosocial evaluation include selection of candidates most likely to benefit from transplantation and identification of areas for psychosocial intervention, both before and after transplantation. The assessment should address the patient's premorbid psychiatric state, past adaptation to stressors, history of compliance with treatment, substance abuse history, and level of social support, including community and faith-based support systems. Results of psychometric assessments may be helpful when considered in conjunction with a clinical interview and other sources of information about the patient. It may also be helpful to use a screening tool developed specifically to evaluate psychosocial factors relevant to transplantation, such as the Psychological Assessment of Candidates for Transplantation (PACT) scale and the Transplantation Evaluation Rating Scale (TERS). The authors then review issues related to psychopharmacologic interventions in transplant patients, including the use of antidepressant medication pre- and post-transplant, strategies for avoiding delirium associated with immunosuppressive medications immediately post-transplantation, neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with interferon alpha therapy for hepatitis C, and interactions between over-the-counter and herbal agents (e.g., St. John's Wort) and immunosuppressive agents. Although limited research has been done on nonpharmacologic interventions, such as transplant support groups, it appears that certain types of group therapy, in particular, cognitive-behavioral groups that target specific risk factors such as depression, distress, and compliance, may also offer promising approaches for dealing with the problems of transplant patients. The authors then focus on two special situations that create particular problems for transplantation teams: liver transplantation in patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and obesity in transplant patients. The authors conclude that the prognosis for patients with ALD who receive liver transplantation is similar to that of non-alcoholics and that alcoholism is not a contraindication for liver transplantation. However, careful preliminary psychosocial assessment is essential to review candidates for factors that are predictive of relapse, while close follow-up post-transplantation can help improve outcomes. It appears that obesity can increase the risk of negative outcomes in transplant patients, although there is currently no consensus on the use of obesity as an exclusion criteria. Interventions that take into account the special psychological and medical needs of transplant patients need to be developed for treating obesity both pre- and post-transplantation. Improved strategies for identifying high-risk patients and finding ways to intervene both pre- and post-transplantation can not only help lengthen transplant recipients' life spans, but also improve their adaptation to transplantation and lead to improved quality of life.

Journal Article↗