Retention Of Tissues Research Articles

Hif-2α programs oxygen chemosensitivity in chromaffin cells.

The study of transcription factors that determine specialized neuronal functions has provided invaluable insights into the physiology of the nervous system. Peripheral chemoreceptors are neurone-like electrophysiologically excitable cells that link the oxygen concentration of arterial blood to the neuronal control of breathing. In the adult, this oxygen chemosensitivity is exemplified by type I cells of the carotid body, and recent work has revealed one isoform of the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF), HIF-2α, as having a nonredundant role in the development and function of that organ. Here, we show that activation of HIF-2α, including isolated overexpression of HIF-2α but not HIF-1α, is sufficient to induce oxygen chemosensitivity in adult adrenal medulla. This phenotypic change in the adrenal medulla was associated with retention of extra-adrenal paraganglioma-like tissues resembling the fetal organ of Zuckerkandl, which also manifests oxygen chemosensitivity. Acquisition of chemosensitivity was associated with changes in the adrenal medullary expression of gene classes that are ordinarily characteristic of the carotid body, including G protein regulators and atypical subunits of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase. Overall, the findings suggest that, at least in certain tissues, HIF-2α acts as a phenotypic driver for cells that display oxygen chemosensitivity, thus linking 2 major oxygen-sensing systems.

Near-infrared fluorescence imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma cells regulated by β-catenin signaling pathway.

Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging has recently emerged as a promising tool for noninvasive cancer imaging. However, lack of tumor sensitivity and specificity restricts the application of NIRF dyes in surgical navigation. Herein, we investigated the imaging features of NIRF dye MHI-148 and indocyanine green (ICG) in live cell imaging and xenograft nude mice models. TCGA dataset analysis and immunohistochemistry were conducted to investigate the expression of OATPs or ABCGs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. OATPs or ABCGs were knocked down and overexpressed in HCC cells using transient transfection by siRNA and plasmids or stable transfection by lentivirus. Further, qRT-PCR ,Western blotting and the use of agonists or inhibitors targeting β-catenin signaling pathway were applied to explore its important role in regulation of OATP2B1 and ABCG2 expression. Here we demonstrated that NIRF dye MHI-148 was biocompatible as indocyanine green (ICG) but with higher imaging intensity and preferential uptake and retention in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and tissues. Moreover, our data indicated that membrane transporters OATP2B1 and ABCG2, which regulated by β-catenin signaling pathway, mediated tumor-specific accumulation and retention of MHI-148 in HCC cells. In addition, the treatment with β-catenin inhibitor significantly enhanced the accumulation of MHI-148 in HCC tissues and improved the efficacy of tumor imaging with MHI-148 in vivo. Our study uncovers a mechanism that links the distribution and expression of the membrane transporters OATP2B1 and ABCG2 to the tumor-specific accumulation of MHI-148, and provides evidence supporting a regulating role of the β-catenin signaling pathway in OATP2B1 and ABCG2- induced retention of MHI-148 inHCC tissues, and strategy targeting key components of MHI-148 transport machinery may be a potential approach to improve HCC imaging.

Nutrient capsules maintain tear film homeostasis for human corneal lenticule transplantation

Corneal lenticule transplantation can be applied in the correction of refractive errors and various corneal diseases. However, current techniques to preserve cornea are limited due to their short preservation time and the structures and optical retention of cornea tissues. Inspired by the composition of the natural human tear film, a nutrient hydrogel capsule that could maintain the homeostasis of tear film was constructed for preserving human corneal lenticules in this study. The nutritional preservation solution containing sodium alginate was coordinated with calcium ions by rapid diffusion to form a stereoscopic capsule, in which chondroitin sulfate interacted with the corneal lenticule surface electrostatically to form a lubricating layer for three-dimensional preservation and nutritional supply. The light transmittance, cell activity, and collagen fiber density of human corneal lenticules after mid-term preservation in nutrient capsules were higher than those traditional preservation methods. Furthermore, after human allogeneic transplantation, the implanted lenticules remained transparent without displacement or graft rejection, and the corrected distance visual acuity increased by two or more lines in 70% of the patients’ operated eyes after surgery. Nutrient capsules could provide not only a simple, safe, and controlled strategy for three-dimensional preservation, but also new approach for other living tissues preservation.

Insight on recent development in metallic biomaterials: Strategies involving synthesis, types and surface modification for advanced therapeutic and biomedical applications

Metallic biomaterials are man-made systems that aid in the retention of biological tissues in a variety of applications, such as joint replacements, dental implants, orthopaedic fixations, and stenting. However, it has been shown that increased use of biomaterial implants is associated with implant-related problems, such as inadequate implant integration, inflammation, mechanical instability, necrosis, and infection, coupled with increased patient care, pain, and functional loss. It is necessary to alter the appearance of bio-inert metals, such as titanium and cobalt-based alloys, to make them more useful. Surface structuring and coating with bioactive ceramic and polymer thin films are some of the approaches used in this research. Owing to their resistance towards corrosion, which means that they can last for a long time while also having a great deal of strength, bio-inert materials are important for a wide range of load-bearing functions. However, they do not cause long-term harm to the host in either the local or systemic environment. In this review, we will discuss the major representatives of metallic biomaterials and their potential applications in the medical field, their synthesis and characteristics were mentioned, as well as the key existing and emerging strategies for surface and bulk modification of metallic biomaterials with respect to the emerging strategies in the medical treatment were optimized, which are used to improve the bio integration, mechanical strength, and flexibility of biometals, as well as their biocompatibility. Also discussed are the potential applications of metallic biomaterials in the field of medicine.

Prevalence and risk factors of severe postpartum hemorrhage: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundAlthough maternal deaths are rare in developed regions, the morbidity associated with severe postpartum hemorrhage (SPPH) remains a major problem. To determine the prevalence and risk factors of SPPH, we analyzed data of women who gave birth in Guangzhou Medical Centre for Critical Pregnant Women, which received a large quantity of critically ill obstetric patients who were transferred from other hospitals in Southern China.MethodsIn this study, we conducted a retrospective case-control study to determine the prevalence and risk factors for SPPH among a cohort of women who gave birth after 28 weeks of gestation between January 2015 and August 2019. SPPH was defined as an estimated blood loss ≥1000 mL and total blood transfusion≥4 units. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for SPPH.ResultsSPPH was observed in 532 mothers (1.56%) among the total population of 34,178 mothers. Placenta-related problems (55.83%) were the major identified causes of SPPH, while uterine atony without associated retention of placental tissues accounted for 38.91%. The risk factors for SPPH were maternal age < 18 years (adjusted OR [aOR] = 11.52, 95% CI: 1.51–87.62), previous cesarean section (aOR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.90–3.47), history of postpartum hemorrhage (aOR = 4.94, 95% CI: 2.63–9.29), conception through in vitro fertilization (aOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.31–2.43), pre-delivery anemia (aOR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.88–3.00), stillbirth (aOR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.02–6.69), prolonged labor (aOR = 5.24, 95% CI: 3.10–8.86), placenta previa (aOR = 9.75, 95% CI: 7.45–12.75), placenta abruption (aOR = 3.85, 95% CI: 1.91–7.76), placenta accrete spectrum (aOR = 8.00, 95% CI: 6.20–10.33), and macrosomia (aOR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.38–3.83).ConclusionMaternal age < 18 years, previous cesarean section, history of PPH, conception through IVF, pre-delivery anemia, stillbirth, prolonged labor, placenta previa, placental abruption, PAS, and macrosomia were risk factors for SPPH. Extra vigilance during the antenatal and peripartum periods is needed to identify women who have risk factors and enable early intervention to prevent SPPH.

Βιοηθικά ζητήματα της χρήσης πτωματικών βιολογικών υλικών στην εκπαίδευση και στην έρευνα

Can someone claim property rights on a corps e? If so, to whom it belongs? If not, are there anylimits to the "use exploitation" of the human body? This paper discusses the ethical issues that arise ineducation and research with cadaveric materials by conducting a review of the international litera ture. Inthe light of various scandals concerning the retention of cadaveric tissues and organs and their use ineducation and research, the legislative framework in the UK was revised in 2006 to regulate themanagement of a corpse. Similar acts exist in m any other countries. In Greece, the current legal systemonly regulates the use of biological materials for transplantation, leaving a "gap" in education andresearch issues after death. Greece must leave behind the paternalism of the past and follow the p rinciplesof information and consent.

Autopsy and religion: A review of the literature

In spite of immense benefits derivable from carrying out autopsy on the dead, its practice has been very limited in northern Nigeria. One of the reasons for this is the perception that religion opposes the practice of autopsy. Using online search engines and religious doctrinal literature including the Qur'an, Bible and Talmud, a review of their teachings regarding autopsies was conducted. Findings were then harmonized with the practice of autopsy in its present form. Available literature reveals that the religious impediments include the permissibility or otherwise of the procedure, timing, opposite sexes seeing the corpse's nakedness, body mutilation, exhumation of the dead and retention of organs or tissues for teaching purposes. This study concludes that no religion expressly condemns the practice of autopsying the dead, and that the meeting points for various religions and the practice of autopsy is the need for learning and dispensation of justice. However, there is also a common agreement on the need for the procedure to be done promptly and to maintain the dignity of the dead during the procedure.

Особенности применения биостимулирующих нитей у пациентов разных возрастных групп

Currently, cosmetic market presents a wide variety of threads for skin rejuvenation. A special place among them is occupied by biostimulation threads, providing aesthetic effect is not due to the mechanical movement of soft tissues and their fixation, and by improving skin state. The set of threads in the soft tissue causes three different anti-aging effects: lifting, reinforcing and biostimulation. Data from clinical practice show that each specific sample of threads is characterized by a vivid manifestation of any one of the effects and moderates manifestation of the other two. &#x0D; The prevailing aesthetic effect can be used as an integral indicator, because other private characteristic and properties of threads depend on it. On the basis of this for clinical practice the authors use the classification with the division of all cosmetic threads into three types: lifting, reinforcing and biostimulating.&#x0D; Biostimulating threads occupy a special position, because they provide aesthetic effect, which isn’t based on mechanical movement and retention of the soft tissues, but to stimulate the natural rejuvenation processes. Standard set consists of a hollow flexible needle guide (25-31 G, 2.5 to 12 cm) and freely posted in her thread, the tail section which, coming out of the cut needle, fixed with a piece of foam or foam rubber.&#x0D; The article proposes ways of application of biostimulating threads depending on the age of the patients, schema of installation of the mesothreads from polydioxanone, discusses the possibility of their use in complex methods. &#x0D; Comparing Russian and Asian schools on mesothreads use, the authors suggest that the process of opti-mization of the considered methods of skin rejuvenation is far from its completion.&#x0D;

Real-time near-body drug screening during autopsy I: use of the Randox biochip drugs of abuse DOA I and DOA II immunoassays

Screening for drugs of abuse is widely employed as part of forensic toxicology investigations. The nature of specimens collected at autopsy varies depending on local customs, the case circumstances, and the condition of the cadaver. It is generally accepted that wherever possible specimens of peripheral blood, liver, stomach contents, vitreous humor, and muscle can be useful for toxicological analysis. In some countries, legislation or religious custom may mitigate against the removal of postmortem tissue unless shown to be necessary. The availability of a sensitive and broad ranging near-body screening test may provide a useful tool to assist pathologists in making decisions regarding the retention of tissues for toxicology analysis. We describe the performance of the Randox drugs-of-abuse (DOA) arrays, DOA I and DOA II, for near-body screening using whole blood, urine, vitreous humor, liver, and psoas major muscle. Samples were obtained from 106 autopsies and screened for the presence of amphetamine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, benzoylecgonine, buprenorphine, cannabinoids, fentanyl, ketamine, lysergic acid diethylamide, methadone, methamphetamine, methaqualone, methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (Ecstasy), opiates, oxycodone, phencyclidine, and propoxyphene in the mortuary whilst the postmortem was being performed. Blood from each case underwent confirmatory analysis using either gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry or diode array detection. Excellent agreement between the near-body screening tests on a variety of tissues and confirmatory analyses in blood was obtained.

Screw‐ Versus Cement‐Retained Restorations for Provisionalization of Implants

Type of Case: The fabrication of provisional prostheses is a treatment modality that is used to support and develop soft‐tissue contours and improved health of a dental implant site before final restoration. The use of a provisional restoration may improve the esthetics and allow evaluation of the crown anatomy and soft‐tissue interface. Developing the crown and soft tissue in the provisional phase allows the practitioner, patient, and laboratory technician to evaluate the potential for achieving the desired outcome. This paper contrasts the two predominant methods for fabricating provisional restorations and assesses their use in implant dentistry.Clinical Approach #1 (AN, MN, and SP): There is very limited evidence on selecting different types of connection for implant provisional restorations. Although basic restorative principles apply, the selection between screw‐ over cement‐retained provisional restorations is still based on empirical criteria. The use of cement‐retained provisional restorations provides superior esthetics, even when implant position is not favorable. Conversely, the use of screw‐retained provisionals eliminates the deleterious effects of cement. This approach aims to provide the indications for the different types of connection and to critically analyze their advantages and disadvantages.Clinical Approach #2 (SJO and P‐RL): Provisional restoration of implants in the esthetic zone improves the retention of hard and soft tissues and results in overall improved esthetic. Additionally, the fabrication of a provisional at the time of implant placement is a patient‐centered treatment and shortens duration of treatment. This approach identifies important objectives for fabrication techniques. Various methods for fabricating cemented provisional prostheses are discussed, including numerous commercially available prefabricated abutments. The advantages and disadvantages are presented for each technique. Inherent technique difficulties and recommendations to avoid cement retention and timely fabrication are presented. Clinical scenarios are used to illustrate the inherent advantage of cemented restorations over screw‐retained approaches

The Human Tissue Act 2004 and the child donor

In 2001, the inquiry panel appointed to investigate the removal, retention and disposal of human organs and tissues at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital published its report. The panel's recommendations led to a new approach to consent for organ removal and storage under the new Human Tissue Act 2004. For child bone marrow donors, the new consent process requires all donor children or their parent to undergo a separate assessment before the bone marrow donation. They must be assessed by an accredited assessor who will submit a recommendation to the Human Tissue Authority for consideration. The unfortunate circumstances highlighted in the inquiry have led to changes to law, practice and culture that are benefiting other children and families.

Multifunctional Cytotoxic Stealth Nanoparticles. A Model Approach with Potential for Cancer Therapy

Here we report on a highly versatile nanoparticle-based core/shell drug delivery system consisting of cytotoxic stealth carrier particles. Their multifunctional shells, mandatory for addressing different diagnostic/treatment requirements, are constructed using a single assembly process in which various different functionalities are incorporated in a modular fashion. More specifically, we discuss a robust electrostatic and covalent layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly strategy as engineering approach toward nanoparticles with multilayer shells that combine all of the following properties: (i) a small size distribution of the nanoparticle carrier, (ii) a high stability in physiological media, (iii) attachment of a pro-drug in covalent form and thus a low toxicity of the carrier system, (iv) the triggered release and activation of the drug only after endocytosis and enzymatic cleavage, and (v) "stealthiness" and thus protection against uptake by macrophages. The fact that we employ small nanoparticles as carriers is predicted to enhance the accumulation of active drug in the tumor tissue (i.e., enhanced permeability and retention of tumor tissues, EPR). To establish this system as a proof of concept, we use the smallest nanoparticles within the interesting size range of about 25-100 nm for EPR targeting since these are the most difficult to functionalize and because they possess the highest surface area. On the basis of gold nanoparticle cores, our system allows for precise control of particle size and size distribution and also for easy monitoring of the dispersion stability by the naked eye.

Marginal tissue response to different implant neck design

Early clinical reports on osseointegration of dental implants have reported success rates of 81% in maxilla and 91% in mandible after 15 years, with marginal bone loss of 1.5 mm in the first year and approximately 0.1 mm annually from there after. This satisfied the success criteria which were published in the years to follow; they were clinical stability, in function without any symptoms and with minimal bone resorption of less than 0.2 mm annually after the first year of the implantation. The success of osseointegration of dental implant has been repeatedly demonstrated by numerous clinical studies in different implant designs, prosthodontic design and clinical situations which the implants have been applied. The improvements in longevity of dental implants need to review on the success criteria of the marginal bone loss, of approximately 0.2 mm annually after the first year. The United States National Institutes of health consensus conference in 1988 have shown their concern of stable marginal bone level and advised clinical studies to have longitudinal evaluation of bone level measurements for an accurate implant evaluation. Aesthetics, as much as function, play an important role in patient satisfaction of implant dentistry. The expected demands have led the clinician to increase their understanding and skill in implantation and restoration of the implant prosthesis. In conjunction with these attempts, improvements in the design, texture and surface chemistry of the implants have been made. Many of these are commercially available although some may only have had a short history of commercial life. The implant neck design is one of these areas of development. Micro-textured and the macro-textured surfaces were explored. These designs mainly aimed to enhance the stability of interface for both soft and hard tissue and minimise the marginal bone reduction in the first year of implantation. An animal study by Abrahamsson et al. has shown the marginal bone level differences between three different implant designs had no statistical significance. However, all three implant designs had turned surface at hard and soft tissue interface. Astrand and his colleagues compraired rough neck surfaced neck implant and turned surface over 5 years. The measurements were better in the rough surfaced neck implant but there was no statistical significance. Despite after these results, finite element studies have shown that the retentive form at the coronal portion of fixture have favourably reduced the peak interfacial shear stress at the margin and more stresses were present at the lower part of the implant. On the micro texture implant, retention of hard tissues with the micro-textured surfaces was observed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of three different implant neck designs on bone and soft tissue interface region in dogs at 8 and 12 weeks after implantation.

Consent and nothing but consent? The organ retention scandal

The organ retention scandal arose in the UK in the autumn of 1999 when knowledge of the practice of organ and tissue retention after post-mortem for subsequent diagnostic, teaching, audit and research purposes fully entered the public domain. Many families were shocked and distressed to realise that by allowing a post-mortem on their relative or child they were also deemed to have agreed to the long-term retention of organs and tissues and thus had buried or cremated, as they perceived it, not a 'whole' body but an 'empty shell'. Subsequently, informed consent was placed at the centre of recommendations for reform, now given expression in the Human Tissue Act (2004). Through a discourse analysis of the documentary evidence produced in the wake of the organ retention scandal, I argue that the emphasis on informed consent masks concerns about body wholeness. In addition, whilst informed consent is posited as key in 'balancing' the rights of the individual over the needs of medical science, this position is tempered by the concurrent presence of notions of the gift relationship and post-mortem citizenship. Incorporating these notions alongside the discourse of consent also renders concerns about the commodification of the body less acute.

Postmortem brain MRI with selective tissue biopsy as an adjunct to autopsy following neonatal encephalopathy

Following the death of a neonate it is essential that parents are given full and accurate information about the probable cause of death. Perinatal autopsy often adds new information or may even change the presumed diagnosis [Cartlidge PH, Dawson AT, Stewart JH, Vujanic GM. Value and quality of perinatal and infant postmortem examinations: cohort analysis of 400 consecutive deaths. Br Med J 1995;310(6973):155–8; Khong TY. Falling neonatal autopsy rates. Br Med J 2002;324(7340):749–50] informing decisions regarding the management of any future pregnancy. Autopsy can be considered the “gold standard” for the identification of antecedent events leading to a neonatal death. However, recent events in the UK have added to an already declining rate in neonatal autopsies [Brodlie M, Laing IA. Ten years of neonatal autopsies in tertiary referral centre: retrospective study. Br Med J 2002;324(7340):761–3]. To try and redress this balance the Chief Medical Officer has recommended that research should be commissioned into the use of non-invasive imaging to provide a similar standard of information [The Chief Medical Officer. The removal, retention and use of human organs and tissues from post mortem examination. London, England: The Stationary Office, Department of Health; 2001]. Previous publications on postmortem MRI have focused largely on investigation of the foetus and of still birth [Griffiths PD, Variend D, Evans M, Jones A, Wilkinson ID, Paley MNJ, et al. Postmortem MR imaging of the fetal and stillborn central nervous system. Am J Neuroradiol 2003;24(1):22–7; Whitby EH, Paley MN, Cohen M, GriffithsPD. Postmortem MR imaging of the fetus: an adjunct or a replacement for conventional autopsy? Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2005;10(5):475–83]. We report our experience on the use of postmortem brain MRI combined with selective tissue biopsy, in six neonatal deaths in the setting of a large district general hospital.

The Human Tissue Act: implications for clinical biochemistry

The Human Tissue Act sets out a new legal framework for the use and retention of tissues from living persons as well as the removal, retention and use of tissue and organs from the deceased. The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) has been established as the regulatory body in relation to the Act and also to give advice and guidance initially through the publication of Codes of Practice. The HTA will also license activities within the remit of the Act and will inspect to ensure compliance with the Act and licence conditions. The Act establishes consent as the essential requirement for the lawful retention and use of tissues and organs; failure to comply could result in penalties that include a custodial sentence. In addition to solid organs and tissues, the Act applies to the use of other specimens including body fluids if they contain cells. Tissue can be stored and used without consent for a number of purposes on the basis that these are integral to the general provision of clinical and diagnostic services. These include clinical audit, education or training relating to human health, performance assessment and quality assurance. In the case of research, the Act allows tissue to be used without consent, provided that the tissue is anonymized so that the researcher cannot identify from whom the material came. Linking with medical records is allowed, provided patient-identifying information is not obtained. There is a requirement to respect the wishes of any patient who specifies that they do not wish diagnostic or therapeutic samples to be kept or used for additional purposes.

Implementation of the 2005 Coroners Rules Amendments: a survey of practice in England and Wales

Background: On 1 June 2005, amendments to the Coroners Rules 1984 were introduced in England and Wales. These principally cover the retention of tissues from autopsies and their subsequent disposal....

International Perspectives

In many parts of the developed world, the role of the neonatal necropsy has diminished in status and often is regarded with suspicion and even hostility for a number of reasons. There may be a touching faith in the excellence of noninvasive technology to provide all answers. There also may be a suspicion that clinicians wish to experiment on deceased newborns. Such understandable beliefs may have stemmed, in part, from neonatologists’ failure to explain to families the limitations of sophisticated equipment and from secrecy surrounding the process of necropsy. Such secrecy was certainly pervasive but often well-meant, generally stemming from a misguided wish to protect vulnerable parents from the reality of their baby’s body being mutilated. The last 5 years have seen dramatic changes in the consent process for necropsy in the United Kingdom. In January 2001, the Redfern Report was published, following an intensive inquiry into the removal, retention, and disposal of human organs and tissues after postmortem examinations in the Royal Liverpool Children’s Hospital NHS Trust. The Report described a “systematic” removal of organs, often without consent. Throughout the United Kingdom, pediatric pathologists and histopathologists felt vilified and abandoned, and longstanding shortages in the workforce were exacerbated. As a result of public anxiety, the necropsy rate declined dramatically. We cannot tell how many families have suffered because of the decrease in information to them as a consequence of this inquiry and the extraordinary media exposure. In the following discussion, “necropsy” is our preferred word for the postmortem examination, deriving from “necros” or death. Autopsy is used more widely, but is literally “seen by oneself” from “autos”=self and “optos”=seen. Most postmortem examinations may be performed by one person, but usually are seen by several people. The easy path for neonatologists is not to ask for authorization for necropsies because …

Dietary structured lipids for post‐weaning piglets: fat digestibility, nitrogen retention and fatty acid profiles of tissues

In four groups of post-weaning piglets the effects of triacylglycerol structure and fatty acid profiles of four dietary fats on apparent faecal nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention and fatty acid profiles of platelet and erythrocyte membranes, liver, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle were examined. Dietary fats included as 10% (w/w) of the diets were two structured fats of rapeseed oil interesterified with tridecanoin (R1) or coconut oil (R2), respectively, one mixture of rapeseed oil and coconut oil (R3) and rapeseed oil as control (R4). Faeces and urine from piglets weaned at 28 days of age were collected quantitatively during three periods each of 5 days, in which the piglets were kept in metabolism cages for measurement of apparent faecal nutrient and energy digestibility and nitrogen retention. Apparent faecal fat digestibilities were significantly improved in groups fed interesterified fats or the physical mixtures (R1, R2 and R3) compared with rapeseed oil (R4). Apparent faecal nitrogen digestibility and retention were similar in all four groups in the three periods, but increased with time. Apparent faecal fat digestibilities were significantly improved from the first to the third week in the groups R1 and R2. Fatty acid profiles in platelet and erythrocyte membranes and in tissues reflected the fatty acid profile of the dietary fat, except for medium-chain fatty acids, which were only found in low proportions, indicating that 10:0 was mainly used as an energy source.

Legal and regulatory update

The Human Tissue Act received royal assent on 15th November, 2004, but its provisions will not come into force until the Secretary of State makes relevant orders by statutory instrument, which is expected to happen after 1st April, 2006. The Act will repeal and replace the Human Tissue Act 1961, the Anatomy Act 1984 and the Human Organ Transplants Act 1989. Pressure to introduce new measures arose following the public scandal surrounding the retention and use of organs and tissues from children at the Bristol Royal Infirmary and the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital, without proper consent. The purpose of the Act is to set up a framework that makes consent the foundation of all lawful activities involving whole body donation and the removal, storage and use of human organs and tissues for transplantation, anatomical examination, education, training and research. The Act does not cover gametes or embryos outside the human body, activities in relation to which are governed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Nor does the Act cover the removal of material from living persons, although it does cover the storage and use of such material. The current law relating to removal of material from living persons without their consent will continue to apply.