Neonatal asphyxia may lead to cardiac and renal complications perhaps mediated by oxygen free radicals. Using a model of neonatal hypoxia-reoxygenation, we tested the hypothesis that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) would improve cardiac function and renal blood flow. Eighteen piglets (aged 1-4 days old, weighing 1.4-2.2 kg) were anesthetized and acutely instrumented for continuous monitoring of pulmonary and renal artery flow (cardiac index [CI] and renal artery flow index [RAFI], respectively) and mean blood pressure. Alveolar hypoxia was induced for 2 h, followed by resuscitation with 100% oxygen for 1 h and 21% oxygen for 3 h. Animals were randomized to sham-operated, hypoxic control, and NAC treatment (i.v. bolus of 150 mg/kg given at 10 min of reoxygenation followed by 100 mg/kg per h infusion) groups. Myocardial and renal tissue glutathione content and lipid hydroperoxide levels were assayed, and histology was examined. After 2 h of hypoxia, all animals were acidotic (pH 6.96 +/- 0.04) and in cardiogenic shock with depressed renal blood flow. Upon reoxygenation, CI and RAFI increased but gradually deteriorated later. The NAC treatment prevented the decreased CI, stroke volume, mean blood pressure, systemic oxygen delivery, RAFI, and renal oxygen delivery at 2 to 4 h of reoxygenation observed in hypoxic controls (versus shams, all P< 0.05). The myocardial and renal tissue glutathione content was significantly higher in the NAC treatment group (versus controls). The CI and RAFI at 4 h of reoxygenation correlated with the tissue glutathione redox ratio (r = 0.5 and 0.6, respectively, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in heart rate, pulmonary artery pressure, systemic oxygen uptake, and tissue lipid hydroperoxide levels between groups. No histologic injury was found in the heart or kidney. In this porcine model of neonatal hypoxia and 100% reoxygenation, NAC improved cardiac function and renal perfusion, with improved tissue glutathione content.

A new high-frequency red cell antigen has been identified and named GIL. GIL differs from all high-frequency antigens included in the International Society of Blood Transfusion classification. There is very little family information and GIL has not been shown to be an inherited character. Five women with anti-GIL have been found. All had been pregnant at least twice. Red blood cells of two of the babies gave positive direct antiglobulin tests, but there were no clinical signs of hemolytic disease. Anti-GIL may have been responsible for a hemolytic transfusion reaction and results of monocyte monolayer assays of two of the anti-GIL suggested a potential to cause destruction of trans-

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The Atlin Integrated Geoscience Project, jointly funded by federal and provincial governments, entered its third and final year in 2002-2003. It is designed to advance understanding of the geological evolution and mineral potential of the northern Cache Creek terrane. Project accomplishments for year three include 1) characterization of Cache Creek Group biostratigraphy and tectonostratigraphy; 2) new surficial geology map outlining placer potential in the Atlin area; 3) improved understanding of the age, composition, emplacement, and metallogenic potential of Mesozoic plutonic rocks; 4) better definition of the distribution and paleoenvironment of Neogene volcanism; 5) delivery of a one-day workshop on magnetic surveying to prospectors and the general public. High-grade copper mineralization was discovered by personnel from the provincial survey. The discovery, named Joss'alun, is hosted within oceanic crustal rocks of the Cache Creek terrane. Mineralization appears concordant with the enclosing volcanic stratigraphy. If syngenetic, it establishes the terrane's volcanogenic massive sulphide potential.