Effects of air exposure, temperature and additives on fermentation characteristics, yeast count, aerobic stability and volatile organic compounds in corn silage.

Ensiling conditions strongly influence fermentation characteristics, yeast count, and aerobic stability. Numerous volatile organic compounds including esters are produced, which may negatively affect feed intake and animal performance and air quality. In addition to a farm survey, 3 laboratory experiments were carried out to study the effects of air (by delayed sealing or by air infiltration during anaerobic storage), temperature (20 and 35°C), and various types of additives [blends of either sodium benzoate and sodium propionate (SBSP) or of sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (SBPS); buffered mixture of formic and propionic acids (FAPA); homofermentative inoculant (LAB)]. After additive treatment, chopped whole corn plants were packed into 1.5-L glass jars and stored for several months. For treatments with air infiltration, glass jars with holes in the lid and body were used. The farm survey in 2009 revealed large variation in lactate, acetate, ethanol, n-propanol, and 1,2-propanediol concentrations. Whereas ethyl esters were detected in all silages, the mean ethyl lactate concentrations were higher than those for ethyl acetate (474 vs. 38mg/kg of dry matter). In the ensiling experiments, few unequivocal effects of the tested factors on the analyzed parameters were observed due to many interactions. Delayed ensiling without additives decreased lactic acid production but, in one trial, increased acetic acid and had no effect on ethanol. The effect of delayed sealing on yeast counts and aerobic stability differed widely among experiments. Air infiltration during fermentation tested in one trial did not alter lactic acid production, but resulted in more acetic acid in delayed and more ethanol than in promptly sealed untreated silages. Greater ethanol production was associated with increased yeast numbers. Storage at high temperature resulted in lower lactic acid and n-propanol, and a trend toward reduced ethanol production was observed. The additive FAPA consistently caused increased ethanol and reduced n-propanol levels with no effect on yeast counts and aerobic stability. When the additives SBSP and SBPS decreased n-propanol and ethanol, reduced yeast counts were also found. Ethyl ester formation was strongly correlated with those of ethanol and to a lesser degree with those of the respective acid.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of telemedical devices for pre-clinical traffic accident emergency rescue in Germany.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness (net costs per life year gained) of telemedical devices for pre-clinical traffic accident emergency rescue in Germany. METHODS: Two equipment versions of a telemedical device are compared from a societal perspective with the baseline in Germany, i.e. the non-application of telemedicine in emergency rescues. The analysis is based on retrospective statistical data covering a period of 10 years with discounted costs not adjusted for inflation. Due to the uncertainty of data, certain assumptions and estimates were necessary. The outcome is measured in terms of "life years gained" by reducing therapy-free intervals and improvements in first-aid provided by laypersons. RESULTS: The introduction of the basic equipment version, "Automatic Accident Alert", is associated with net costs per life year gained of euro 247,977 (at baseline assumptions). The full equipment version of the telemedical device would lead to estimated net costs of euro 239,524 per life year gained. Multi-way sensitivity-analysis with best and worst case scenarios suggests that decreasing system costs would disproportionately reduce total costs, and that rapid market penetration would largely increase the system's benefit, while simultaneously reducing costs. CONCLUSION: The net costs per life year gained in the application of the two versions of the telemedical device for pre-clinical emergency rescue of traffic accidents are estimated as quite high. However, the implementation of the device as part of a larger European co-ordinated initiative is more realistic.

In vitro metabolism of fumonisin B1 by ruminal microflora.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium moniliforme and F. proliferatum. Little is known of its metabolic fate after oral ingestion in ruminants, but these animals are reported to be tolerant towards FB1. The metabolism of this mycotoxin was evaluated following incubation (1 microg/ml) in ruminal fluid for up to 72 h, in the presence or absence of alfalfa as a substrate for microbial growth, using a model rumen (sealed flask, anaerobic conditions, exclusion of light, gentle agitation, 39 degrees C). The decrease in FB1 concentration and the production of short-chain fatty acids were determined. FB1 had no effect on SCFA production. After 72 h incubation, FB1 depletion was 12% and 18% in samples with and without alfalfa, respectively. No hydrolysed metabolites (aminopolyols or aminopentol) were detected. These results indicate that FB1 is poorly metabolized in the rumen and suggest that such metabolism is not the cause of the tolerance to this toxin displayed by ruminants.

Prevention ofPenicillium roqueforti - associated aerobic deterioration of maize silage by various additives.

Application of benzoic acid (0.2%) is a technological measure to prevent aerobic deterioration of maize silages caused by yeasts and moulds, particularly byP. roqueforti. Furthermore, benzoic acid inhibits undesired butyric acid fermentations.

Adenocarcinoid tumor of the ampulla of Vater.

We report a rare case of adenocarcinoid tumor of the ampulla of Vater. The tumor contained an intermixture of adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumor and was removed successfully by pancreaticoduodenectomy. The characteristics of these rare tumors are reviewed.

Bilateral synchronous testicular germ cell cancer.

Bilateral synchronous testicular cancer is a rare occurrence usually associated with similar histologic findings in each testicle. We describe eight patients with bilateral synchronous testicular germ cell cancer, of whom four had dissimilar histologic findings. Contralateral disease in three patients was identified only by testicular ultrasonography or intraoperative exploration of the contralateral testicle, and in two cases by palpation 6 months after identification of the primary cancer. Treatment was determined by conventional staging and five of eight patients have remained free of recurrent disease.

Extramedullary hematopoiesis during therapy with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is a glycoprotein that promotes the proliferation and differentiation of neutrophils. It also results in an increase in circulating hematopoietic progenitor cells. We describe two cases of extramedullary hematopoiesis in patients receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor with chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the chest wall in a patient with Jeune's syndrome and renal transplant.

Jeune's syndrome is a rare autosomal disorder characterized by osseous dysplasia, fetal respiratory distress, and renal failure in later life. We describe a 27-year-old man with Jeune's syndrome who underwent renal transplantation and 6 years later developed a sarcoma (primitive neuroectodermal tumor [PNET]) in the soft tissue of the chest wall, a principal site of dysplasia in this disorder.

Molecular basis of complement C3 deficiency in guinea pigs.

In experiments to ascertain the biochemical basis of a genetically determined deficiency of the third component of complement (C3) in guinea pigs, we found that C3-deficient liver and peritoneal macrophages contain C3 messenger RNA of normal size (approximately 5 kb) and amounts, that this mRNA programs synthesis of pro-C3 in oocytes primed with liver RNA and in primary macrophage cultures. In each instance, heterodimeric native C3 protein was secreted with normal kinetics but the C3 protein product of the deficient cells failed to undergo autolytic cleavage and was unusually susceptible to proteolysis. These data and a selective failure of C3 in plasma of deficient animals to incorporate [14C]methylamine suggested either a mutation in primary structure of the C3 protein or a selective defect in co- or postsynthetic processing affecting the thiolester bridge, a structure important for C3 function. A mutation in the primary structure of C3 was ruled out by comparison of direct sequence analysis of C3 cDNA generated from two C3 deficient and two C3 sufficient guinea pig liver libraries. Three base pair differences, none resulting in derived amino acid sequence differences were identified. Finally, restriction fragment length polymorphisms were identified in the C3 gene that are independent of the deficiency phenotype. This marker of the C3 gene permits testing of these hypotheses using molecular biological and classical genetic methods.

Immunophenotypic markers in renal cell carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: We studied immunophenotypic and tumor cell markers in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to determine if there are patterns of expression which may correlate with biologic behavior and response to therapy. Fourteen RCCs from 13 patients were stained by the immunoperoxidase technique using primary antibodies to Leu 4, Leu 14, Leu 2a, Leu 3a and b, lysozyme, dendritic reticulum cell (DRC), S-100, HLA-DR, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and beta-2-microglobulin (B2-MG). Staining was correlated with tumor stage, nuclear grade, histologic patterns, degree of cellular infiltrate, and clinical followup. Four RCCs were stage T1, four T2, five T3, and one T4. Most tumors were clear or granular cell type, with a solid or tubular growth pattern. The number of infiltrating lymphocytes and monocytes correlated with tumor grade and stage. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were predominantly Leu 3-positive (T-helper phenotype). B-cell markers were negative. Dendritic cells were rare. HLA-DR was present on endothelial cells in 11 tumors and on tumor cells in ten. HLA-DR expression increased with tumor grade. Tumor cells expressed EMA in 12 cases; B2-MG in four cases. Two patients, stages 3 and 4, died at 2 and 6 mo. CONCLUSIONS: (a) T-helper cells and monocytes infiltrate RCCs. Their numbers increase with tumor grade and stage. (b) HLA-DR expression by tumor cells tends to correlate with increasing stage and grade. (c) Dendritic cells are infrequent in RCCs.

Sarcoidosis in an adult with cystic fibrosis.

Sarcoidosis in an adult patient with cystic fibrosis lung disease was diagnosed on the basis of pulmonary function and radiographic data. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of new diffuse interstitial infiltrates or hilar adenopathy in a patient with cystic fibrosis; biopsy of lung, lymph node, or skin lesions and interleukin-2 receptor levels may help to obtain a diagnosis.

Gastric small lymphocytic proliferation with immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in pseudolymphoma versus lymphoma.

The nature of gastric infiltrates consisting primarily of benign-appearing small lymphocytes is at present a controversial issue. Earlier reports of gastric lymphoma developing in gastric pseudolymphoma and more recent immunohistochemical studies demonstrating monoclonal B-cell populations in pseudolymphoma suggest that at least some cases represent low-grade lymphomas or clonal precursor lesions that may develop into lymphoma. Observations of a small lymphocytic infiltrate arising in the region of a gastric ulcer that lacked definitive morphologic evidence of malignancy (lymphoma) but was clearly a monoclonal B-cell proliferation by immunohistochemical and gene rearrangement studies support the notion that some gastric lymphoproliferative lesions that histologically have been called pseudolymphomas may include one or more clonal lymphoid expansions. A histopathologic/molecular model suggesting a potential pathway for the development of morphologically recognizable lymphoma from benign-appearing small lymphocytic infiltrates is presented, and the concept that for a variety of lymphoid proliferations clonality and malignancy may not be synonymous is discussed.

The alpha 1-antitrypsin gene is expressed in a human intestinal epithelial cell line.

alpha 1-Antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) is considered a typical plasma protein and a prototype of the serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) family. It is synthesized in hepatocytes and, to a lesser extent, in macrophages. In this study we show that the alpha 1-AT gene is also expressed in human intestine and in a human colonic epithelial tumor cell line, Caco2. A single 1.6-kilobase alpha 1-AT-specific mRNA is present in jejunum and in Caco2 cells. It is identical in apparent size to that present in human hepatoma HepG2 cells but slightly smaller than that present in human macrophages, cells in which an alternative upstream transcriptional start site is used. Synthesis and secretion of alpha 1-AT in Caco2 cells is similar to that in HepG2 cells. It is synthesized as an approximately 52-kDa precursor polypeptide, converted to its mature, fully glycosylated 55-kDa form intracellularly, and the native protein is secreted with a half-time of 37 min. Functionally active alpha 1-AT is secreted into the basolateral and apical (luminal) fluid in pulse-chase labeling experiments of Caco2 cells cultured in polarized orientation on collagen-coated nitrocellulose membranes. Expression of alpha 1-AT in Caco2 enterocytes is not affected by soluble factors that regulate expression of alpha 1-AT in macrophages and hepatocytes. However, expression of alpha 1-AT increases markedly in Caco2 cells as they differentiate into enteric villous-type cells.

Malignant mixed Müllerian tumors of the uterus. An immunohistochemical study.

Malignant mixed müllerian tumors (MMMT) of the uterus have been subdivided into two types: those with heterologous sarcomatous elements (e.g., rhabdomyosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma) and those with only homologous elements (e.g., stromal sarcoma). The distinction, which may have prognostic significance, was based on the identification by light microscopy of cells that exhibited definite cross-striations, cartilage, or osteoid production. We studied 32 cases of uterine MMMT to assess the value of immunohistochemical markers in delineating the sarcomatous and epithelial components. Of 32 cases, 11 showed heterologous sarcoma (6, rhabdomyosarcoma, and 5, chondrosarcoma), and the remaining 21 were homologous MMMT. Six antigens--desmin, myoglobin, S-100, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), and monoclonal cytokeratin (AE1 and AE3), (to test for possible myogenic, chondroid, fibrohistiocytic, and carcinomatous differentiation)--were analyzed by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. EMA was found in neoplastic cells in all cases; 31 of 32 cases showed keratin. Desmin reactivity was detected in 14 of 32 cases, whereas myoglobin was present in 10 of 32. Three cases exhibited S-100 positivity (two in areas of chondrosarcoma, and one in some stromal sarcoma cells). Twenty-two cases (69%) exhibited ACT reactivity. Several cases displayed a malignant fibrous histiocytoma pattern. These demonstrated ACT positivity in both the neoplastic spindle and giant cells. We conclude that immunohistochemical staining for the above mentioned antigens is a useful diagnostic aid in delineating the sarcomatous and carcinomatous elements in MMMT.

Secondary Ph-positive CML with a minority monosomy 7 clone.

We report a case of Ph-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) secondary to previous treatment for a lymphoma. At the time of original diagnosis of lymphoblastic lymphoma, chromosome studies of blood and bone marrow were normal. Following therapy and a clinical remission complicated by CNS relapse, the patient presented 16 months after treatment was discontinued with a WBC of 110,000 mm-3, consistent with CML. Blood and marrow cytogenetic studies at this time showed a Ph chromosome, t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation, without other karyotypic alteration. A separate small clone with the karyotype 45,XY, -7 was found in the blood. His disease followed an aggressive course and he died 3 months later. The autopsy findings indicated CML in blast crisis. Molecular studies performed on cells replacing a lymph node revealed a rearrangement of the breakpoint cluster region (bcr) of chromosome #22 and of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus. Taken together, it seems most likely that the patient's CML developed as a second neoplasm following successful elimination of his lymphoblastic lymphoma by therapy.

Opsonophagocytic killing antibody to Pseudomonas aeruginosa mucoid exopolysaccharide in older noncolonized patients with cystic fibrosis.

The principal cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis is persistent respiratory colonization with mucoid strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To investigate possible mechanisms of resistance to this organism, we studied serum from 16 older (greater than or equal to 12 years) patients not colonized with mucoid P. aeruginosa, 11 older (greater than or equal to 14 years) colonized patients, 10 younger (less than or equal to 11 years) noncolonized patients, and 20 healthy adults. The samples from the older patients not colonized with mucoid P. aeruginosa contained antibody specific to the mucoid-exopolysaccharide antigen, which could mediate bacterial killing in conjunction with complement and white cells (titers of 4 to 80). These opsonophagocytic killing antibodies were not detected in samples from the 20 normal controls (P less than 0.0001 vs. noncolonized older patients) or 9 of 10 younger (less than or equal to 11 years) noncolonized patients (P = 0.0072 vs. noncolonized older patients). Although the patients with chronic colonization had higher titers of serum opsonophagocytic killing antibody than did the older noncolonized patients (P = 0.0005), these antibodies were not specific to the mucoid-exopolysaccharide antigen. We conclude that there is an association between mucoid-exopolysaccharide-specific opsonophagocytic killing antibody and a lack of detectable P. aeruginosa colonization in a subset of older, relatively healthy patients with cystic fibrosis.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma. A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study.

The histogenesis of alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) has been investigated since its description. Twenty ASPS cases were analyzed for immunohistochemical content, with emphasis directed toward the paraganglial, Schwann cell, and muscle theories of histogenesis. In addition, the cases were examined for possible prognostic clinical features. The clinical characteristics of the patients were similar to those reported previously concerning average age (23 years); male:female ratio (1:1); and predominant primary site (lower extremity, nine cases). Despite a local recurrence rate of 20% and a metastatic rate of 68% (including four at presentation), the natural history was often indolent and relapse commonly occurred very late. The average follow-up period was 10.1 years. While the overall 5-year survival was 67%, only seven of 18 patients were alive without disease at last follow-up (1.7-32 years), and one patient died of tumor after a 28-year disease-free interval. Neither tumor size nor site appeared to affect prognosis. The tumors were analyzed immunohistochemically for neurofilament, S-100 protein, met-enkephalin, leu-enkephalin, acetylcholinesterase, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, Factor VIII-related antigen, serotonin, lysozyme, neuron-specific enolase, myoglobin, cytokeratins, desmin, and vimentin. Except for weak vimentin immunoreactivity, no other antigenic expression was detected despite multiple repeated experiments with several antibodies. S-100 protein which is present in virtually all granular cell tumors was absent in the cases of ASPS. The lack of detectable expression of neurofilament, met-enkephalin and leu-enkephalin, and neuron-specific enolase is interpreted as evidence against the paraganglial theory of histogenesis. Similarly, the repeated absence of the muscle proteins, desmin and myoglobin, in contrast to a previous report, is interpreted as evidence against a myogenic origin.