De novo generalized pustular psoriasis following Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

We present an interesting and novel case of a de novo generalized pustular psoriasis following administration of first dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in a patient with no pre-existing psoriasis or any previous dermatological issue.

Collagen crosslinks in longissimus muscle from lambs expressing the callipyge gene.

The objective of this study was to determine whether increased amounts of collagen and (or) hydroxylysylpyridinoline crosslinks in longissimus muscle are partially responsible for decreased tenderness when callipyge lambs are compared to normal lambs. The longissimus muscle was used because we believe tenderness is a greater problem in loin chops of callipyge lambs than it is in other cuts. Ten normal and 10 half-sibling lambs expressing the callipyge gene were compared. Lambs were slaughtered at approximately 8 mo of age when they reached a target weight of 59 kg. Dressing percentages were higher for the leaner callipyge lambs that exhibited larger longissimus muscle areas and heavier leg weights (P < .01). Warner-Bratzler shear values for longissimus muscle from callipyge lambs were higher (P < .01) than those from normal lambs. The higher shear values were not explained by amount of muscle collagen or by hydroxylysylpyridinoline crosslink concentration because both collagen percentage (P < .09) and crosslink concentration (P < .04) were lower in callipyge lambs. Therefore, attempts to modify shear values and make loin chops from callipyge lambs more acceptable to consumers should focus on the myofibrillar fraction of muscle.

Bone ossification and carcass characteristics of wethers given silastic implants containing estradiol.

Administration of growth promotants with estrogenic activity via hastening closure of the growth plate could have an economic impact on lambs because closure results in ovine carcasses being classified as yearlings. Twelve wether lambs approximately 12 mo old were given silastic implants filled with estradiol-17 beta and allotted randomly to be slaughtered 30, 60, 90, or 220 d after implantation to determine time of growth plate closure in relation to date of implanting. Seven comparable wethers not implanted served as controls. Four wethers implanted at 2 mo of age and slaughtered 220 d later also were included. Implanted wethers had serum concentrations of estradiol averaging 13.9 pg/ml over the 220-d implant period; controls averaged 2.7 pg/ml. Estradiol implants increased carcass maturity scores but fat deposition was not altered. Growth plate widths decreased (P less than .05) as wethers grew older and implants were in place for longer periods of time. Metacarpal growth plates in 12-mo-old lambs were completely ossified 220 d after implanting, but control wethers and wethers implanted at 2 mo maintained growth plate widths. Neither metacarpal nor metatarsal bone lengths differed (P less than .05) between control and implanted wethers. Growth plate ossification was not complete until 570 d of age in implanted lambs, even though bone length had stopped increasing by 408 d. Therefore, even though estradiol and other growth stimulants with estrogenic activity increase rate of ossification of the metacarpal growth plate, bone length or mature size is not limited.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Efficiency of energy utilization by mixed rumen bacteria in continuous culture.

Mixed bacterial cultures derived from the rumen were grown in a remen fluid medium in a chemostat at three dilution rates (.02, .06, and .12 per h), each at four growth-limiting glucose concentrations (5.8, 9.9, 12.7, and 25.0 mM). Microscopic observations indicated that a relatively complex mixture of bacterial species was maintained and proportions of fermentations products were similar to those of the rumen except for elevated proportions of methane and acetate. Cell concentration increased linearly with increases in glucose concentration. The range of glucose concentrations had little effect on yields of cells or products produced per mole of glucose fermented. With increases in dilution rates, the amount of butyrate and methane produced per mole of glucose fermented decreased and the amount of propionate increased. Yield glucose (grams cells produced per mole of glucose fermented) increased from 42 at a dilution rate of .02 to 84 at a dilution rate of .12. These large increases are discussed in relationship to the energy requirements for maintenance of bacteria. A theoretical maximum yield glucose of 89.3 and a maintenance requirement of .26 mmol glucose per g cells per h were calculated. Moles of adenosine triphosphate produced per mole of glucose fermented and yield of cells produced per mole of adenosine triphosphate are discussed.