Assessment of meat quality attributes of four commercial broiler strains processed at various market weights.

As the demand for poultry meat continues to rise, industry production is constantly challenged with obtaining consumer needs. Integrators have answered this increasing demand by improving the growth rate of broilers allowing for increased production efficiently. The resulting broiler produces higher yields and a larger quantity of fresh poultry to satisfy consumer needs. However, this increase in efficiency has cost integrators as new quality issues continue to manifest through global production. Therefore, the objective of the current experiment was to evaluate the effect of genetic strain (standard and high yielding) and target weight on meat quality attributes such as pH, water holding capacity (WHC), and tenderness, alongside meat quality defects such as breast and tender myopathies. In the current study, 1,800 broilers from 4 commercial strains (2 high breast yielding (HY) and 2 standard yielding (SY) were raised sex separate to evaluate meat quality trends over time at 6 previously defined market weights. Birds were processed at weights ranging from 2,043 to 4,313 g in 454 g increments. HY strains produced higher breast and tender yields than those of SY strains (P < 0.05). There was an increase in breast and tender yield as target weight increased (P < 0.05) for both HY and SY strains. Differences were observed between strains for all fillet dimensions (P < 0.05); however, these measurements increased as target weight increased as expected. Woody breast (WB) had a higher severity (P < 0.05) in HY strains over SY strains, for both males and females. Differences were observed in white striping (WS; P < 0.05) for females in both strains, but no differences were observed in males. A main effect of target was noticed for both WB and WS (P < 0.05), expressing increased severity as target weight increased. Shear values were influenced more by target weight (P < 0.05), but inconsistent differences were observed between HY and SY groups. Meullenet-Owens Razor Shear (MORS) energy values increased slightly as target weights increased (P < 0.05) from 2,951 to 4,313 g in both males and females, but differences were minor and inconsistent with the smaller carcass weights. The MORS peak counts generally increased as target weight increased for both sexes. While strain had minimal effects on meat quality attributes, processing weight had a greater influence on quality, specifically muscle myopathies, WHC, and shear properties.

Citrin deficiency mimicking mitochondrial depletion syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (CD) is a rare inborn error of metabolism due to variants in the SLC25A13 gene encoding the calcium-binding protein citrin. Citrin is an aspartate-glutamate carrier located within the inner mitochondrial membrane. CASE PRESENTATION: We report on two siblings of Romanian-Vietnamese ancestry with citrin deficiency. Patient 1 is a female who presented at age 8 weeks with cholestasis, elevated lactate levels and recurrent severe hypoglycemia. Diagnosis was made by whole exome sequencing and revealed compound heterozygosity for the frameshift variant c.852_855del, p.Met285Profs*2 and a novel deletion c.(69 + 1_70-1)_(212 + 1_231-1)del in SLC25A13. The girl responded well to dietary treatment with a lactose-free, MCT-enriched formula. Her younger brother (Patient 2) was born 1 year later and also found to be carrying the same gene variants. Dietary treatment from birth was able to completely prevent clinical manifestation until his current age of 4.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: As CD is a well-treatable disorder it should be ruled out early in the differential diagnosis of neonatal cholestasis. Due to the combination of hepatopathy, lactic acidosis and recurrent hypoglycemia the clinical presentation of CD may resemble hepatic mitochondrial depletion syndrome.

A systems biology approach to defining regulatory mechanisms for cartilage and tendon cell phenotypes.

Phenotypic plasticity of adult somatic cells has provided emerging avenues for the development of regenerative therapeutics. In musculoskeletal biology the mechanistic regulatory networks of genes governing the phenotypic plasticity of cartilage and tendon cells has not been considered systematically. Additionally, a lack of strategies to effectively reproduce in vitro functional models of cartilage and tendon is retarding progress in this field. De- and redifferentiation represent phenotypic transitions that may contribute to loss of function in ageing musculoskeletal tissues. Applying a systems biology network analysis approach to global gene expression profiles derived from common in vitro culture systems (monolayer and three-dimensional cultures) this study demonstrates common regulatory mechanisms governing de- and redifferentiation transitions in cartilage and tendon cells. Furthermore, evidence of convergence of gene expression profiles during monolayer expansion of cartilage and tendon cells, and the expression of key developmental markers, challenges the physiological relevance of this culture system. The study also suggests that oxidative stress and PI3K signalling pathways are key modulators of in vitro phenotypes for cells of musculoskeletal origin.

"Melanoma inhibitory activity" (MIA): a promising serological tumour marker in metastatic uveal melanoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of "melanoma inhibitory activity" (MIA) as a potential serum marker for screening and detection of metastatic uveal melanoma. DESIGN: Prospective, clinical study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples of 305 patients with uveal melanoma were collected. Serum samples were analysed by a one-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify the MIA serum levels. All patients underwent a standardized echography of the globe to evaluate maximum tumour height and were checked for systemic metastasis of the tumour by liver enzyme tests and ultrasonography of the liver. RESULTS: Twenty patients (6.6%) had proven metastatic disease; eight of them developed it during follow-up. The mean serum concentration of MIA in the 285 patients without metastasis was 6.72 ng/ml, whereas the mean serum concentration of MIA in the 20 patients with metastasis was 13.03 ng/ml (P<0.001). The eight patients who developed metastatic disease during follow-up showed an MIA of 5.92 ng/ml before detection of metastasis and 12.21 ng/ml afterwards (P<0.001). MIA serum levels did neither correlate with the tumour height or to whether local therapy had been applied. CONCLUSION: The elevation of MIA serum levels in patients with metastatic disease from melanoma supports its promising role as a serum marker for monitoring patients with uveal melanoma.

Evidence of a breakdown of corticostriatal connections in Parkinson's disease.

Dendritic spines are important structures which receive synaptic inputs in many regions of the CNS. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that numbers of dendritic spines are significantly reduced on spiny neurones in basal ganglia regions in Parkinson's disease as we had shown them to be in a rat model of the disease [Exp Brain Res 93 (1993) 17]. Postmortem tissue from the caudate and putamen of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease was compared with that from people of a similar age who had no neurological damage. The morphology of Golgi-impregnated projection neurones (medium-sized spiny neurones) was examined quantitatively. The numerical density of dendritic spines on dendrites was reduced by about 27% in both nuclei. The size of the dendritic trees of these neurones was also significantly reduced in the caudate nucleus from the brains of PD cases and their complexity was changed in both the caudate nucleus and the putamen. Dendritic spines receive crucial excitatory input from the cerebral cortex. Reduction in both the density of spines and the total length of the remaining dendrites is likely to have a grave impact on the ability of these neurones to function normally and may partly explain the symptoms of the disorder.

[Combined anterior and posterior segment surgery]. / Kombinierte Vorder- und Hinterabschnittchirurgie.

AIM: The aim of this study was to review the postoperative findings in the anterior segment after primary vitrectomy performed in combination with cataract surgery. PATIENTS AND METHOD: In a retrospective analysis covering the period from August 2000 to March 2002, we identified 513 consecutive operations on the retina and vitreous body performed primarily to correct various retinal diseases in the ophthalmology department of the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. Concomitant cataracts present in all cases were also treated in the one session. Measurement parameters of postoperative irritation of the anterior chamber included anterior chamber cells, Tyndall effect, fibrin, intraocular pressure, and synechiae formation. Various influencing factors were compared to the measurement parameters in univariate analysis. RESULTS: Correlations between some influencing factors and various measurement parameters were statistically significant in univariate analysis. This was not, however, the case for any of the factors in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Performance of the combined operation according to our protocol does not entail any single parameter that indicates a risk for increased postoperative irritation of the anterior chamber.

[Relative contraindication of latanoprost in iris tumors with secondary glaucoma]. / Relative Kontraindikation von Latanoprost bei Iristumor mit Sekundärglaukom.

INTRODUCTION: Melanocytic iris tumors are often benign and merely require regular follow-up. Evident growth, increasing pigmentation and secondary glaucoma, however, are possible signs of a malignant transformation. PATIENT: We present a 34-year-old male patient showing a localized, mildly prominent hyperpigmentation of the right iris expanding over 2 h. The lesion had been known since childhood and increasing intraocular pressure (IOP) was treated with timolole, dipivefrin and finally with latanoprost. PROGRESSION: The patient was seen for the first time at our hospital 4 years previously, presenting an IOP of 28-30 mmHg of the right eye. The tumor had developed marked heterochromia and a nodular prominent surface, the chamber angle was partly closed and completely hyperpigmented. The ciliary body was not affected by the tumor and standard ultrasound revealed a maximum thickness of 1.2 mm. Over the last 4 years, IOP and heterochromia had increased but without growth of the tumor. An excisional biopsy of the prominent portion was refused by the patient. DISCUSSION: The melanocytic iris tumor described shows malignant characteristics such as progressive heterochromia and secondary glaucoma. However, increasing iris pigmentation can also be caused by topical application of latanoprost. With the evidence of absent tumor growth, there is no reason to suggest malignant degeneration. Generally, in iris naevi or tumors requiring regular follow-up, application of latanoprost should be avoided in order not to conceal the alteration of pigmentation as possible malignant conversion.

[Regression of an uveal metastatic tumor from breast cancer during chemotherapy--a case report]. / Visusanstieg nach Chemotherapie einer Aderhautmetastase eines Mammakarzinoms.

BACKGROUND: Choroidal metastases generally respond well to radiation treatment. However, a deterioration of visual acuity after radiation must be taken into account in lesions involving the optic nerve. In these cases, alternatives to radiation, which is a palliative treatment in most cases anyway, should be considered. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present the clinical and echographic findings of a case of a 39-year-old patient with choroidal metastasis from breast carcinoma. RESULTS: We observed a regression of the metastasis and an improvement of visual acuity from 0.2 to 1.0 under systemic chemotherapy. Echography showed a decrease of tumor height and increasing reflectivity indicating progressive scarring of the lesion. Up to now, the patient has survived 9 years after initial diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Especially in cases in which a deterioration of visual acuity after radiation must be expected, the follow-up during systemic chemotherapy alone might be considered an alternative option, as it not only might preserve vision, but also allows an "in vivo" monitoring of the success of the chemotherapy applied.

[Stereotactic radiosurgery using the Gamma Knife for large uveal melanomas]. / Stereotaktische Konvergenzbestrahlung grosser uvealer Melanome mit dem Gamma-Knife. Vorläufige Ergebnisse bei 100 Patienten.

BACKGROUND: We report the results over 3 years with stereotactic radiosurgery using the Gamma Knife for large and unsuitably located uveal melanomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients (51 male, 49 female) have been treated since 1997 following a standardised treatment protocol (outpatient single-shot treatment, maximum dose 50 Gy, tumour margin dose min.25 Gy, retrobulbar anaesthesia alone for globe fixation). The localisation and/or dimension of the tumours did not allow radiation brachytherapy with Ru106 plaques. Of the tumours 18 were located in the ciliary body, 61 were located at the posterior pole, and 21 were located in the mid-periphery. All patients were followed and tested ophthalmologically and neuroradiologically at regular intervals. The 1-year follow-up data were available for 73 patients, 2-year follow-up data for 33 patients and 3-year follow-up-data for 17 patients. RESULTS: Before therapy the maximum apical tumour height (MAH) was median 7.8 mm (95% CI 2.9-12.5 mm): 1 year after treatment (73 patients) the MAH was median 5.7 mm (95% KI 2.4-10.2 mm),2 years after treatment (33 patients) the MAH was median 4.3 mm (95% KI 2.2-8.8 mm),and 3 years after treatment (17 patients) the MAH was median 4.6 mm (95% KI 2.4-8.5 mm). All differences to the MAH of the corresponding patients before treatment were statistically significant (paired t-test). Within the first year after treatment seven patients were enucleated due to a painful secondary glaucoma,within the second year after radiation two patients (one tumour recurrence, and one secondary glaucoma) and within the third year one more patient (tumour recurrence) was enucleated. CONCLUSIONS: Our 3-year results demonstrate that radiosurgery using the Gamma Knife is beneficial in achieving a local tumour control in 98% of eyes with large and unsuitably located uveal melanomas. The risk for a secondary enucleation is highest in the first year after treatment with a favourable overall rate of 10%. Due to the excellent local tumour control rate we decreased the maximum dose to 40 Gy (min.tumour margin dose 20 Gy) in the subsequently treated patients.

Melanoma inhibitory activity: a novel serum marker for uveal melanoma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the tumour-associated antigen melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) as a potential novel serological tumour marker in primary and metastatic uveal melanoma in both the laboratory and the clinical setting. In the laboratory setting, immunohistochemical staining with MIA antibody was performed in paraffin-embedded tissues from six amelanotic uveal melanomas and eight metastatic lesions of uveal melanomas. In the clinical setting, serum samples of 139 patients with uveal melanoma were examined; eight of these patients had overt metastatic disease. Sixty-one initially metastatic disease-free patients were followed over time (median follow-up 240 days, 95% confidence interval 60-883 days) and MIA levels were assessed repeatedly. A one-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify the MIA serum levels. In the laboratory setting, five of the six primary uveal melanomas and seven of the eight metastatic lesions stained immunohistologically positive for MIA. In the clinical setting, the 131 patients without overt metastatic disease demonstrated a median serum concentration of MIA of 6.6 ng/ml. In the eight patients with overt metastatic disease, the median serum concentration of MIA was 26.28 ng/ml. This difference was highly statistically significant (P < 0.001, analysis of variance). During follow-up, three initially metastatic disease-free patients developed overt metastatic disease, and the MIA level increased from a median of 6.6 ng/ml before to 29.2 ng/ml after clinical detection of metastatic disease. In the 58 other patients, the serum level remained stable during the entire follow-up period. In conclusion, MIA is expressed in primary and metastatic lesions of uveal melanomas, and a statistically significant elevation in MIA serum levels in patients who develop metastatic disease due to uveal melanoma indicates its promising role as a serum marker for monitoring uveal melanoma patients for metastasis.

Interobserver and intraobserver variability of measurements of uveal melanomas using standardised echography.

AIMS: To report on the intraindividual and interindividual variability of tumour size (height and base diameter) measurements using standardised echography in a masked prospective study. METHODS: 20 consecutive eyes of 20 patients were examined on four different visits by three experienced examiners using standardised echography. As common in standardised echography, tumour height was evaluated with A-scan technique, while transverse and longitudinal base diameter were calculated with B-scan. RESULTS: Tumour height measurements using A-scan were more accurate than base diameter measurements using B-scan. The standard deviation for tumour height over all visits/measurements was 0.18 mm (A-scan), 0.79 mm for transverse, and 0.69 mm for longitudinal base diameters (B-scan). The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was much higher for tumour height measurements with A-scan (0.7735 for three examiners on one visit) than for transverse (0.6563) or longitudinal (0.4522) base diameter measurements with B-scan techniques. CONCLUSIONS: A-scan techniques for tumour height measurements provide very reproducible results with little intraindividual and interobserver variability. As B-scan techniques for tumour base evaluation are less accurate they should be used for topographic and morphological examinations.

[Correlation between ICG angiography verified networks in uveal melanomas and rate of tumor regression after brachytherapy]. / Zusammenhang von ICG-angiographisch nachgewiesenen "Networks" uvealer Melanome und Tumorrückbildungsgeschwindigkeit nach Brachytherapie.

INTRODUCTION: The post-irradiation regression rate of uveal melanomas is a prognostically significant factor for the development of metastases. Other predictive factors for metastases are histological networks which are imagable with confocal ICG angiography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a possible connection of networks in the ICGA and tumor regression rates. METHODS: We compared the post-irradiation regression rates (as %) in 20 patients 1 year after brachytherapy with networks identified in pre-treatment indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). The ICG angiography was performed before irradiation, 10 patients were irradiated with Ru-106 and 10 were irradiated with Id-125. RESULTS: The mean preoperative maximum apical height was 5.2 mm [SD: 1.5 mm; Ru106 group: 5.7 mm (SD: 1.0 mm); Id-125 group: 5.0 mm (SD: 1.9 mm)]. In 11 patients (55%) (Ru-106: 5; Id-125: 6) we found networks in the preoperative ICG. The mean regression rate in tumors with networks was 51.3% (SD: 14.7%) and 28.0% (SD: 16.4%) in the group without networks. The difference between both groups was statistically significant (p = 0.003, Mann-Whitney test). No statistically significant difference in the regression rates was found between the two groups of brachytherapy Ru-106 and Id-125 (p = 0.165, Mann-Whitney test). DISCUSSION: Highly proliferative tumors are known to be more sensitive to irradiation. This may be one reason why tumors with a rapid post-irradiation regression are the more aggressive ones with regard to later development of metastases. Histopathological networks are also known to be a strong indication of more aggressive, metastasizing tumors. These networks are also imagable in ICG angiography. Our observation emphasizes a connection between networks in ICG angiography and regression rates of uveal melanomas after brachytherapy.

[The Munich/San Diego/Iowa City Collaboration (MuSIC). MuSIC Report I: Design , characteristics of the collective and preliminary results]. / Die Muenchen/San Diego/Iowa City Collaboration (MuSIC). MuSIC-Report-I: Design, Charakterisierung des Kollektives und erste Ergebnisse.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that histologically described microcirculation patterns (MCP) can be visualized with indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. We have designed a prospective study to evaluate the prognostic value of these angiographically imaged MCP in small choroidal melanocytic lesions. In this report we describe the design of the study, characterize the patient collective, and present the first results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective nonrandomized observational study, unilateral choroidal melanocytic lesions with 1.5-5.5 mm maximum apical height are observed until growth is determined according to defined criteria. Variables are demographic parameters, subjective symptoms, subretinal fluid, location and dimension of tumor, hemorrhage, color, orange pigment, and MCP determined by ICG angiography: normal, straight, parallel without crosslinking, parallel with crosslinking, arcs without branching, arcs with branching, loop, and network. RESULTS: Seventy patients (22 males, 48 females; age: 33-88 years, median: 64 years) have been included up to now: 19 tumors showed growth so far (time to growth: 51-946 days, median: 127 days). The following parameters were statistically significantly correlated with time to tumor growth: flashes (p = 0.082), orange pigment (p = 0.012), subretinal fluid (p < 0.001), maximum basal tumor diameter (p = 0.001), maximum apical tumor height (p < 0.001), parallel with crosslinking (p < 0.001), arcs with branching (p = 0.006), loop (p < 0.001), and network (p < 0.001). Of these, complex MCP (parallel with crosslinking, arcs with branching, loop and/or network) showed the strongest correlation with time to tumor growth in a Cox regression model. Based on our data, the positive predictive value of imaging complex MCP (for growth within 12 months) is 78% and the negative predictive value is 98%. CONCLUSION: Our patient collective demonstrates comparable prognostic parameters for time to growth as described in the literature. In addition, the ICG angiographic detection of complex MCP is more strongly predictive of the time to growth than other clinically determinable factors. Thus, we recommend this examination for patients with small choroidal melanocytic lesions, if the patient is to be counseled regarding the likely biologic behavior of his tumor.

[Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium]. / Diagnose und Differenzialdiagnose des kombinierten Hamartoms der Retina und des retinalen Pigmentepithels.

BACKGROUND: The combined hamartoma of the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (CHR-RPE) is an important differential diagnosis of retinal and choroidal diseases with variable degrees of pigmentation. PATIENTS: The clinical picture and typical fluorescence angiography findings of two adult patients who were first diagnosed to have a combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium are presented. The referral diagnosis macular pucker and malignant melanoma of the choroid, respectively, are discussed regarding severe therapeutic interventions such as pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling (macular pucker), and radiotherapy, or enucleation (malignant melanoma of the choroid) as well as other important differentials. RESULTS: The combined hamartoma of the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium is a benign congenital, mostly unilateral retinal lesion. The presenting symptom is a painless, unilateral, often silent loss of vision. Histologically, three cell populations can be identified: glial, vascular, and pigmented cells. Variations in composition of these three cell types are responsible for the heterogeneous clinical picture and thus diagnostic challenges. The greyish retinal tumor located peripapillary in most cases with varying degrees of pigmentation and surrounding vascular tortuosity can result in secondary changes at the vitreoretinal interface with deterioration of vision. Combined fluorescein-/indocyaningreen angiography and ultrasound are crucial for diagnostic evaluation. Documentation and regular clinical follow-up examinations are essential for successful management of this disorder. CONCLUSION: Recognition of this rare clinical entity is crucial for administering the appropriate therapy.

Macular hole surgery in an eye with an optic pit.

PURPOSE: To report an eye with a full-thickness macular hole and an associated optic pit and the noteworthy intraoperative findings. METHODS: Case report. A 56-year-old woman presented with visual acuity LE: 20/100, a full thickness macular hole, and an optic pit. Optical coherence tomography and ophthalmic examination were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Although usually a macular hole associated with an optic pit tends to be a lamellar and characterized by outer layer defects within preexisting macular detachments or schisis-like cavities, this type of macular hole was not presented in this case. Although the macular hole resembled the idiopathic type on clinical examination as well as on optical coherence tomography, it could only be closed in the third surgical attempt after using silicone oil as a long-standing tamponade. Peeling of an epiretinal membrane or the internal limiting membrane was not possible during any of the three surgeries. CONCLUSION: Our observations suggest that in cases of macular hole in association with optic pit, instillation of silicone oil should be considered in the first surgical procedure, especially if no epiretinal membrane or internal limiting membrane peeling is possible intraoperatively.

[3-D ultrasound. Initial experiences in various eye diseases]. / 3D-Ultraschall. Erste Erfahrungen bei verschiedenen Augenerkrankungen.

BACKGROUND: Studies have confirmed three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound as a practical diagnostic tool in examining the eye and orbit and suggest its routine clinical use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3-D ultrasound was prospectively performed in 46 patients (46 eyes) with various ocular diseases. In six large choroidal melanomas the tumor volume were measured by 3-D ultrasound and compared to that measured by MRI and to that calculated by a theoretical formula. To assess the reproducibility of volumetry by 3-D ultrasound the volumes of such three intraocular tumors were measured ten times using ten different virtual sectioning planes and a section thickness of 0.5 mm and/or 1.0 mm. RESULTS: 3-D ultrasound allows the precise assessment of complex three-dimensional structures. Choroidal melanoma volumes measured by 3-D ultrasound, MRI, and theoretical calculation were in the same range. CONCLUSION: Intraocular tumor volume can be measured well by 3-D ultrasound,which may be of clinical importance in follow-up examinations.