Acute Postoperative Pain Due to Dental Extraction in the Adult Population: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

This study compares the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments to develop guidelines for the management of acute pain after tooth extraction. We searched Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and US Clinical Trials registry on November 21, 2020. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of participants undergoing dental extractions comparing 10 interventions, including acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and combinations to placebo. After duplicate screening and data abstraction, we conducted a frequentist network meta-analysis for each outcome at 6 h (i.e., pain relief, total pain relief [TOTPAR], summed pain intensity difference [SPID], global efficacy rating, rescue analgesia, and adverse effects). We assessed the risk of bias using a modified Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool and the certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. We implemented the analyses in RStudio version 3.5.3 and classified interventions from most to least beneficial or harmful. We included 82 RCTs. Fifty-six RCTs enrolling 9,095 participants found moderate- and high-certainty evidence that ibuprofen 200 to 400 mg plus acetaminophen 500 to 1,000 mg (mean difference compared to placebo [MDp], 1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-2.31), acetaminophen 650 mg plus oxycodone 10 mg (MDp, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.85-1.54), ibuprofen 400 mg (MDp, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.17-1.45), and naproxen 400-440 mg (MDp, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.07-1.80) were most effective for pain relief on a 0 to 4 scale. Oxycodone 5 mg, codeine 60 mg, and tramadol 37.5 mg plus acetaminophen 325 mg were no better than placebo. The results for TOTPAR, SPID, global efficacy rating, and rescue analgesia were similar. Based on low- and very low-certainty evidence, most interventions were classified as no more harmful than placebo for most adverse effects. Based on moderate- and high-certainty evidence, NSAIDs with or without acetaminophen result in better pain-related outcomes than opioids with or without acetaminophen (except acetaminophen 650 mg plus oxycodone 10 mg) or placebo.

Characterization of nutrient runoff from perennial and annual forages following broiler litter application.

Information on how forage species influence sediment and nutrient transport in runoff is required for limiting non-point source pollution from broiler litter applications. In this study, we examined the effects of five forage species (eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.], Kernza [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey], silphium [Silphium integrifolium Michx.], switchgrass [Panicum virgatum L.], and winter wheat [Triticum aestivum L.]) on runoff nutrient losses from broiler litter-amended (5.6 Mg ha-1 ) and non-amended plots (control) following four simulated rainfall (5 cm h-1 ) events that were applied to these plots in late spring and early fall of 2019 and 2021. Runoff collected for 30 min was analyzed for total suspended solids (TSS) and nutrients (total organic carbon [TOC], soluble reactive phosphorus [SRP], total dissolved phosphorus [TDP], total phosphorus [TP], total nitrogen [TN], ammonium-nitrogen [NH4 -N], and nitrate-nitrogen [NO3 -N]). Total sediment and nutrient losses increased 5- to 19-fold following litter application for all species, which reduced to background levels during fall rainfall events. Across the four simulated rainfall events, switchgrass resulted in lower cumulative losses of TSS, TOC, SRP, TDP, TP, and NO3 -N than gamagrass and wheat but did not differ from Kernza and silphium for litter-amended treatments. The performance of newly introduced perennial crops (Kernza and silphium) was similar or better than that of gamagrass in terms of cumulative runoff sediment and nutrient losses. Results show high potential for Kernza, silphium, and switchgrass to improve water quality when used in forage-vegetative filter strip systems.

Multivariate evaluation of watershed health based on longitudinal pasture management.

Watershed and pasture health is a transdisciplinary concern and crucial to promoting sustainable practices. The aim of this study is to identify effective systems-level conservation pasture management practices in a longitudinal study following 14 years of consistent management by i) teasing apart complex relationships between multivariate water and soil quality using principal component analysis (PCA); and ii) identifying interactions among variables that contribute most to watershed health within catchments using partial least squares-path modeling (PLS-PM) based on five treatments: hayed (H), continuously grazed (CG), rotationally grazed (R), rotationally grazed with an unfertilized buffer strip (RB), and rotationally grazed with an unfertilized fenced riparian buffer (RBR). Over 14 years, H and RBR systems had greater watershed health based on runoff water quality parameters. Therefore, management systems that keep forage heights >10-cm, have less frequent vegetative removal, and riparian filter strips promote watershed health. Of the over 20 runoff variables measured over 14 study years, only electrical conductivity and annual total suspended solid loads constructed a significant water quality PLS-PM model. Water quality was positively influenced by pasture management and precipitation, with long-term pasture management driving runoff parameters and water quality. Overall, animal grazing days was not only related to grazing intensity, but to animal manure inputs and soil compaction, and adversely related to watershed health. Study results denote that best management strategies such as rotational grazing and riparian buffer strips prevent pasture system degradation and maintain carrying capacity while reducing anthropogenic pressure on soil and water systems.

A Pair of "ACEs".

The emergence of the COVID-19 viral pandemic has generated a renewed interest in pharmacologic agents that target the renin angiotensin system (RAS). Angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) inhibitors decrease the synthesis of angiotensin II (Ang II) from its precursor angiotensin I and inhibit the breakdown of bradykinin, while Ang II receptor blockers antagonize the action of Ang II at the receptor level downstream. The actions of both classes of drugs lead to vasodilation, a blunting of sympathetic drive and a reduction in aldosterone release, all beneficial effects in hypertension and congestive heart failure. ACE2 cleaves the vasoconstrictor Ang II to produce the anti-inflammatory cytoprotective angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7) peptide, which functions through the G protein-coupled receptor MAS to counteract the pathophysiologic effects induced by Ang II via its receptors, including vasoconstriction, inflammation, hypercoagulation, and fibrosis. SARS-CoV-2 enters human cells by binding ACE2 on the cell surface, decreases ACE2 activity, competes for ACE2 receptor-binding sites, and shifts the RAS toward an overexpression of Ang II, accounting for many of the deleterious effects of the virus. Thus, there is great interest in developing recombinant ACE2 as a therapeutic for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. Notably, ACE2 is highly expressed in the oral cavity, and saliva and dorsum of the tongue are major reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2. Cost-effective methods to debulk the virus in the oral cavity may aid in the prevention of viral spread. Here we review the pharmacology of targeted small molecule inhibitors of the RAS and discuss novel approaches to employing ACE2 as a therapeutic for COVID-19.

Effect of Bacillus-direct-fed microbial on leaky gut, serum peptide YY concentration, bone mineralization, and ammonia excretion in neonatal female turkey poults fed with a rye-based diet.

Rye is high in nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP), a complex carbohydrate which cannot be digested by poultry as they lack the endogenous enzymes to do so. Exogenous carbohydrases must therefore be supplemented to avoid the antinutritional effects associated with a high NSP diet. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of a rye-based diet with and without supplementation of a Bacillus direct-fed microbial (DFM) on body weight, bone mineralization, and leaky gut, as well as its role on influencing serum concentrations of peptide YY (PPY) and the ammonia concentration in turkey manure. Two independent trials were conducted. In each experiment, day-of-hatch female turkey poults were neck tagged and randomly assigned to either a control rye-based diet or a rye-based diet supplemented with the DFM (n = 25 birds/group). At 10 days-of-age, poults in both groups were administered with an appropriate dose of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-d) by oral gavage. One hour later, all poults were euthanized. Blood was collected to evaluate serum FITC-d and PPY concentrations. Furthermore, in Trial 2 only, both tibias were removed for assessment of bone parameters, and turkey manure was collected to evaluate physicochemical analysis. In both trials, poults treated with the DFM showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in body weight and body weight gain as compared with control nontreated poults. Poults that received the DFM also had a significant reduction in serum levels of PPY and FITC-d when compared with control nontreated poults. In Trial 2, turkeys treated with the DFM had a substantial increase in tibia strength, tibia diameter, total ash, calcium, and phosphorus when compared with control nontreated turkeys. Their manure was also shown to have a significant reduction in the concentration of ammonia. This is the first report of a commercial DFM reducing the concentration of this compound in turkey manure. In summary, the results of the present study confirm that turkeys fed with a rye-based diet have a significant increase in gut permeability, a reduced body weight, and decreased bone mineralization when compared with turkeys fed with the DFM. Turkeys that received the rye-based diet supplemented with the Bacillus-DFM also had a significant reduction in the serum concentration of PPY when compared with control turkeys. This finding suggests a possible prebiotic effect of rye, warranting future studies to test this effect. Further studies to evaluate the microbiota diversity, as well as the concentration of ceca short-chain fatty acids, are also necessary to confirm the reliability of PPY as a potential metabolomic biomarker in poultry.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Opioids in Postsurgical Dental Pain.

Postsurgical dental pain is mainly driven by inflammation, particularly through the generation of prostaglandins via the cyclooxygenase system. Thus, it is no surprise that numerous randomized placebo-controlled trials studying acute pain following the surgical extraction of impacted third molars have demonstrated the remarkable efficacy of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, etodolac, diclofenac, and ketorolac in this prototypic condition of acute inflammatory pain. Combining an optimal dose of an NSAID with an appropriate dose of acetaminophen appears to further enhance analgesic efficacy and potentially reduce the need for opioids. In addition to being on average inferior to NSAIDs as analgesics in postsurgical dental pain, opioids produce a higher incidence of side effects in dental outpatients, including dizziness, drowsiness, psychomotor impairment, nausea/vomiting, and constipation. Unused opioids are also subject to misuse and diversion, and they may cause addiction. Despite these risks, some dental surgical outpatients may benefit from a 1- or 2-d course of opioids added to their NSAID regimen. NSAID use may carry significant risks in certain patient populations, in which a short course of an acetaminophen/opioid combination may provide a more favorable benefit versus risk ratio than an NSAID regimen.

Grazing Management and Buffer Strip Impact on Nitrogen Runoff from Pastures Fertilized with Poultry Litter.

Nitrogen runoff from pastures fertilized with animal manure, such as poultry litter, can result in accelerated eutrophication. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of grazing management and buffer strips on N runoff from pastures fertilized with poultry litter. A 12-yr study was conducted on 15 small watersheds in Booneville, AR, using five management practices: continuous grazing, haying, rotational grazing, rotational grazing with an unfertilized buffer strip, and rotational grazing with a fenced unfertilized riparian buffer. Poultry litter was applied annually at a rate of 5.6 Mg ha. Concentrations and loads of total N, NO-N, NH-N, organic N, and total organic C in runoff varied intra- and interannually and coincided with precipitation trends. Overall, the greatest component of total N in runoff was organic N. Rotational grazing resulted in the highest concentrations and loads of all forms of N in runoff compared with other treatments, including the continuously grazed paddocks, which were grazed almost twice as much. Total organic C concentrations and loads in runoff were also higher from rotationally grazed watersheds than other treatments. Rotational grazing is considered a best management practice that typically reduces soil erosion; hence, the mechanism by which it caused higher N and C runoff is unclear. Nitrogen runoff losses from rotationally grazed pastures were reduced by 44% with unfertilized buffer strips, by 54% with fenced unfertilized riparian buffers, and by 52% by converting pastures to hayfields.

Long-term effects of alum-treated litter, untreated litter and NH4NO3 application on phosphorus speciation, distribution and reactivity in soils using K-edge XANES and chemical fractionation.

Whereas soil test information on the fertility and chemistry of soils has been important to elaborate safe and sound agricultural practices, micro-scale information can give a whole extra dimension to understand the chemical processes occurring in soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects that the consecutive application of untreated poultry litter, alum-treated litter or ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) had on P solubility in soils over 20 years. For this, we used soil test data, sequential chemical fractionation (SCF) of P, and P K-edge XANES and µ-fluorescence spectroscopies. Water extractable P data indicated that application of alum to poultry litter was a very effective treatment for reducing P solubility. On the basis of our SCF of P data, P was primarily found within the 0.1 M NaOH pool across the applied rates and regardless of the treatment, where application of alum-treated litter accounted for as much as 59 ±â€¯2% of the total, followed by NH4NO3, 49 ±â€¯4%, and untreated litter, 40 ±â€¯2%. It was also shown that in soils where alum-treated litter was applied, the Resin pool accounted for 10 ±â€¯1% of the total, followed by NH4NO3, 13 ±â€¯4%, and untreated litter, 18 ±â€¯2%, indicating that P was less readily available in soils where alum-treated litter was applied. Phosphorus XANES indicated that P was predominantly associated to Fe > Al > Ca > organic molecules, regardless of the treatment or applied rates, though the formation of PoAl complexes was only found in soils that received application of alum-treated litter and was positively related to the applied rates. The combination of P-XANES with SCF or µ-fluorescence data was shown to provide valuable information about P reactivity and distribution in soils and should thus be used to address the fate of applied P amendments in soils.

Long-term Effects of Grazing Management and Buffer Strips on Soil Erosion from Pastures.

High grazing pressure can lead to soil erosion in pastures, causing increased sediment delivery to waterways. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the impact of grazing management and buffer strips on soil erosion by assessing soil physical properties, hydrology, and sediment loads from pastures fertilized with broiler litter. Field studies were conducted for 12 yr on 15 small watersheds. Five management strategies were evaluated: hayed (H), continuously grazed (CG), rotationally grazed (R), rotationally grazed with a buffer strip (RB), and rotationally grazed with a fenced riparian buffer (RBR). Broiler litter was applied every year at a rate of 5.6 Mg ha. Bulk density and penetration resistance were highest for CG watersheds. Runoff volumes, sediment concentrations, and loads were lowest for the H and RBR treatments and highest for CG. Average runoff amounts were 48, 84, 77, 60, and 81 mm yr for the H, R, RB, RBR, and CG treatments, respectively. Annual average sediment loads were 25, 30, 58, 71, and 110 kg ha for H, RBR, R, RB, and CG, respectively. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, Version 2 was reasonably effective at predicting soil loss for the R, RB, and RBR treatments, but it greatly overpredicted soil loss from the CG and H treatments. Converting a pasture to a hay field or using rotational grazing in conjunction with a fenced riparian buffer appear to be effective options for reducing soil erosion and runoff to waterways from pasture soils.

Effects of Grazing Management and Buffer Strips on Metal Runoff from Pastures Fertilized with Poultry Litter.

Metal runoff from fields fertilized with poultry litter may pose a threat to aquatic systems. Buffer strips located adjacent to fields may reduce nutrients and solids in runoff. However, scant information exists on the long-term effects of buffer strips combined with grazing management on metal runoff from pastures. The objective of this study was to assess the 12-yr impact of grazing management and buffer strips on metal runoff from pastures receiving poultry litter. The research was conducted using 15 watersheds (25 m wide and 57 m long) with five treatments: hayed (H), continuously grazed (CG), rotationally grazed (R), rotationally grazed with a buffer strip (RB), and rotationally grazed with a fenced riparian buffer strip (RBR). Poultry litter was applied annually in spring at 5.6 Mg ha. Runoff samples were collected after every rainfall event. Aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) concentrations were strongly and positively correlated with total suspended solids, indicating soil erosion was the primary source. Soluble Al and Fe were not related to total Al and Fe. However, there was a strong positive correlation between soluble and total copper (Cu) concentrations. The majority of total Cu and zinc was in water-soluble form. The CG treatment had the highest metal concentrations and loads of all treatments. The RBR and H treatments resulted in lower concentrations of total Al, Cu, Fe, potassium, manganese, and total organic carbon in the runoff. Rotational grazing with a fenced riparian buffer and converting pastures to hayfields appear to be effective management systems for decreasing concentrations and loads of metals in surface runoff from pastures fertilized with poultry litter.

First-in-human phase 1 study of margetuximab (MGAH22), an Fc-modified chimeric monoclonal antibody, in patients with HER2-positive advanced solid tumors.

Background: Margetuximab is an anti-HER2 antibody that binds with elevated affinity to both the lower and higher affinity forms of CD16A, an Fc-receptor important for antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against tumor cells. A Phase 1 study was initiated to evaluate the toxicity profile, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of margetuximab in patients with HER2-overexpressing carcinomas. Patients and methods: Patients with HER2-positive breast or gastric cancer, or other carcinomas that overexpress HER2, for whom no standard therapy was available, were treated with margetuximab by intravenous infusion at doses of 0.1-6.0 mg/kg for 3 of every 4 weeks (Regimen A) or once every 3 weeks (10-18 mg/kg) (Regimen B). Results: Sixty-six patients received margetuximab (34 patients for Regimen A and 32 patients for Regimen B). The MTD was not reached for either regimen. Treatment was well-tolerated, with mostly Grade 1 and 2 toxicities consisting of constitutional symptoms such as pyrexia, nausea, anemia, diarrhea, and fatigue. Among 60 response-evaluable patients, confirmed partial responses and stable disease were observed in 7 (12%) and 30 (50%) patients, respectively; 26 (70%) of these patients had received prior HER2-targeted therapy. Tumor reductions were observed in over half (18/23, 78%) of response-evaluable patients with breast cancer including durable (>30 weeks) responders. Ex vivo analyses of patient peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples confirmed the ability of margetuximab to support enhanced ADCC compared with trastuzumab. Conclusions: Margetuximab was well-tolerated and has promising single-agent activity. Further development efforts of margetuximab as single agent and in combination with other therapeutic agents are ongoing. Trial Registration ID: NCT01148849.

Copper and Zinc Runoff from Land Application of Composted Poultry Litter.

Regions with long-term animal manure applications based on nitrogen (N) requirements have concerns regarding elevated nutrient levels. Most attention has focused on phosphorus (P), but heavy metal accumulation has received attention due to perceived environmental concerns. Composting is a potential management practice that can reduce total manure mass and volume while creating a stabilized product that has less odor and fewer pathogens. However, composting animal manures can lead to high N loss via ammonia volatilization and increased concentrations of nonvolatile nutrients. The objective of this study was to measure copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in runoff water from plots fertilized with composted and fresh poultry litter. Seven treatments were evaluated in the first year: (i) unfertilized control, (ii) fresh poultry litter, (iii) normal compost (no amendment), (iv) composted litter with alum, (v) composted litter with phosphoric acid, (vi) composted litter with a microbial mixture, and (vii) composted litter with alum + microbial mixture. Six of these treatments were evaluated in Year 2 (alum + microbial mixture was not evaluated in Year 2). Rainfall simulators were used to produce a 5 cm h storm event sufficient in length to cause 30 min of continuous runoff. Concentrations of Cu and Zn were elevated in compost compared with fresh poultry litter. However, metal concentrations in compost did not correlate well with metal concentrations in runoff water and may have been affected by compost maturity and amendment. Total Cu and Zn concentrations in runoff water did not differ between alum-amended compost and fresh poultry litter in each year.

Ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions from a commercial broiler house.

Complex variation in gas emissions from animal facilities has been shown in recent research reports. Uncertainties in these emission estimates are driving research activities concerning different animal species across the globe. Greenhouse gas (NO and CO) and NH concentrations were measured in a modern, tunnel-ventilated, commercial broiler house in Mississippi during five flocks (spanning approximately 1 yr). These were flocks 9 through 13 on reused pine shavings litter, representing litter reuse beyond 2 yr. Gas concentrations obtained from a photoacoustic multigas analyzer were coupled with ventilation measurements of air flow through the house to develop NH and NO emission rates. Ammonia emission during a flock (43 d) averaged approximately 14.8 ± 9.8 kg d in the commercial house (equivalent to 23.5 g bird marketed or 0.54 g bird d). Nitrous oxide emission averaged 2.3 ± 1.7 kg d in the house (equivalent to 3.64 g bird marketed or 0.085 g bird d). Emission rates increased with time from Day 1 to Day 43 and reached average values on Day 23 and 24 for NH and NO. Even with extended litter reuse, estimates of NH emissions from the broiler house agree well with recently published research that reused litter in eight or fewer flocks. This is important information for farmers who may not be able to afford to replace the litter with fresh bedding material annually.

Factors affecting arsenic and copper runoff from fields fertilized with poultry litter.

Arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) runoff from fields fertilized with poultry litter has received increasing attention in recent years, although it is not known if heavy metal runoff from poultry litter poses a significant threat to the environment. The objective of this study was to determine the main factors affecting As and Cu concentrations in runoff water from pastures receiving poultry litter applications. Rainfall simulation studies were conducted to determine the effects of the following treatments on metal runoff: (i) aluminum sulfate (alum) additions, (ii) diet modification using phytase or high available phosphorus corn, (iii) fertilizer type, (iv) poultry litter application rate, and (v) time until the first runoff event occurs after poultry litter application. Results showed that alum additions to poultry litter significantly decreased As and Cu concentrations in runoff water. Copper concentrations were highest in runoff from poultry litter from birds fed phytase diets compared with other diets; however, this effect may have been a result of wet storage conditions rather than diet. Triple superphosphate applications resulted in the lowest heavy metal concentrations in runoff water among all fertilizer treatments, while normal poultry litter resulted in the highest concentrations. Arsenic and Cu concentrations increased in runoff water as poultry litter application rates increased and decreased with increasing time until the first runoff event. These data indicate that adding alum to poultry litter, a cost-effective best management practice, which also results in lower P runoff and ammonia emissions, may also be an effective tool in reducing metal runoff.

17ß-estradiol in runoff as affected by various poultry litter application strategies.

Steroidal hormones, which are excreted by all mammalian species, have received increasing attention in recent years due to potential environmental implications. The objective of this study was to evaluate 17ß-estradiol concentrations in runoff water from plots receiving poultry litter applications using various management strategies. Treatments included the effects of 1) aluminum sulfate (alum) application rates to poultry litter; 2) time until the first runoff event occurs after poultry litter application; 3) poultry litter application rate; 4) fertilizer type; and 5) litter from birds fed modified diets. Rainfall simulators were used to cause continuous runoff from fertilized plots. Runoff samples were collected and analyzed for 17ß-estradiol concentrations. Results showed that increasing alum additions to poultry litter decreased 17ß-estradiol concentrations in runoff water. A significant exponential decline in 17ß-estradiol runoff was also observed with increasing time until the first runoff event after litter application. Concentrations of 17ß-estradiol in runoff water increased with increasing litter application rate and remained above background concentrations after three runoff events at higher application rates. Management practices such as diet modification and selection of fertilizer type were also shown to affect 17ß-estradiol concentrations in runoff water. Although results from these experiments typically represented a worst case scenario since runoff events generally occurred immediately after litter application, the contaminant loss from pastures fertilized with poultry litter can be expected to be much lower than continual estradiol loadings observed from waste water treatment plants. Management practices such as alum amendment and application timing can significantly reduce the risk of 17ß-estradiol losses in the environment.

Reducing ammonia emissions and volatile fatty acids in poultry litter with liquid aluminum chloride.

This study was a pen trial in which the effects of adding different rates of liquid aluminum chloride (AlCl(3)) on litter pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and ammonia (NH(3)) fluxes was evaluated. Liquid AlCl(3) treatments used in this study were sprayed on the rice hull surface at rates of 100 g, 200 g, and 300 g liquid AlCl(3)/kg rice hulls; untreated rice hulls served as controls. Litter pH, total VFAs, and NH(3) fluxes were all lowered (P< 0.05) by all of the liquid AlCl(3) treatments compared with controls during certain times of the 5 week study. However, there were no significant differences among treatments on litter pH at the end of the study (from 3 to 5 weeks) or NH(3) fluxes at beginning of the study (0 to 3 weeks). Total VFAs were reduced 16 %, 29 %, and 53 % by 100 g liquid AlCl(3)/kg rice hulls, 200 g liquid AlCl(3)/kg rice hulls, and 300 g liquid AlCl(3)/kg rice hulls, respectively. Liquid AlCl(3)additions reduced NH(3) fluxes by 35 %, 57 % and 67 %, respectively, at the low, medium and high rates. In summary, these results indicate that adding liquid aluminum chloride to rice hulls would be a useful tool in reducing the negative environmental impact of poultry litter. It should be noted that the decreased VFA production and NH(3) volatilization was chiefly associated with reduction in litter pH.

Subsurface application of poultry litter in pasture and no-till soils.

Poultry litter provides a rich nutrient source for crops, but the usual practice of surface-applying litter can degrade water quality by allowing nutrients to be transported from fields in surface runoff while much of the ammonia (NH3)-N escapes into the atmosphere. Our goal was to improve on conventional titter application methods to decrease associated nutrient losses to air and water while increasing soil productivity. We developed and tested a knifing technique to directly apply dry poultry litter beneath the surface of pastures. Results showed that subsurface litter application decreased NH3-N volatilization and nutrient losses in runoff more than 90% (compared with surface-applied litter) to levels statistically as low as those from control (no litter) plots. Given this success, two advanced tractor-drawn prototypes were developed to subsurface apply poultry litter in field research. The two prototypes have been tested in pasture and no-till experiments and are both effective in improving nutrient-use efficiency compared with surface-applied litter, increasing crop yields (possibly by retaining more nitrogen in the soil), and decreasing nutrient losses, often to near background (control plot) levels. A paired-watershed study showed that cumulative phosphorus losses in runoff from continuously grazed perennial pastures were decreased by 55% over a 3-yr period if the annual poultry litter applications were subsurface applied rather than surface broadcast. Results highlight opportunities and challenges for commercial adoption of subsurface poultry litter application in pasture and no-till systems.

Effects of pasture renovation on hydrology, nutrient runoff, and forage yield.

Proper pasture management is important in promoting optimal forage growth and reducing runoff and nutrient loss. Pasture renovation is a management tool that improves aeration by mechanically creating holes or pockets within the soil. Pasture renovation was performed before manure application (poultry litter or swine slurry) on different pasture soils and rainfall simulations were conducted to identify the effects of pasture renovation on nutrient runoff and forage growth. Renovation of small plots resulted in significant and beneficial hydrological changes. During the first rainfall simulation, runoff volumes were 45 to 74% lower for seven out of eight renovated treatments, and infiltration rates increased by 3 to 87% for all renovated treatments as compared with nonrenovated treatments. Renovation of pasture soils fertilized with poultry litter led to significant reductions in dissolved reactive P (DRP) (74-87%), total P (TP) (76-85%), and total nitrogen (TN) (72-80%) loads in two of the three soils studied during the first rainfall simulation. Renovation did not result in any significant differences in forage yields. Overall, beneficial impacts of renovation lasted up to 3 mo, the most critical period for nutrient runoff following manure application. Therefore, renovation could be an important best management practice in these areas.

Environmental impacts and sustainability of egg production systems.

As part of a systemic assessment toward social sustainability of egg production, we have reviewed current knowledge about the environmental impacts of egg production systems and identified topics requiring further research. Currently, we know that 1) high-rise cage houses generally have poorer air quality and emit more ammonia than manure belt (MB) cage houses; 2) manure removal frequency in MB houses greatly affects ammonia emissions; 3) emissions from manure storage are largely affected by storage conditions, including ventilation rate, manure moisture content, air temperature, and stacking profile; 4) more baseline data on air emissions from high-rise and MB houses are being collected in the United States to complement earlier measurements; 5) noncage houses generally have poorer air quality (ammonia and dust levels) than cage houses; 6) noncage houses tend to be colder during cold weather due to a lower stocking density than caged houses, leading to greater feed and fuel energy use; 7) hens in noncage houses are less efficient in resource (feed, energy, and land) utilization, leading to a greater carbon footprint; 8) excessive application of hen manure to cropland can lead to nutrient runoff to water bodies; 9) hen manure on open (free) range may be subject to runoff during rainfall, although quantitative data are lacking; 10) mitigation technologies exist to reduce generation and emission of noxious gases and dust; however, work is needed to evaluate their economic feasibility and optimize design; and 11) dietary modification shows promise for mitigating emissions. Further research is needed on 1) indoor air quality, barn emissions, thermal conditions, and energy use in alternative hen housing systems (1-story floor, aviary, and enriched cage systems), along with conventional housing systems under different production conditions; 2) environmental footprint for different US egg production systems through life cycle assessment; 3) practical means to mitigate air emissions from different production systems; 4) process-based models for predicting air emissions and their fate; and 5) the interactions between air quality, housing system, worker health, and animal health and welfare.

Expansion of CD133(+) colon cancer cultures retaining stem cell properties to enable cancer stem cell target discovery.

BACKGROUND: Despite earlier studies demonstrating in vitro propagation of solid tumour cancer stem cells (CSCs) as non-adherent tumour spheres, it remains controversial as to whether CSCs can be maintained in vitro. Additional validation of the CSC properties of tumour spheres would support their use as CSC models and provide an opportunity to discover additional CSC cell surface markers to aid in CSC detection and potential elimination. METHODS: Primary tumour cells isolated from 13 surgically resected colon tumour specimens were propagated using serum-free CSC-selective conditions. The CSC properties of long-term cultured tumour spheres were established and mass spectrometry-based proteomics performed. RESULTS: Freshly isolated CD133(+) colorectal cancer cells gave rise to long-term tumour sphere (or spheroids) cultures maintaining CD133 expression. These spheroid cells were able to self-renew and differentiate into adherent epithelial lineages and recapitulate the phenotype of the original tumour. Relative to their differentiated progeny, tumour spheroid cells were more resistant to the chemotherapeutic irinotecan. Finally, CD44, CD166, CD29, CEACAM5, cadherin 17, and biglycan were identified by mass spectrometry to be enriched in CD133(+) tumour spheroid cells. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that ex vivo-expanded colon CSCs isolated from clinical specimens can be maintained in culture enabling the identification of CSC cell surface-associated proteins.