[Composting of poultry carcasses as an alternative method for disposal in case of an outbreak of an epizootic disease: first results]. / Kompostierung von Geflügeltierkörpern als alternative Beseitigungsmöglichkeit im Tierseuchenkrisenfall: erste Ergebnisse.

Composting of poultry carcasses represents an alternative method for disposal in case of an outbreak of an epizootic disease. Two composting experiments, each with a different construction of the compost pile, were carried out in a stable. In the first experiment two layers of turkey carcasses were formed. This compost pile covered with straw was directly built on the ground. In the second experiment no layers of carcasses were formed, and it was assembled on straw bales covered with plastic foil. One part of this compost pile was covered with straw, the other one was additionally covered with plastic foil. In the first experiment in the upper layers of the compost pile temperatures of up to 54.9 degrees C were reached and the decomposition of carcasses was very advanced with no soft tissues remaining after 30 days. In contrast temperatures of only 45.2 degrees C were reached in the lower layers and decomposition was far less advanced. This difference in decomposition was most likely caused by the temperature difference observed. In the second experiment the near complete decomposition seen in the upper layers of the compost pile at the first trial, was not achieved. Decomposition was more advanced in the straw covered part of this compost pile than in the part covered with straw and plastic foil. On the other hand, higher temperatures of up to 48.4 degrees C were measured in the lower layers of this compost pile most likely as a result of the increased heat insulation in particular to the ground.

Defective regulation of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipases C and D in a kindred with Tangier disease. Evidence for the involvement of phosphatidylcholine breakdown in HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux mechanisms.

The negative correlation between coronary heart disease and plasma levels of HDL has been attributed to the ability of HDL to take up cellular cholesterol. The HDL3-induced removal of cellular cholesterol was reported to be impaired in fibroblasts from patients with familial HDL deficiency (Tangier disease, TD). In addition, we have recently shown that HDL3 stimulates the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in cholesterol-loaded fibroblasts. To investigate whether this cell signaling pathway is involved in cholesterol efflux mechanisms, we compared the HDL3-induced PC hydrolysis in normal fibroblasts and in fibroblasts from a TD kindred, in whom the HDL3- and apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I)-induced mobilization of cellular cholesterol was found to be reduced by 50%. The HDL3-induced formation of phosphatidic acid (PA) via PC-specific phospholipase D (PC-PLD) was markedly reduced by 60-80% in these cells, whereas the formation of diacylglycerol (DG) via PC-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) was two- to threefold enhanced. Defective regulation of PC-PLC and PC-PLD was similarly observed in response to apo A-I and endothelin, but not in response to the receptor-independent stimulation of PC hydrolysis by PMA. A Tangier-like PA and DG formation pattern could be induced in normal cells after preincubation with pertussis toxin, suggesting the involvement of a G-protein. The impaired mobilization of radiolabeled cellular cholesterol in TD cells could completely be overcome by increasing the PA levels in the presence of the PA phosphohydrolase inhibitor propranolol. Conversely, the inhibition of PA formation in the presence of 0.3% butanol as well as the inhibition of DG formation in the presence of the PC-PLC inhibitor D 609 reduced the mobilization of cellular cholesterol both in normal and in TD cells. Our data indicate that the coordinate formation of PA and DG via PC-PLD and PC-PLC is essential for efficient cholesterol efflux. The molecular defect in this TD kindred appears to affect an upstream effector of protein kinase C responsible for the G-protein-dependent regulation of PC-specific phospholipases.

Genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity in familial lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency. Six newly identified defective alleles further contribute to the structural heterogeneity in this disease.

The presence of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency in six probands from five families originating from four different countries was confirmed by the absence or near absence of LCAT activity. Also, other invariate symptoms of LCAT deficiency, a significant increase of unesterified cholesterol in plasma lipoproteins and the reduction of plasma HDL-cholesterol to levels below one-tenth of normal, were present in all probands. In the probands from two families, no mass was detectable, while in others reduced amounts of LCAT mass indicated the presence of a functionally inactive protein. Sequence analysis identified homozygous missense or nonsense mutations in four probands. Two probands from one family both were found to be compound heterozygotes for a missense mutation and for a single base insertion causing a reading frame-shift. Subsequent family analyses were carried out using mutagenic primers for carrier identification. LCAT activity and LCAT mass in 23 genotypic heterozygotes were approximately half normal and clearly distinct from those of 20 unaffected family members. In the homozygous patients no obvious relationship between residual LCAT activity and the clinical phenotype was seen. The observation that the molecular defects in LCAT deficiency are dispersed in different regions of the enzyme suggests the existence of several functionally important structural domains in this enzyme.

The Ca2+ permeability of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. II. Ca2+ efflux in the energized state of the calcium pump.

Ca2+ efflux from sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles was studied by measurements of net Ca2+ uptake, 45Ca2+ flux and hydrolysis of energy-rich phosphate. The maximal Ca2+ uptake capacity (150-200 nmol/mg protein at pH 6.7, 10 mM MgCl2 and mu = 0.26) was independent of the nature and concentration of the energy-donating substrate (ATP or carbamyl phosphate) and of temperature (15-35 degrees C), suggesting coupling between influx and efflux of Ca2+. In the presence of high concentrations of ATP, this efflux of Ca2+ was much higher than the passive Ca2+ permeation, measured after ATP or Ca2+ depletion of the reaction medium. Ca2+ efflux was imperceptible at vesicle filling levels below 35-40 nmol Ca2+/mg protein, and uncorrelated to the inhibition of the Ca2+-ATPase by high intravesicular Ca2+ concentrations. Analysis of the data indicated that Ca2+ efflux under our conditions probably is associated with one of the Ca2+-ATPase partial reactions, occurring after dephosphorylation, rather than with a reversal of the Ca2+ translocation step in the phosphorylated state of the enzyme. Furthermore, passive Ca2+ permeation may be concurrently reduced during the enzymatically active state. It is proposed that both Ca2+ efflux and passive Ca2+ permeation (Ca2+ outflow) proceed via the same channels which are closed (occluded) during part of the Ca2+-ATPase reaction cycle.

The Ca2+ permeability of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. I. Ca2+ outflow in the non-energized state of the calcium pump.

Passive Ca2+ permeability of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles has been studied after maximal loading with Ca2+ (150-200 nmol/mg protein) in the presence of Ca2+, MgATP and an ATP generating system of limited capacity. Outflow of accumulated Ca2+ in the non-energized state of the system was studied by depletion of the medium of one of the substrates, either MgATP (by complete consumption) or Ca2+ (by complexation with EGTA). It was found that Ca2+ outflow under these conditions is relatively slow and independent of the medium concentration of Ca2+ (5 X 10(-9)-5 X 10(-5) M) or MgATP (0.7-730 microM). Outflow curves were steep at the beginning of the outflow phase (30-60 nmol/min per mg protein), and outflow proceeded at a much lower rate below 100 nmol Ca2+/mg protein. Outflow could be completely inhibited by La3+. The Ca2+ release curves are not compatible with simple diffusion, and cannot be accounted for by Ca2+ binding inside the vesicles. Neither are our observations consistent with permeation mediated via the Ca2+ translocation sites involved in active transport. We suggest that non-energized Ca2+ outflow may proceed by a process of ion-exchange through negatively charged, water-filled channels in the membrane, the properties of which are altered by a high intravesicular concentration of Ca2+.

[Experiences with the eradication of the bovine herpes virus 1 in Lower Saxony]. / Erfahrungen mit der BHV1-Bekämpfung in Niedersachsen.

In this paper first the general cascade of animal disease eradication from the voluntary control programme up to culling of infected animals is described. Afterwards the development of the eradication of Bovine Herpes Virus in Lower Saxony is illustrated. Obvious the number of farms which are not eradicating decreases since the testing on BHV1 is obligate in Germany. In 2004 60% of the cattle holdings were free from BHV1. At least the measures which will be taken in Lower Saxony to increase the success of eradication are explained.

Experiences with Sinemet CR in the Paracelsus-Elena-Klinik.

In an open-label study, 20 patients with peak-dose dyskinesia and/or end-of-dose fluctuations were switched from standard Sinemet to Sinemet CR. Seventeen patients showed good tolerance and therapeutic results for at least 6 months. However, 10 patients showed a slight decrease of this improvement after 6 months; 3 had to be put back on standard Sinemet because of hallucinations (1) or accentuation of dyskinesia and akinesia (2). For optimal results, a higher dosage is needed (mean = 33%), but the number of doses per day can be reduced (mean = 30%).

Progesterone androstenedione testosterone and clinical characteristics in endometrial carcinoma.

Serum concentrations of progesterone (P), androstenedione (A) and testosterone (T) were measured in 128 postmenopausal women with endometrial adenocarcinoma. The correlations between these hormones were studied and related to such clinical parameters as: stage, histopathology, age, gynaecological history, body mass index and related diseases. In previous studies we have shown the relations between oestron (E1) and oestradiol (E2) serum concentration and clinical parameters. A clear correlation was seen between E1 and E2. Both E1 and E2 also strongly correlated with BMI. In this study androstenedione is found to correlate with E1 and E2, p less than 0.03 and p less than 0.02 resp. Progesterone and E1 were correlated, p less than 0.01, but not P and E2. Testosterone correlated with E1, p less than 0.002, E2, p less than 0.003 and A, p less than 0.02. None of the hormones P, A or T correlate with BMI. Androstenedione and age, and A and menopausal years showed a negative correlation, p less than 0.01 for both. Testosterone correlated with menopausal years, p less than 0.03; and correlated negatively with years of menstruation, p less than 0.03. These results do not support the hypothesis that A is the exclusive precursor for conversion to E1 in fat tissue. The correlation between P and E1 could indicate a relation to steroids higher up in the synthesis chain. The influence of P, A and T on the investigated clinical factors can not be strong, since correlations are virtually missing.

Oestrogens and clinical characteristics in endometrial carcinoma.

Serum concentrations of endogenously produced oestrogens were studied in 128 postmenopausal women with endometrial carcinoma. Radioimmunoassays of serum oestrone (E1) and oestradiol (E2) were performed on admission to hospital. Results showed a wide variation in serum concentrations of E1 and E2 in patients with endometrial carcinoma. Some patients had high E1 values and low E2, while none of the patients had low E1 and high E2 values. Hormonal levels were correlated with increasing BMI (E1; p less than 0.000001; E2; p less than 0.000001). Uterine cavity depth was also related to both E1 and E2 (E1; p less than 0.00001; E2; p less than 0.0003). Concentrations of E1 and E2 were higher in diabetic women than in the non-diabetic. (E1; p less than 0.002; E2; p less than 0.01). E2 concentration was higher in hypertensive patients than in the non-hypertensive patients (p less than 0.04). Parameters such as age, menstrual history, clinical stage and histopathology showed no significant correlation with hormone concentrations.

Influence of oestrogen on growth of endometrial carcinoma.

The influence of endogenously produced oestrogen on the growth of endometrial carcinoma was studied in postmenopausal 128 patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma. Plasma concentration of oestrone (E1) and oestradiol (E2) showed wide variations. Hormone levels were analysed in relation to growth rate, expressed as S-phase rate measured by flow cytometry, and to ploidy level. When the whole unclassified group was studied, no statistical relationship between E1 and E2 levels and S-phase rates were found. However, when peridiploid tumors (1.8-2.2 c) were divided according to histopathological grades, well differentiated tumors with low oestradiol concentrations (less than 60 pmol/I) had significantly lower S-phase rates than those with higher oestradiol levels (p less than 0.01). Aneuploid tumors showed high S-phase rates regardless of plasma oestradiol concentrations.

HPV 18 and cervical adenocarcinomas.

Using Southern blot or in situ hybridization, several studies have recently reported an association between HPV 18 and adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix. In this study PCR was used to analyse the presence of HPV 16 and 18 in paraffin embedded biopsies of cervical adenocarcinoma in Northern Sweden. HPV DNA was confirmed in 11 (42%) of 26 cases. Seven (27%) were positive for HPV 18 and 4 (15%) for HPV 16. Nine of 13 premenopausal cases were HPV positive compared to only 2 of 13 postmenopausal cases (p less than 0.015). There was also a tendency towards previous negative cytology in HPV 18 positive premenopausal patients. The significance of these findings in relation to epidemiology of cervical adenocarcinoma is discussed.

Prognostic significance of flow cytometric and clinical variables in endometrial adenocarcinoma stages I and II.

In a prospective study comprising 447 women with endometrial carcinoma stages I-II, the prognostic significance of clinical and flow cytometric variables was evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses. The parameters studied included age, uterine cavity depth, clinical stage, histopathologic grade, myometrial invasion, weight, body mass index (BMI), parity, diabetes, oestrogen treatment, DNA - content and S-phase fraction. Patient selection for surgery influenced prognosis with a better survival in operated patients. In the univariate analysis the following parameters correlated with survival: age, grade, myometrial invasion, DNA - content and S- phase fraction. In the multivariate analyses which included clinical variables only, age, grade and myometrial invasion remained significant, but when flow cytometric variables were added, only S-phase fraction and myometrial invasion contained prognostic information. S-phase fraction also generally correlated with time of recurrence.

Food intake patterns and risk of coronary heart disease: a prospective cohort study examining the use of traditional scoring techniques.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyses the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) associated with food intake patterns. DESIGN: A cohort study with follow-up in 1996 for first admission to hospital for a CHD diagnosis or death caused by CHD (280 cases). Three food patterns were identified from a food frequency questionnaire: (1) a predefined healthy food index; (2) a prudent diet (reflecting frequent intakes of wholemeal cereals, fruit and vegetables); and (3) a Western food pattern (reflecting frequent intakes of meat products, butter and white bread) derived by factor analysis. Both factor scores had a mean of zero and a standard deviation of 1. SETTING: Copenhagen County, Denmark. SUBJECTS: A random sample of 7316 adults participated in health examinations conducted either in 1982-1984, 1987, or 1991-1992. RESULTS: The healthy food index and the Western pattern were not associated with CHD. The prudent pattern was associated with a decreased risk of CHD (Hazard ratio (HR per score unit increase)=0.85; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.75, 0.96), but the association vanished (HR=1.06; 95% CI, 0.93, 1.21) after controlling for confounding. Body mass index (BMI) modified the effect of the prudent and the Western patterns on CHD risk, suggesting an inverse association between both patterns and CHD in persons with low BMI, while the risk of CHD seemed to be positively related to the prudent and the Western pattern in those with high BMIs. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed no association between dietary patterns and CHD risk, but suggests that BMI modifies the relation between diet and CHD risk.

[Animal welfare relevant issues during the killing of poultry during epidemics]. / Tierschutzrelevante Sachverhalte bei der Tötung von Geflügel im Seuchenfall.

In this article firstly the standards of the killing methods of poultry because of animal diseases and the parameter for the choice of a method are described. The following part deals with the effects of the different killing methods. Finally the most important control points during the killing of poultry are discussed.

Adult rhabdomyoma extending from the nasopharynx to the skull base.

Adult rhabdomyoma is an exceedingly uncommon tumor in the head and neck. We present a case localized to the left parapharyngeal area in a 57-year-old woman. The various diagnostic measures used are discussed. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice.

Interaction of phenolsulphonphthalein dyes with rabbit plasma and rabbit serum albumin.

Interaction of various substituted phenolsulphonphthalein dyes to rabbit plasma and rabbit serum albumin has been studied by ultrafiltration, equilibrium dialysis and spectrophotometry. The results obtained by ultrafiltration and equilibrium dialysis showed that the degree of binding of these dyes to protein increases in the following order: Phenol red less than bromophenol blue less than bromocresol green less than bromothymol blue. Analysis of binding results revealed that five molecules of bromothymol blue bound very strongly to a molecule of rabbit albumin, whereas only two and three molecules of bromophenol blue and bromocresol green strongly interact with the protein, respectively. It is suggested that strong binding of these substances to protein may be related to the hydrophobicity of these compounds. Finally, an attempt has been made to evaluate the possibility, whether the spectral changes occurred during interaction of dyes to albumin can be utilized for the determination of binding of these ligands to proteins.

Renal malakoplakia. Report of a case with giant Michaelis-Gutmann bodies.

We report an unusual case of renal malakoplakia appearing as a solitary tumour with spread beyond the confines of the kidney, affecting adjoining organs. The Michaelis-Gutmann bodies were extraordinary large (greater than 100 mu) and contained inconspicuous amounts of lime-salts. Their ultrastructural features, however, were identical with those previously described for Michaelis-Gutmann bodies.