A patient with an electrical burn treated by modified bilateral hemipelvectomy and disarticulation of the right arm

A 23-year-old Hispanic worker sustained an electrical injury to 45% of his body when a crane hit a power line. Amputations of both legs, with bilateral partial hemipelvectomies, were required. A disarticulation of the right arm at the shoulder was also preformed. Resection of necrotic bowel, debridement of 95% of the abdominal wall, and resection of the genitalia was eventually required, with later reconstruction of the abdominal wall. After wound healing was complete, the patient was fitted with Jobst garments. A customized bucket prosthesis with a temperature control, to allow sitting upright, was provided. An electric wheel chair and a myoelectronic prosthetic arm were supplied. Rehabilitation was begun early.

'Flexispira rappini' strains represent at least 10 Helicobacter taxa

'Flexispira rappini' is a provisional name given to gram-negative, microaerophilic, motile, spindle-shaped micro-organisms with spiral periplasmic fibres and bipolar tufts of sheathed flagella. Several investigators, including Kirkbride, Romero, and Archer isolated strains possessing this morphology. Previously, the phylogenetic position of three 'Flexispira rappini' strains was determined by 165 rRNA sequencing, which indicated that flexispira were members of the genus Helicobacter. As more organisms with 'F. rappini' morphology were isolated, it became apparent that there were multiple Helicobacter taxa with this distinctive morphology. The purpose of this study was to examine a collection of 36 'F. rappini' strains from diverse habitats by using 165 rRNA sequence analysis. The strains fell into 10 taxa, each possibly representing a novel Helicobacter species. Two of these flexispira taxa were previously named, by us, Helicobacter bilis and Helicobacter trogontum. Currently, none of the flexispira taxa contains enough phenotypically and genotypically characterized strains to be formally named 'Helicobacter rappinii'.

p53 overexpression in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

BACKGROUND

Coastal South Carolina has a high incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCCE) among black residents. Overexpression and mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene have been noted in SCCE from other high-incidence regions. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of p53 overexpression in this region both in patients with SCCE and in normal subjects.

METHODS

Normal and malignant tissue obtained at esophagoscopy and normal esophageal mucosa (NEM) from random autopsies were studied with monoclonal antibodies to the p53 gene product. Total cellular RNA was extracted from SCCE, reverse transcribed to complementary DNA, and a portion of the p53 gene was amplified via polymerase chain reaction and sequenced.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical studies on SCCE from nine patients showed that six (67%) were positive, two (22%) were negative, and one was indeterminate for p53 overexpression. The corresponding normal samples showed that three (33%) had p53-positive cells in the basal epithelial layer, whereas six did not. NEM from 18 random forensic cases displayed p53 overexpression in seven (39%). Eight of the nine tumors had p53 mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

p53 overexpression and mutations are frequently found in SCCE from patients in coastal South Carolina. Overexpression in normal epithelium from random autopsy cases may indicate an inherited or acquired predisposition in this geographic region.

Prevalence of p53 mutations in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus has an uneven geographic distribution with a strong prevalence in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Although many environmental influences and some genetic factors have been implicated in its development, the molecular events required for tumorigenesis have not been defined. Point mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene are the most commonly noted genetic defect in human tumors. Our study shows that p53 point mutations occur more frequently in patients with esophageal cancer from this region than in patients from other areas of the world where the disease is prevalent.

Opportunities for enhanced cervical and breast screening referral in Charleston County

In order to increase awareness of the need for pap smear and mammographic cancer screening, the Professional Education Committee of the Charleston County Chapter of the American Cancer Society (ACS) separately surveyed Charleston County women and physicians regarding their use of women's cancer screening tests. Seven hundred and thirty-one women responded to a Cancer Screening Survey for Women. Women not complying with ACS guidelines for pap smears and mammography, when compared to women complying with the guidelines, were found to be twice as likely to be non-white, much more frequently lacked a regular physician or a gynecologist, more commonly lacked insurance paying at least in part for the test, and more frequently reported that physicians visited did not suggest pap smear or mammographic screening. Almost one-third of 75 responding physicians acknowledged not discussing pap smear and mammographic screening with their patients, a practice most often attributed to "specialization." Among physicians not referring women for needed mammograms or pap smears, roughly half also cited patient refusal, deferral, and oversight as reasons. The survey data suggest that a simple, practical, method is needed in doctors' offices to remind women of the need for periodic pap smear and mammographic screening, especially whenever women lacking a regular gynecologist seek any type of medical care. The authors recognize that these samples of females and physicians are not necessarily representative of those components of the Charleston area overall.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of differences in starch content of diets with whole cottonseed or rice bran on milk casein

Forty lactating Holstein cows in early to midlactation were used in a randomized complete block design to measure the effects of the following diets on milk casein. Treatments were four complete rations fed for ad libitum intake consisting of 1) 60% concentrate, 10% alfalfa hay, and 30% corn silage; 2) 45% concentrate, 10% alfalfa hay, 30% corn silage, and 15% whole cottonseed; 3) 60% concentrate, 5% alfalfa hay, 20% corn silage, and 15% whole cottonseed; and 4) 45% concentrate, 10% alfalfa hay, 30% corn silage, and 15% rice bran. Least squares means for daily DM intake all were significantly different and were 3.51, 3.90, 3.28, and 3.74% BW, respectively. Cows fed diet 3 had higher arterial glucose and insulin and venous insulin. Least squares means were significantly different for milk yield, 30.1, 31.4, 28.4, and 31.6 kg/d; for milk protein, 3.30, 3.13, 3.48, and 3.12%; and for casein N, .376, .358, 3.73, and .330, respectively. However, milk protein and casein N yields were similar for all cows. The diet that contained the highest percentage of starch did not result in a significantly higher percentage of casein N in the milk but had the lowest milk production. Both whole cottonseed and rice bran, substituted for concentrate, depressed milk protein percentage.

Lysis of fresh murine mammary tumor cells by syngeneic natural killer cells and lymphokine-activated killer cells

We have compared the ability of natural killer (NK) cells from two substrains of C3H mice that differ with respect to their susceptibility to the development of mammary adenocarcinomas to lyse fresh syngeneic mammary tumor cells. Single cell suspensions of mammary tumors from retired breeder females were used as targets in 22-h 51Cr-release cytotoxicity assays with syngeneic NK cells. Tumor cell suspensions were prepared by enzymatic digestion of finely minced tissue followed by centrifugation through a discontinuous Percoll gradient. Effector cells were prepared by passing spleen cells over nylon wool followed by centrifugation through Percoll fraction 7. Syngeneic NK cells had significant levels of lysis against 5/8 tumors studied. NK cells from low risk animals (C3Heb/FeJ) consistently demonstrated greater cytotoxicity against tumor cell preparations than did effectors from the high tumor substrain (C3H/OuJ). Study of cytocentrifuge preparations stained with Wright-Giemsa revealed that the two substrains were identical with respect to the number of azurophilic granules present in the cytoplasm of their NK cells. We have also shown that lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells can be generated from splenocytes in C3H mice. While LAK cells from both substrains were capable of lysing fresh syngeneic mammary tumor cells in vitro, LAK cells from the animals at high risk for the formation of mammary adenocarcinomas had greater cytotoxicity against tumor cell suspensions than LAK cells from the low tumor substrain.

Porcine abortion caused by Bacillus sp

Bacillus sp is known to cause abortion in cattle and sheep, but it is rarely reported to cause abortion in swine. Bacillus sp was isolated from aborted fetuses, and lesions compatible with a bacterial infection were detected in 4 of 962 aborted porcine fetuses examined. The infection apparently results in sporadic abortions and is not likely to cause economically significant reproductive failures within a herd.

Abortion in sheep caused by a nonclassified, anaerobic, flagellated bacterium

Twenty-eight pregnant ewes were inoculated IV with approximately 6 X 10(8) nonclassified, anaerobic, flagellated bacteria (NAFB) that had been isolated from an aborted lamb. Abortion occurred in 3 of the ewes and 1 ewe gave birth to a weak lamb. The remaining 24 ewes and 3 other ewes inoculated orally with NAFB did not develop clinical signs of illness. Suppuration and vasculitis were seen in the placentas of the 3 aborted lambs, 1 of which had necropurulent hepatitis indistinguishable from that usually attributed to Campylobacter fetus infection. The NAFB was isolated from fetal placenta, abomasal content, or internal organs of 2 aborted lambs and the weak lamb. A morphologically similar organism was seen in the abomasal content of the other aborted lamb, but the organism did not grow on bacteriologic culture medium. Therefore, in susceptible pregnant ewes, NAFB can cause fetal placentitis and hepatitis and subsequent birth of weak lambs or abortion.

Effects of amount of whole cottonseed on intake, digestibility, and physiological responses of dairy cows

In Experiment 1, 27 lactating cows were fed complete rations ad libitum of 0, 15, and 30% whole cottonseed to examine the effects on intake, digestibility, blood gases, and blood metabolites. Dry matter intake declined linearly with increased cottonseed, but because of greater energy density, calculated net energy for lactation intake was not depressed significantly. Ether extract, crude protein, and calcium digestibility increased with cottonseed in the diet. Respiration rates declined with dry matter intake and increased cottonseed feeding; some blood gases were influenced by cottonseed feeding but not in a detrimental way. No data among 13 blood metabolites indicated effects of gossypol toxicity with 30% whole cottonseed in the diet. In Experiment 2, 24 dry, nonpregnant Holstein cows were offered complete rations ad libitum of 15, 35, and 55% whole cottonseed to measure responses in intake, respiration rates, and blood metabolites. The highest cottonseed diet significantly depressed intake of both dry matter and calculated net energy for lactation. Maximum dry matter from cottonseed eaten by an individual was 8.4 kg/d (average for 1 wk). Respiration rates declined parallel to intake. No evidence for gossypol toxicity was seen among data of 11 metabolites in blood.

Effect of lint on whole cottonseed passage and digestibility and diet choice on intake of whole cottonseed by Holstein cows

Effects of rolling whole linted cottonseed and whole acid-delinted cottonseed on whole seed passage and digestibility were determined using 24 lactating Holstein cows. Whole seed passage averaged .74% in all cows fed whole linted seed during the standardization period and .45% in 6 cows fed whole linted seed during a comparison period, contrasted to 11.3% in 6 cows fed acid-delinted seed. Digestibility of ether extract was less in the 6 cows fed whole acid-delinted cottonseed. No advantage was for rolling whole linted cottonseed before feeding, but rolling was beneficial for whole acid-delinted cottonseed. Individual consumption of whole linted cottonseed by 18 nonpregnant, dry Holstein cows varied from .04 to 5.05 kg/day when two-choice options were given for cottonseed versus chopped coastal bermudagrass hay or corn silage, or a complete ration of 75% corn silage and 25% concentrate. No indication of gossypol toxicity was seen, but the large variation in each choice situation suggests it is desirable to blend cottonseed with other ingredients to ensure more uniform consumption.

Ovine abortion associated with an anaerobic bacterium

An anaerobic, slightly curved, tapered, corrugated, rod-shaped bacterium with O to greater than 12 flagella at each pole was isolated from 2 aborted lambs with focal hepatic necrosis. The organism stained faintly Gram-negative, but stained better by the Giemsa method. It was pleomorphic in culture, ranging from filaments containing granules to faintly staining spheroids.

Line transect estimators for left-truncated distributions

Left-truncated line transect data sets may occur when surveying with certain types of aircraft where the observer cannot look straight down. A general model of left-truncation in line transect sampling is developed and parametric estimators are derived in such cases when the underlying distribution of right-angle distances is either exponentially or half-normally distributed. Computer simulations demonstrate the validity of the derived estimators and the expected nonrobustness against alternative distributions. An aerial survey example using dolphin data is presented.

Effects of dietary sodium bicarbonate and calcium chloride on physiological responses of lactating dairy cows in hot weather

Twenty-four lactating cows were assigned randomly to three treatments to evaluate responses to large differences of dietary sodium and chloride. Treatments were corn-cottonseed meal-corn silage based complete rations with either: 1) .23% sodium chloride (control), 2) control plus 2.28% calcium chloride, or 3) control plus 1.70% sodium bicarbonate. Treatment effects were significant for urine pH (7.96, 5.41, 8.18), blood pH (7.50, 7.39, 7.49), partial pressure of oxygen (91.2, 99.4, 86.3 mm Hg), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (34.60, 30.57, 32.98 mm Hg), bicarbonate (26.20, 18.06, 24.64 meq/liter), total carbon dioxide (27.51, 19.18, 25.88 mM/liter), base excess (4.50, -4.31, 3.13 meq/liter), plasma chloride (93.4, 102.8, 95.7 meq/liter), serum potassium (3.26, 4.24, 4.14 meq/liter), and inorganic phosphorus (7.11, 5.61, 6.80 mg/100 ml). Blood glucose (45.1, 43.0, 55.5 mg/dl) and blood urea nitrogen (11.8, 8.7, 11.9 mg/dl) exhibited treatment effects. Respiration rates, 84.8, 61.8, 89.9 per min, and body temperatures, 39.7, 39.0, and 40.0 degrees C were significantly different. Lower intake of the high chloride diet and higher intake of the bicarbonate diet were probably responsible for some of the effects. Dietary electrolytes should receive attention in formulation because acid-base status of the animal is determined, in part, by ionic concentration and balance of the diet.

Antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli strains isolated from pigs with diarrhea

Antimicrobial sensitivities were determined for 1,037 Escherichia coli isolates cultured from the intestines of pigs with diarrhea. In vitro resistance by at least 1 isolate of E coli was demonstrated to each antimicrobial tested. Isolates from suckling pigs were more often resistant to chloramphenicol than were those from weaned pigs. Significantly more E coli from weaned pigs were resistant to kanamycin and neomycin than were those from suckling pigs. Escherichia coli that were the primary cause of diarrhea (colibacillosis isolates) were significantly more resistant to kanamycin, neomycin, and spectinomycin than were noncolibacillosis isolates. The opposite was true for ampicillin.

Antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae isolates from pigs with pneumonia

Antimicrobial sensitivity patterns were determined for 53 isolates of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae from pneumonic porcine lung tissue. All strains were sensitive to chloramphenicol, gentamicin, spectinomycin, and sulfachlorpyridazine. Other antimicrobials tested had less efficacy for in vitro inhibition of H pleuropneumoniae.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes dermatophytosis in wild fox

Dermatophytosis caused by a zoophilic varient of Trichophyton mentagrophytes was diagnosed in a litter of eight captured wild red fox (Vulpes fulva). The animals had widespread partial alopecia and scattered crusty foci 2 to 3 cm in diameter on the skin. Treatment with 7 mg/kg/body weight/day of griseofulvin in the feed effectively controlled the infection.

Necropsy and laboratory findings in free-living deer in South Dakota

In a diagnostic survey of diseases in wild white-tailed deer (62 cases) and mule deer (12 cases) the most common findings were traumatic injury (20%), nontraumatic hemorrhage (13%), polioencephalomalacia (11%), and bacterial infections (9%). Although epizootic hemorrhagic disease was suspected in several cases, the virus was isolated from only 1 white-tailed deer.

Salmonella serotypes encountered at the South Dakota animal diagnostic laboratory

This paper summarizes the various Salmonella serotypes isolated from feed samples and cases of salmonellosis in domestic animals between 1 January 1970 and 1 June 1972.

Directional Selection in Simulated Populations of Self-Pollinated Plants

Selection for a metric trait was practised in populations of self-pollinated plants simulated on a high-speed electronic computer.