Effect of envelope material on biosecurity during emergency bovine mortality composting.

The biosecurity of composting as an emergency disposal method for cattle mortalities caused by disease was evaluated by conducting full-scale field trials begun during three different seasons and using three different envelope materials. Process biosecurity was significantly affected by the envelope material used to construct the composting matrix. Internal temperatures met USEPA Class A time/temperature criteria for pathogen reduction in 89%, 67%, and 22%, respectively of seasonal test units constructed with corn silage, straw/manure, or ground cornstalks. In trials begun in the winter, survival times of vaccine strains of avian encephalomyelitis and Newcastle disease virus were noticeably shorter in silage test units than in the other two materials, but during summer/spring trials survival times in ground cornstalk and straw/manure test units were similar to those in test units constructed with silage.

Energy use in pig production: an examination of current Iowa systems.

This paper compares energy use for different pig production systems in Iowa, a leader in US swine production. Pig production systems include not only the growth and performance of the pigs, but also the supporting infrastructure of pig production. This supporting infrastructure includes swine housing, facility management, feedstuff provision, swine diets, and manure management. Six different facility type × diet formulation × cropping sequence scenarios were modeled and compared. The baseline system examined produces 15,600 pigs annually using confinement facilities and a corn-soybean cropping sequence. Diet formulations for the baseline system were corn-soybean meal diets that included the synthetic AA l-lysine and exogenous phytase. The baseline system represents the majority of current US pork production in the Upper Midwest, where most US swine are produced. This system was found to require 744.6 MJ per 136-kg market pig. An alternative system that uses bedded hoop barns for grow-finish pigs and gestating sows would require 3% less (720.8 MJ) energy per 136-kg market pig. When swine production systems were assessed, diet type and feed ingredient processing were the major influences on energy use, accounting for 61 and 79% of total energy in conventional and hoop barn-based systems, respectively. Improving feed efficiency and better matching the diet formulation with the thermal environment and genetic potential are thus key aspects of reducing energy use by pig production, particularly in a hoop barn-based system. The most energy-intensive aspect of provisioning pig feed is the production of synthetic N for crop production; thus, effectively recycling manure nutrients to cropland is another important avenue for future research. Almost 25% of energy use by a conventional farrow-to-finish pig production system is attributable to operation of the swine buildings. Developing strategies to minimize energy use for heating and ventilation of swine buildings while maintaining pig comfort and performance is a third critical area for future research. The hoop barn-based alternative uses 64% less energy to operate buildings but requires bedding and 2.4% more feed. Current Iowa pig production systems use energy differently but result in similar total energy use. Compared with 1975, current farrow-to-finish systems in Iowa require 80% less energy to produce live market pigs.

Comparison of steer behavior when housed in a deep-bedded hoop barn versus an open feedlot with shelter.

The use of hoop barns as an alternative housing system for beef cattle has not been widely researched. The objectives of this study were to determine the main effects of behavior of steers 1) over winter and summer, 2) when housed in either a hoop barn or a conventional feedlot, and 3) interactions between season and housing system. A total of 960 crossbred Bos taurus steers were used [August 2006 to April 2008 (2 winter and 2 summer trials)]. Steers were housed in either 1 deep-bedded hoop barn (n = 12 pens; 4.65 m(2)/steer) or 1 open feedlot with shelter (n = 12 pens; 14.7 m(2)/steer). Steers were ear tagged, implanted, and weighed (414 ± 36 kg) on arrival and allotted to treatments that were balanced for source, BW, and hide color. Behavioral data (3 postures and 2 behaviors) were collected using a 10-min live scan. The experimental unit for behavior was a pen of steers. Behavioral data were arcsine transformed to achieve a normal distribution. There were no (P > 0.05) differences for time spent at bunk or waterer for steers between housing treatments. Steers housed in an open feedlot with shelter spent less time lying and more time standing and walking (P < 0.05) compared with steers housed in a hoop barn. There were no (P = 0.32) differences between seasons for standing. Steers spent more time at the bunk (P < 0.0001) and waterer (P < 0.0001) in the summer compared with the winter. In the winter, steers engaged in more lying (P = 0.0002) and walking (P < 0.0001). Overall, steers stood less (P = 0.006) and spent more time lying (P = 0.024) when housed in a hoop barn than in the open feedlot with shelter regardless of season. Steers housed in the open feedlot with shelter walked more (P < 0.0001) than steers housed in the hoop barn and walked more (P < 0.0001) in winter than in summer months (6 vs. 3%). There were no (P > 0.05) differences in time spent at bunk and waterer between housing systems within season, but time spent at the waterer and bunk decreased (P < 0.05) for both housing systems during the winter. In conclusion, housing 40 steers per pen in a cornstalk-bedded hoop barn at 4.65 m(2)/steer does not result in adverse behavioral alterations and can be considered as a housing alternative for finishing steers in the Midwestern United States when compared with steers fed in an open feedlot with shelter provided.

Performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef cattle managed in a bedded hoop-barn system.

The use of bedded hoop barns in finishing systems for beef cattle has not been widely researched. In this management system, beef cattle are confined to hoop barns throughout finishing, and bedding is used to absorb animal waste, which results in minimal effluent. The objective of this study was to compare the performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers (n = 1,428) managed in a bedded hoop-barn management system vs. an open-feedlot system with shelter. Six feeding trials were conducted over a 3-yr period. Three trials were conducted during summer-fall and 3 trials were conducted during winter-spring. Crossbred steers were allotted to 3 pens in the hoop-barn system and to 3 pens in the open-lot system (approximately 40 steers per pen in both facility systems). Stocking densities for the steers were 4.65 m(2) per steer in the hoop-barn system and 14.7 m(2) per steer in the open-lot system. The steers were begun on trial weighing 410 and 411 kg (SD = 21), were fed for 102.3 and 103.0 d (SD = 3.8), and were weighed off test at 595 and 602 kg (SD = 21) for the hoop-barn and open-lot systems, respectively. Steer performance measures consisted of ADG, DMI, and G:F. Carcass characteristics were HCW, fat thickness, LM area, KPH percentage, marbling score, USDA yield grade, and USDA quality grade. No year, season, or pen (management system) main effects, or season x management system and year x management system interactions were observed for any of the items measured related to cattle performance or carcass characteristics (P > 0.05). Final mud scores (a subjective evaluation of the amount of soil and manure adhering to the hair coat of the animals) were greater for the steers from the open-lot system compared with those from the hoop-barn system (P < 0.02), suggesting steers in the hoop-barn system carried less mud than steers from the open-lot system. Average daily cornstalk bedding use in the hoop-barn system was 2.3 kg/steer during summer-fall and 2.6 kg/steer during winter-spring. The performance of finishing cattle managed in a hoop-barn system was not different from the performance of cattle managed in an open-feedlot system with shelter during summer and winter. Managing beef cattle in hoop barns required more bedding but resulted in decreased mud scores compared with cattle managed in an open-lot system with shelter. Hoop barns are a viable alternative housing management system for finishing beef cattle.

Nonsolar energy use and one-hundred-year global warming potential of Iowa swine feedstuffs and feeding strategies.

Demand for nonsolar energy and concern about the implications of fossil fuel combustion have encouraged examination of energy use associated with agriculture. The United States is a global leader in pig production, and the United States swine industry is centered in Iowa. Feed is the largest individual input in pig production, but the energy consumption of the Iowa swine feed production chain has yet to be critically examined. This analysis examines nonsolar energy use and resulting 100-yr global warming potential (GWP) associated with the swine feed production chain, beginning with cultivation of crops and concluding with diet formulation. The nonsolar energy use and accompanying 100-yr GWP associated with production of 13 common swine feed ingredients are estimated. Two diet formulation strategies are considered for 4 crop sequence x ingredient choice combinations to generate 8 crop sequence x diet formulation scenarios. The first formulation strategy (simple) does not include synthetic AA or phytase. The second strategy (complex) reduces CP content of the diet by using L-lysine to meet standardized ileal digestibility lysine requirements of pigs and includes the exogenous enzyme phytase. Regardless of crop sequence x diet formulation scenario, including the enzyme phytase is energetically favorable and reduces the potential excretion of P by reducing or removing inorganic P from the complete diet. Including L-lysine reduces the CP content of the diet and requires less nonsolar energy to deliver adequate standardized ileal digestible lysine than simply feeding soybean meal. Replacing soybean meal with full-fat soybeans is not energetically beneficial under Iowa conditions. Swine diets including dried distillers grains with solubles and crude glycerol require approximately 50% more nonsolar energy inputs than corn-soybean meal diets or corn-soybean meal diets including oats. This study provides essential information on cultivation, processing, and manufacture of swine feed ingredients in Iowa that can be coupled with other models to estimate the nonsolar energy use and 100-yr GWP of pig production.

Performance of gestating sows in bedded hoop barns and confinement stalls.

The effects of gestation housing systems on sow and litter performance were evaluated for 2.5 yr in southwest Iowa. Gestation housing system treatments were as follows: 1) individual gestation stalls in a mechanically ventilated confinement building with a partially slatted floor and a manure flush system and 2) group pens with individual feed stalls in deep-bedded, naturally ventilated hoop barns. In all, 957 litters from 353 sows were evaluated. Number of pigs born alive per litter differed for the 2 housing treatments (P = 0.002). Sows gestated in hoop barns gave birth to more live pigs per litter (10.0 +/- 0.2 pigs) than sows gestated in stalls (9.3 +/- 0.2 pigs). Preweaning mortality was not different for the 2 housing treatments (P = 0.70). Cross-fostering was done to equalize litter size within 24 h of birth, which resulted in an equal number of weaned pigs per sow (P = 0.50) regardless of gestation housing treatment. The weaning-to-breeding interval was different (P = 0.01), with sows kept in stalls (4.3 +/- 0.6 d) returning to estrus sooner than sows gestated in hoop barns (6.0 +/- 0.6 d). These results indicate that gestating sows can be housed as groups in deep-bedded hoop barns equipped with individual feeding stalls and will perform comparably to gestating sows housed in confinement systems with individual gestation stalls.

Performance of finishing pigs in hoop structures and confinement during winter and summer.

Performance of finishing pigs in hoop structures or confinement during winter and summer was evaluated in Iowa. Hoops are large, tent-like shelters with cornstalks or straw for bedding. During summer and winter seasons for 3 yr (1998 to 2001), six trials were conducted using three hoop barns (designed for 150 pigs per pen, one pen per hoop) or a mechanically ventilated confinement barn with slatted floors (designed for 22 pigs per pen, six pens in the barn). A total of 3,518 pigs started the trials. Summer trials were June through October, and winter trials were December through April. Target stocking density was 1.11 m2/pig in hoops and 0.74 m2/pig in confinement. Identical corn-based diets were fed ad libitum from 16 to 118 kg for 127 d. Pigs were scanned before harvest for backfat and loin muscle area. When seasons were merged (season x housing interaction, P > or = 0.05), hoop-fed pigs had more backfat (21.8 +/- 0.3 vs 20.8 +/- 0.2 mm; P < 0.001), smaller loin muscle area (41.3 +/- 0.3 vs 43.0 +/- 0.2 cm2; P < 0.001), less lean percentage (51.1 +/- 0.2 vs 52.1 +/- 0.1%; P < 0.001), and less yield (74.9 vs 75.8 +/- 0.1%; P < 0.001) than confinement-fed pigs. When season x housing type interactions were observed (P < 0.004), summer hoop-fed pigs had greater ADG (834 +/- 5 vs 802 +/- 3 g/d; P < 0.001), required fewer days to 113 kg (174.9 +/- 0.9 vs 178.5 +/- 0.6 d; P < 0.01), had similar ADFI (2.40 +/- 0.03 vs 2.35 +/- 0.02 kg/d, as-fed basis) and gain:feed (G:F; 348 +/- 4 vs 342 +/- 3 g/kg) compared with confinement-fed pigs. Lean gain/day and efficiency of lean gain did not differ between housing systems. During winter, hoop-fed pigs had similar ADG (794 +/- 5 vs 801 +/- 3 g/ d), required more days to 113 kg (176.7 +/- 0.9 vs 172.9 +/- 0.6 d; P < 0.01), had greater ADFI (2.54 +/- 0.03 vs 2.35 +/- 0.02; P < 0.001), less G:F (313 +/- 4 vs 341 +/- 3; P < 0.001), less lean gain/day (312 +/- 2 vs 322 +/- 1 g/d; P < 0.01), and less efficiency of lean gain (130 +/- 2 vs 144 +/- 1 g lean gain/kg feed; P < 0.01) than confinement-fed pigs. Percentage of mortalities and culls did not differ between housing systems. During summer, there was a trend for fewer light pigs at marketing (< 100 kg) from hoops (0.8 vs 1.7%; P = 0.10). During winter, there were more light pigs at marketing from hoops (3.9 vs 1.3%; P = 0.01) than from confinement. Bedding use in hoops was 92 and 122 kg/pig for summer and winter, respectively. Performance of finishing pigs in bedded hoop structures depends in part on thermal environment.

Pretreatment with finasteride decreases perioperative bleeding associated with transurethral resection of the prostate.

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of finasteride in the treatment of gross hematuria associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia is well established. We evaluated a regimen of pretreatment with finasteride in decreasing perioperative bleeding associated with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS: A prospective analysis compared 25 patients pretreated with finasteride for 2 to 4 months before TURP with 50 patients without pretreatment. Patients in each group were further separated by the amount of prostate tissue resected. Patients were then followed up for perioperative bleeding, defined as a perioperative blood transfusion requirement or a return visit to the emergency room with gross hematuria or clot retention. RESULTS: None of the patients with less than 30 g of prostate tissue resected experienced perioperative bleeding. In patients with 30 g or more resected, several episodes of bleeding occurred. In the patients pretreated with finasteride, 1 (8.3%) of 12 experienced perioperative bleeding; in the control group, 7 (36.8%) of 19 had an episode of bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with large prostate glands undergoing TURP, pretreatment with finasteride appears useful in reducing perioperative bleeding.

Role of urologic evaluation in the adult spina bifida patient.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a population of adult spina bifida patients performing clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and determine the indications for urologic consultation and intervention. METHODS: We evaluated 52 adults (ages 18-37 years) with a history of lumbar myelomeningocele, all of whom performed CIC and were dry between catheterizations. We excluded 12 patients with conditions potentially predisposing to renal insufficiency (staghorn calculus, n = 3; multiple admissions for pyelonephritis, n = 5; history of vesicoureteral reflux, n = 2, and renal scarring on ultrasound, n = 2), leaving 40 patients evaluable. Each patient kept a catheterization diary for 2 weeks from which an average catheterized volume was recorded. RESULTS: In patients with normal ultrasound and normal serum creatinine (<1.5 mg/dl), there were no individuals (0/20) whose average catheterized volume corresponded to a bladder pressure of >40 cm H(2)O on cystometry. However, in the patients with hydronephrosis and/or elevated creatinine, 30% (6/20) had average catheterized volumes corresponding to a bladder pressure of >40 cm H(2)O, and are therefore theoretically at risk for upper tract deterioration. CONCLUSION: Many spina bifida patients receive urologic care only as children, and those without urinary calculi or urinary incontinence are assumed to be urologically stable. However, certain patients have urodynamic parameters which put them at risk for renal deterioration even if they appear to be problem-free. We recommend a yearly renal ultrasound and serum creatinine determination in all adult spina bifida patients with immediate urologic consultation and urodynamics if either is abnormal.

Stuttering priapism in a liver transplant patient with toxic levels of fk506.

This is the first report of stuttering priapism in a liver transplant patient with toxic levels of the immunosuppressive agent FK506. To date, stuttering priapism has only been reported in patients with sickle cell disease and is not currently listed in the toxicity profile of FK506 or cyclosporine, a drug with a similar mechanism of action. The erections resolved when the FK506 levels normalized. We review the possible mechanisms by which FK506 may have caused these erections.

Evaluation of immunocompetency in juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis.

The morbidity from juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis (JLP), a disease process characterized by recurrent growth of multiple epithelial papillomas, has greatly improved with the advent of immunomodulating agents used in combination with the surgical approach of CO2 laser vaporization. In prospectively evaluating the immunologic status of four pediatric patients with this disorder, one patient repeatedly demonstrated IgG2 subclass deficiency. One of two children found to have subnormal functional natural killer (NK) activity received thrice weekly intramuscular administration of 3,000,000 units/m2 body surface area of human leukocyte (alpha) interferon (IFN). Natural killer function normalized, but therapy was discontinued after 4 months; however, no clinical benefits from IFN administration were observed. Further in vitro evaluation of NK function and lymphokine production is needed, in order eventually to offer more effective immunomodulating agents to such patients. A brief review of the literature concerning JLP is also presented.

Sleep apnea: morbidity and mortality of surgical treatment.

We have analyzed the complications in 132 patients who had surgical treatment of sleep apnea or excessive snoring. In this series there were 34 (26%) complications and two patients (1.5%) died. Complications related to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in 126 patients included rhinolalia (2%) and oropharyngeal hemorrhage (6%). In the 41 patients who had tracheostomy, complications included hemorrhage from tracheostomy (5%), tracheomalacia (5%), peristomal infection (15%), tracheostomy tube intolerance (Montgomery tube 100%, Shiley tube 7%), pneumonia (2%), hypoxia necessitating emergency tracheotomy (2%), and other perioperative complications.

Therapeutic effect of posture in sleep apnea.

Four patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea were monitored first in the supine posture to establish a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (apnea indices 33, 12, 22, 36). A second polysomnogram, obtained while the patients slept in the lateral posture, showed a dramatic decrease in apnea (apnea indices 5, 0, 0.2, and 0) and snoring. Each patient had an enlarged uvula, which moved to the side in the lateral posture. We conclude that sleeping in the lateral posture may be therapeutic in some patients with obstructive sleep apneas.

Subglottic foreign bodies in pediatric patients.

Impacted subglottic foreign bodies may produce upper airway obstruction and clinical signs simulating croup or asthma. We identified the roentgenologic and clinical features in six patients. In four of these patients, the parent had not observed the aspiration episode, so that the diagnosis was delayed. Roentgenologic studies demonstrated subglottic narrowing of the upper airway with a homogeneous, poorly defined radiodensity within the narrowed segment. These roentgenologic studies are usually diagnostic; therefore, if infants or young children present with stridor of undetermined cause, soft-tissue upper airway roentgenography is indicated.

Uvulopalatoplasty and obstructive sleep apnea.

We present results of uvulopalatoplasty (UPP) in 22 patients with obstructive sleep apnea who had preoperative and postoperative polysomnograms. Symptomatic improvement in daytime somnolence, snoring, and quality of sleep was reported by 20 patients. After operation, ten of 22 patients had more than a 50% improvement in the apnea index and apnea/sleep percentage, and the number of apneas, apnea index, apnea/sleep percentage, apneic duration, lowest oxygen saturation and longest apneas were significantly better (P less than .05). In the remaining 12 patients there was significant improvement in only the lowest oxygen saturation and longest apneic duration categories. We conclude that UPP is an effective alternative to tracheostomy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea; we observed symptomatic improvement in 91%, objective improvement in 46%, and cure in 36% of the patients. Because of the discordance in subjective improvement and objective assessment, we believe all patients should have follow-up polysomnograms after UPP.

Cisplatin and doxorubicin. An effective chemotherapy combination in the treatment of advanced basal cell and squamous carcinoma of the skin.

Eleven patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin were treated with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II (cisplatin) and doxorubicin. Seven patients had prior surgery and six of these seven had prior radiation therapy. All patients had an adequate trial of chemotherapy. One patient received a second course of chemotherapy after relapse. Responses were seen in 10 of 12 (87%) of chemotherapy courses, and 5 of 11 patients (46%) have an unmaintained complete remission lasting 2 to 31 months. Toxicity was acceptable and consisted primarily of gastrointestinal side effects. These results indicate the combination of cisplatin and doxorubicin has significant activity in both advanced BCC and SCC of the skin. In addition, a portion of patients treated with the combination achieve a long-term unmaintained disease-free state.

Liposarcoma of the larynx.

To our knowledge, only seven cases of laryngeal liposarcoma have been reported in the English language literature. We add an eighth case and review the other seven cases. Our patient presented with a pedunculated mass arising from the left aryepiglottic fold and obstructing both the larynx and pharynx. The lesion has recurred locally three times in a period of four years. We discuss pathologic findings and management of this patient.

Cervical spine hemangiomas: report of a case.

A cervical spine hemangioma in a 32-year-old woman is reported. Because of herniation of the mass between the deep muscles of the posterior triangle, the clinical differential diagnosis was confusing. The lesion required a two-stage procedure in conjunction with neurosurgical evaluation for total removal. The amount of bone destruction of the spine and exact location of the lesion are graphically displayed in a computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck. An arteriogram showing partial occlusion of the vertebral artery and a myelogram displaying extrinsic spinal cord compression, along with the CT scan, showed the full extent of the lesion.