Evaluation of a biological risk management tool on large western United States dairies.

Critical to changing biosecurity practices on the farm is an individual assessment of those practices contributing to disease transmission. The purpose of this project was to assess, implement, and refine a biological risk management survey for use on large western United States dairy farms. Assessment tools developed by Iowa State University Center for Food Security and Public Health (Ames, IA) were refined using a focus group process and by testing them on 40 dairy herds in California. Each question was evaluated using standard criteria and producer responses. Some survey questions required refinement for clarity and others were considered unnecessary. New questions were added based on a biosecurity literature review, resulting in a new set of questions that can be used by extension educators and food animal veterinarians to help identify disease risk areas and educate dairy producers.

The cyclooxygenase inhibitor ibuprofen and the FLAP inhibitor MK886 inhibit pancreatic carcinogenesis induced in hamsters by transplacental exposure to ethanol and the tobacco carcinogen NNK.

PURPOSE: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and women. Smoking is a documented risk factor for pancreatic cancer, and the risk is increased in smokers who also consume alcohol. Arachidonic acid (AA)-metabolizing enzymes have been implicated in aggressive clinical behavior of pancreatic cancer while mutations in the Ki- ras gene have been associated with prolonged survival and responsiveness to therapy. Using a hamster model of exocrine pancreatic cancer induced by transplacental exposure to ethanol and the tobacco-carcinogen NNK, we have analyzed these tumors for mutations in the ras and p53 genes and tested the modulating effects of the COX inhibitor, ibuprofen, and the FLAP inhibitor, MK886, on the development of pancreatic cancer in this animal model. METHODS: Hamsters were given 10% ethanol in the drinking water from the fifth to the last day of their pregnancy and a single dose of NNK on the last day. Starting at 4 weeks of age, groups of offspring were given either the COX inhibitor ibuprofen (infant Motrin oral suspension) or the FLAP-inhibitor MK886 (dissolved in carboxymethylcellulose orally) for life while a group of offspring not receiving any treatment served as positive controls. RESULTS: None of the induced pancreatic cancers demonstrated mutations in the Ki-, N-, or H- ras or p53 genes. The development of pancreatic cancer in offspring who had been given ibuprofen or MK886 was reduced by 50% or 30%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In conjunction with the documented over-expression of COX-2 and LOX in human pancreatic cancer, our findings suggest an important role of the AA-cascade in the genesis of this cancer type and indicate that pharmacological or dietary measures that reduce AA-metabolism may be useful for the prevention and clinical management of pancreatic cancer.

Beta-adrenergic growth regulation of human cancer cell lines derived from pancreatic ductal carcinomas.

Exocrine ductal carcinoma of the pancreas has been associated with smoking, and the tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) causes this cancer type in laboratory rodents. Current knowledge on the growth regulation of this malignancy is extremely limited. Recent studies have shown overexpression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-lipox) in exocrine pancreatic carcinomas, suggesting a potential role of the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade in the regulation of this cancer type. In support of this interpretation, our data show high basal levels of AA release in two human cell lines derived from exocrine ductal pancreatic carcinomas. Both cell lines expressed m-RNA for beta2-adrenergic receptors and beta1-adrenergic receptors. Radio-receptor assays showed that beta2-adrenergic receptors predominated over beta1-adrenergic receptors. beta2-Adrenergic antagonist ICI118,551 significantly reduced basal AA release and DNA synthesis when the cells were maintained in complete medium. DNA synthesis of the cell line (Panc-1) with an activating point mutation in codon 12 of the ki-ras gene was significantly stimulated by NNK when cells were maintained in complete medium and this response was inhibited by the beta-blocker ICI118,551, the COX-inhibitor aspirin, or the 5-lipox-inhibitor MK-886. The cell line without ras mutations (BXPC-3) did not show a significant response to NNK in complete medium. When the assays were conducted in serum-free medium, both cell lines demonstrated increased DNA synthesis in response to NNK, an effect inhibited by the beta2-blocker, aspirin, or MK-886. Panc-1 cells were more sensitive to the stimulating effects of NNK and less responsive to the inhibitors than BXPC-3 cells. Our findings are in accord with a recent report which has identified NNK as a beta-adrenergic agonist and suggest beta-adrenergic, AA-dependent regulatory pathways in pancreatic cancer as a novel target for cancer intervention strategies.

Low levels of expression of cytochromes P-450 in normal and cancerous fetal pancreatic tissues of hamsters treated with NNK and/or ethanol.

Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that administration of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) to pregnant hamsters results in tumors in the offspring. Whereas treatment with NNK alone caused mainly tumors in the respiratory tract of the treated offspring, cotreatment with ethanol (EtOH) and NNK shifted the site of tumor formation to the pancreas. In order to determine potential mechanisms for the cocarcinogenic effects of EtOH, the levels of NNK metabolites and expression of various CYPs implicated in the metabolic activation of NNK were determined in fetal liver and pancreas. NNK and its metabolite, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), were detected at low and variable levels in the fetal liver and pancreas, with an NNAL to NNK ratio greater than 20 in both organs. EtOH had no effect on the amount of metabolites found in either organ. Results obtained with the fetal liver samples, which served as a positive control, correlated very well with our previous studies demonstrating low levels of expression of several CYP isozymes at both the protein and RNA level. Western blot analysis showed low but detectable levels of CYP1A1, barely detectable levels of CYP2E1, and an absence of CYP1A2 and 2B family members in the fetal pancreas. RNA transcripts were undetectable by ribonuclease protection in the fetal pancreas, although readily seen in fetal liver samples. Treatment with NNK, EtOH, or both NNK and EtOH had small and variable effects on the levels of metabolism of NNK and expression of the isozymes. These findings suggest that alternative mechanisms may be responsible for transplacentally induced tumors in this model system.

Elder insecurities: poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.

Between 8% and 16% (2.5 to 4.9 million) of the elder population have experienced food insecurity within a 6-month period. Federal programs to combat food insecurity reach only one-third of needy elders. While hunger and poverty are linked directly to malnutrition, the multifaceted nature of elderly malnutrition cuts across all economic, racial, and ethnic groups. Malnourished patients experience 2 to 20 times more complications, have up to 100% longer hospital stays, and compile hospital costs $2,000 to $10,000 higher per stay. Dietitians can advocate routine nutrition screening to target elders at highest risk and lobby for expansion of appropriate nutrition services in home, community, and institutional settings.

Effects of chronic hormone replacement on the renin-angiotensin system in cynomolgus monkeys.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the effects of estrogen, estrogen combined with progestin, and no treatment in ovariectomized cynomolgus monkeys during long-term reproductive hormone replacement. METHODS: Forty-five surgically postmenopausal cynomolgus monkeys fed a lipid-lowering diet were administered a conjugated equine estrogen (Premarin, 7.2 micrograms/day for the first 8 months, then 166 micrograms/day for the remaining 22 months), alone or in combination with 650 micrograms/day medroxyprogesterone acetate (Cycrin) for 30 months, or left with no hormone replacement therapy. Animals were anesthetized with ketamine-pentobarbital, and samples were taken for measurements of plasma renin activity, angiotensin converting enzyme activity, and angiotensin peptides, angiotensin I (Ang I), angiotensin II (Ang II), and angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)]. RESULTS: Chronic replacement therapy with estrogen resulted in a significant elevation of the plasma renin activity [11.7 +/- 2.0 ng/ml per h control versus 22.8 +/- 4.6 ng/ml per h with estrogen (P < 0.05) versus 32.8 +/- 4.9 ng/ml per h with combination therapy (P < 0.01)], whereas estrogen or combination therapy caused a significant reduction in angiotensin converting enzyme activity [229 +/- 8 nmol/ml per min control versus 189 +/- 10 nmol/ml per min with estrogen (P < 0.05) versus 196 +/- 11 nmol/ml per min with combination therapy (P < 0.05)]. Both of these changes in angiotensin processing enzymes observed during replacement therapy resulted in significant increases in plasma Ang I levels [46.7 +/- 12.5 pg/ml control versus 175.5 +/- 65.9 pg/ml with estrogen (P < 0.05) and 561.7 +/- 373.6 pg/ml with combination therapy (P < 0.05)]. Plasma Ang II and Ang-(1-7) levels were not significantly changed. The mean blood pressure did not change with either treatment. CONCLUSION: These studies reveal that, although chronic estrogen replacement activates renin activity and Ang I, it causes a shift in the processing of angiotensin peptides such that the concurrent reduction in angiotensin converting enzyme activity leads to unchanged plasma Ang II levels. Thus, the potentially harmful effects of estrogen-induced hyperreninemia are balanced by its actions interfering with the formation of the vasoactive product Ang II.

Orbital plasmacytoma in a cat.

An Abyssinian cat presented with epistaxis, melaena and retinal vascular changes. Plasma protein levels were markedly elevated and a monoclonal gammopathy was present on serum protein electrophoresis. Based on these laboratory findings, hyperviscosity syndrome was assumed to be responsible for the clinical signs. The cat responded initially to fluid therapy, but relapsed and then developed unilateral exophthalmia. The animal was euthanased and an extramedullary plasmacytoma of the right orbit was diagnosed at postmortem examination.

Positive association between dietetics recommendations and achievement of enteral nutrition outcomes of care.

OBJECTIVE: To identify planned dietetics outcomes of care, dietitians activities performed an recommendations made, and outcome achievement and its relationship to recommendations followed. DESIGN: A multisite, single-group prospective pilot study was conducted to describe the care provided by dietitians to patients receiving enteral nutrition care. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Participants were 172 patients (16 of whom died during hospitalization) receiving at least 75% of nutrient requirements from enteral nutrition products. Subjects were from six acute-care facilities and one rehabilitation facility in the Chicago metropolitan area. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dietitians identified planned outcomes of care to be accomplished and documented activities performed during the provision of care. Data were collected to measure outcome achievement and to determine whether dietitians' recommendations were followed. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Descriptive data are reported as frequencies or means +/- standard error. Odds ratios were constructed to estimate the association between dietitians' enteral care recommendations and the achievement of planned outcomes of care. RESULTS: Whether or not enteral nutrition outcomes of care were achieved was positively associated with dietitians' recommendations. The odds of patients' achieving the recommended energy intake goal (P < .001) or increasing (P < .01) or maintaining (P < .04) visceral protein stores were at least four times greater when dietitians' recommendations were followed than when they were not. In addition, dietetics activities performed at the local level were similar to established practices. APPLICATIONS: Dietitians can identify and measure outcomes of dietetics-related care that demonstrate positive contributions to the interdisciplinary enteral nutrition care process.

Inversion of (R)- to (S)-ketoprofen in eight animal species.

The (R)-enantiomer of the NSAID ketoprofen was administered orally at 20 mg/kg to a series of 8 animal species. In all species, a highly significant degree of inversion occurred after 1 h which varied from 27% (gerbil) to 73% (dog) and persisted or increased in plasma samples obtained 3 h after drug administration. Although the (R)-enantiomer was inactive as an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, the analgesic effects of that isomer was almost the same as the (S)-isomer in animal analgesic assays, following oral administration of the drugs to mice and rats. Taken together, the present results suggest that (R)-ketoprofen administered alone functioned primarily as a prodrug for (S)-ketoprofen under the experimental conditions of this study.

Inpatient and post-discharge course of the malnourished patient.

A retrospective review of the medical records of 114 malnourished and 106 non-malnourished male veterans assessed the inpatient and 1 year post-discharge dietetic care given for the treatment of malnutrition. The malnourished sample consisted of subjects discharged with a protein-energy or protein malnutrition comorbidity. Subjects in the diagnosis-matched and age-matched control sample were discharged without a malnutrition comorbidity during the same period. Data collected from progress notes included diagnoses, inpatient dietetic feedings and services provided, discharge dietetic care, intervening clinic visits, and rehospitalizations. On initial admission, 79% of the diagnoses for the malnourished group fell into five diagnosis categories: neoplasms; respiratory system diseases; digestive system diseases; endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases; and mental disorders (including alcohol-related disorders). Malnourished subjects received more specialized feedings and dietetic services than did the controls on initial admission. However, the discharge and post-discharge care received by surviving members of both groups was similar. Fewer than half the members of either group received post-discharge care. Fifty-four malnourished and 54 control patients were hospitalized more than once. The findings indicate that levels of inpatient and outpatient dietetic care need to be coordinated to alleviate malnutrition.

Group Comparative Study of VRB-2 Agar in the Recovery of Coliforms from Raw Milk, Ice Cream and Cottage Cheese.

The method of Hartman et al. for recovering stressed coliform bacteria was evaluated in a group study. The experimental medium, VRB-2, was more productive than VRB medium by 31% for raw milk, 70% for ice cream and 61% for cottage cheese. Differences in colony counts of coliforms caused by incubating for 48 vs. 24 h and by boiling vs. autoclaving were not statistically significant. Among 40 samples tested in two laboratories, counts obtained at 30 vs. 32 C were not significantly different.