Search

SUMMARY One hundred patients in a state of chronic renal failure have been studied, to determine the degree of renal impairment when infusion pyelography fails to be of diagnostic value, using the serum creatinine and blood urea concentration as an index of renal function., The critical level of the serum creatinine is 5.0 mg./100 ml., and the blood urea 130 mg./100 ml. Up to these levels the whole urinary tract from the calyces of the kidney to the bladder can usually be displayed, and a distinction made between the obstructed and the non-obstructed kidney, a crucial problem. Above the critical levels no useful result can be expected, though in 2 patients with blood urea values greater than 250 mg./100 ml. there was sufficient contrast filling in the collective system to make a confident diagnosis., The critical levels of blood urea and creatinine are much higher (and hence greater renal damage) using drip infusion pyelography as compared with the standard i.v.p., In patients with severe renal disease the nephrogram may still afford information of diagnostic value when the pyelogram is absent, or when contrast filling of the collecting system is poor. Despite the low contrast concentration, it is often possible, with the use of tomography, to make important observations on renal size and exclude a treatable obstructive lesion of the urinary tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the taste preference of calves fed Chlorella sp. microalgae produced from dairy lagoon wastewater. Six Holstein dairy heifer calves that were 12 to 14 wk of age (107 ± 3.8 kg of body weight) were fed 0 (control), 30, or 60 g of Chlorella sp. daily, and all calves were fed all treatments in a sequential elimination study. For the 7-d experiment, d 1 to 2 were for diet adaptation and d 3 to 4 were for data collection. During the final 3 d, the primary consumed treatment was removed to determine the second preferred treatment. Calves were ranked for total intake from the consumption of all treatments. The microalgae product used in this study was isolated from dairy wastewater lagoon, and microalgae biomass was produced using outdoor hanging bag bioreactors with Chlorella sp. to recycle the wastewater. The biomass was sterilized and kept frozen at -4°C until fed to calves. Calves were housed individually in hutches with outdoor access under solar panels, with free-choice water. Calves consumed more dry matter from control calf starter (3.4 kg/d) than from the starter with 30 g (2.42 kg/d) or 60 g (1.56 kg/d) of microalgae during the first 2-d period. During the second 2-d period (d 3 and 4), dry matter intake was reduced for the 60 g/d microalgae starter compared with the control and 30 g/d microalgae starters. Five of 6 calves in this study always ranked the control treatment first when given a choice and ranked the 30 g of microalgae starter second choice. Results indicated that microalgae may be added to calf starter; however, calves preferred calf starter without microalgae., (© 2020 The Authors.)

We have measured the activity of the spindle checkpoint in null mutants lacking kinetochore activity in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We constructed deletion mutants for nonessential genes by one-step gene replacements. We constructed heterozygous deletions of one copy of essential genes in diploid cells and purified spores containing the deletion allele. In addition, we made gene fusions for three essential genes to target the encoded proteins for proteolysis (degron alleles). We determined that Ndc10p, Ctf13p, and Cep3p are required for checkpoint activity. In contrast, cells lacking Cbf1p, Ctf19p, Mcm21p, Slk19p, Cse4p, Mif2p, Mck1p, and Kar3p are checkpoint proficient. We conclude that the kinetochore plays a critical role in checkpoint signaling in S. cerevisiae. Spindle checkpoint activity maps to a discreet domain within the kinetochore and depends on the CBF3 protein complex.

Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease with a variety of clinical presentations. The purpose of our study was to review representative cases of scleroderma in childhood to determine the initial presentation, course of the disease, orthopaedic manifestations, and the necessity and success of surgical intervention. Records from the four medical centers were retrospectively reviewed to identify the patients who were diagnosed with scleroderma over the past 35 years. Data on disease presentation, course, treatment, and response were collected. Seventeen cases representing the variety of clinical presentations are presented. Scleroderma characteristically presents with asymmetric lesions involving the extremities and remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Treatment must be individualized to the patient and his or her specific limitations brought about by the disease. Early diagnosis, supportive care, and physical therapy combined with early orthopaedic surgical intervention to release joint contractures are among the most efficacious treatments.

Arthroscopic subacromial decompression has become an accepted treatment for patients with impingement syndrome; however, its use for full-thickness rotator cuff tears is controversial. We observed 25 patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears treated by arthroscopic subacromial decompression and cuff debridement alone with a minimum of 1 year follow-up observation. Based on the University of California at Los Angeles shoulder rating, 84% of the cases were rated as excellent or good. There was significant improvement in pain, function, motion, and strength. Eighty-eight percent of the patients were satisfied with the procedure. Although all tear sizes improved significantly, smaller tears fared better than larger tears. The preliminary results of arthroscopic subacromial decompression with cuff debridement compare favorably to open techniques of rotator cuff repair with or without acromioplasty and should be considered in selected patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

A case of bilateral osteochondral flaps of the wrists in a competitive weight lifter is presented. Diagnosis and treatment were both provided by wrist arthroscopy. osteochondral flaps should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic wrist pain.