Maximizing the performance of heat stressed broilers by optimizing starch-to-lipid ratios, digestible amino acid, and metabolizable energy during the finisher phase.

This study investigated the effects and interactions among diets formulated to have high starch-to-lipid ratios (S:L), amino acid density [indicated as % digestible lysine (DigLys)], and AME on growth performance and carcass characteristics of heat stressed broilers. A {3,3} simplex lattice design was used to assess relative effects and generate predictive models. Three basal finisher diets were formulated to have the highest S:L ratio (Basal A; 20:1), DigLys (Basal B; 1.

Research Note: Validation of a low-cost accelerometer to measure physical activity in 30 to 32-d-old male Ross 708 broilers.

Poultry activity measurements are often associated with expensive equipment or time-consuming behavior observations. Since low-cost accelerometers are available, the current study validated the FitBark (FitBark 2, FitBark Inc., Kansas City, MO) accelerometer for use on 30 to 32-d-old male Ross 708 broilers.

Lymphomatoid papulosis type D: a newly described variant easily confused with cutaneous aggressive CD8-positive cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma.

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is defined as a chronic recurrent skin disease characterized by waxing and waning papules and nodules with histologic features of a CD30-positive T-cell lymphoma. Three histological subtypes (A, B, and C) were already recognized, and only more recently, a further variant simulating histologically an aggressive epidermotropic CD8-positive T-cell lymphoma was described, which was named LyP type D by the authors. We report the case of a 38-year-old woman presenting with a 1-year history of recurrent self-healing papules and nodules, predominantly affecting her upper and lower limbs but also the face, including the lower lip, with no associated systemic symptoms.

Treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with methotrexate therapy for psoriasis.

Background: The conventional treatments for gastrointestinal symptoms associated with methotrexate therapy for psoriasis are unsatisfactory.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the frequency, severity, and dose-relationship of gastrointestinal symptoms induced by methotrexate therapy for psoriasis and the response to folate supplementation.

Methods: Seventy-eight patients with psoriasis receiving low-dose, once-weekly oral methotrexate therapy were studied for the development of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Linear IgA disease with haemorrhagic pompholyx and dapsone-induced neutropenia.

A case of haemorrhagic pompholyx occurring in a 29-year-old man with linear IgA disease is described. There were several features in our patient that are usually seen in chronic bullous disease of childhood. Treatment with dapsone cleared the eruption but induced a progressive yet reversible neutropenia.

Prolonged survival in metastatic malignant melanoma associated with vitiligo.

A metastatic malignant melanoma presenting with axillary lymphadenopathy and without a detectable primary lesion is described in a 66-year-old woman. Extensive vitiligo developed 6 years after this diagnosis. There has been no recurrence of melanoma for 10 years following surgical resection of the lymph nodes.

Bleomycin-induced flagellate erythema.

A 56-year-old woman who developed widespread pruritus and flagellate erythema after attempted pleuredesis with bleomycin is described. The raised linear lesions of flagellate erythema could not be reproduced by scratching, and histopathological examination revealed a lymphocytic vasculitis. The rash faded spontaneously over several weeks to leave streaks of post-inflammatory melanoderma which remained for 6 months.

Basal-cell carcinoma complicating a port-wine stain.

A rare radio-resistant basal-cell carcinoma is described which presented as a recently enlarged non-ulcerated nodule on a port-wine stain. The literature on basal-cell carcinoma occurring on a port-wine stain is reviewed, and the aetiological significance of thorium-X, sun-exposure and vascular changes in the development of malignancy on this type of haemangioma is discussed.

Perianal streptococcal cellulitis with penile involvement.

Perianal streptococcal cellulitis is described occurring in a 5-year-old boy. The condition also involved the penis and presented as a possible case of sexual abuse. The correct diagnosis was established by culturing beta-haemolytic streptococci group A from the penile and perianal skin.

Discoid lupus erythematosus associated with hereditary angioneurotic oedema.

A female patient developed discoid lupus erythematosus 6 years after the onset of hereditary angioneurotic oedema. Treatment with danazol for 18 months cleared both conditions and was well tolerated.

Paracetamol-induced fixed drug eruption with positive immunofluorescence findings.

A 93-year-old woman with an 8-year history of episodes of fixed drug eruption due to paracetamol is described. The rash was characterized by bullae, crusted lesions, hyperpigmented and erythematous patches as well as lesions resembling toxic epidermal necrolysis. Direct immunofluorescence revealed deposition of IgG and C3 in the epidermal intercellular cement substance of lesional skin only; the pathogenetic significance of this finding is discussed.

Thyroid function tests in amyloid goitre.

We present two patients with amyloid goitre due to primary systemic amyloidosis which was confirmed at post-mortem. Both were clinically euthyroid but had hyperthyroxinaemia and other thyroid function tests suggestive of thyrotoxicosis.

Occupational dermatitis from Synacril Red 3b liquid (CI Basic Red 22).

A carpet factory worker, exposed to a number of different dyes, developed a severe hand dermatitis. The handling of warm, wet and freshly-dyed yarn with unprotected hands was thought to have caused the onset of dermatitis. Patch testing indicated that the patient was sensitive to only one of the dyes handled, namely Synacril Red 3B liquid, which is based on the single dyestuff Basic Red 22 (CI 11055).

Cryotherapy for multiple trichoepithelioma.

Multiple trichoepithelioma is an uncommon disorder for which treatment is usually bedeviled by the recurrence of tumors. A case of multiple trichoepithelioma is described occurring in the retroauricular area; the condition cleared completely and without relapse following cryotherapy.

Intestinal folate absorption in methotrexate treated psoriatic patients.

Thirty-one psoriatic patients 14 of whom were being treated with methotrexate (MTX), participated in a controlled study to evaluate the influence of MTX therapy on the intestinal absorption of folate. Low serum and red cell folate levels in the MTX treated group confirmed previously reported findings. However, analysis of the intestinal absorption profile yielded no significant difference between the two groups.

Metastatic Crohn's disease responding to metronidazole.

Metastatic Crohn's disease is a rare cutaneous manifestation of intestinal Crohn's disease, for which existing treatment is unsatisfactory. We report a case of perianal and vulval Crohn's disease which cleared completely on a 4-month course of metronidazole without adverse effects. The patient remained in remission I year later.