LAMS use in malignant stricture of duodenal apex with synchronous malignant biliary obstruction: a potentially effective and simpler endoscopic approach.

We report the first case of lumen apposing metal stent (LAMS) use in malignant stricture of the duodenal apex to treat gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) and to facilitate endoscopic retrograde management of synchronous malignant biliary obstruction due to pancreatic head adenocarcinoma. This technique may be an effective alternative and a simpler approach than current methodology to this endoscopically challenging condition.

Life cycle assessment of wheat production and wheat-based crop rotations.

In the northern Great Plains (NGP), wheat is the primary grain commodity. There is a need for the NGP to have a detailed analysis of environmental impacts for wheat-based agricultural production systems to better understand regional agroecosystems. This article provides a cradle-to-field gate life cycle assessment (LCA) for NGP dryland wheat (Triticum aestivum L.

Uncertainty and variability in laboratory derived sorption parameters of sediments from a uranium in situ recovery site.

This research assesses the ability of a GC SCM to simulate uranium transport under variable geochemical conditions typically encountered at uranium in-situ recovery (ISR) sites. Sediment was taken from a monitoring well at the SRH site at depths 192 and 193 m below ground and characterized by XRD, XRF, TOC, and BET. Duplicate column studies on the different sediment depths, were flushed with synthesized restoration waters at two different alkalinities (160 mg/l CaCO and 360 mg/l CaCO) to study the effect of alkalinity on uranium mobility.

Potential water resource impacts of hydraulic fracturing from unconventional oil production in the Bakken shale.

Modern drilling techniques, notably horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, have enabled unconventional oil production (UOP) from the previously inaccessible Bakken Shale Formation located throughout Montana, North Dakota (ND) and the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The majority of UOP from the Bakken shale occurs in ND, strengthening its oil industry and businesses, job market, and its gross domestic product. However, similar to UOP from other low-permeability shales, UOP from the Bakken shale can result in environmental and human health effects.

Eco-Efficiency Model for Evaluating Feedlot Rations in the Great Plains, United States.

Environmental impacts attributable to beef feedlot production provide an opportunity for economically linked efficiency optimization. Eco-efficiency models are used to optimize production and processes by connecting and quantifying environmental and economic impacts. An adaptable, objective eco-efficiency model was developed to assess the impacts of dietary rations on beef feedlot environmental and fiscal cost.

Batch anaerobic digestion of synthetic military base food waste and cardboard mixtures.

Austere US military bases typically dispose of solid wastes, including large fractions of food waste (FW) and corrugated cardboard (CCB), by open dumping, landfilling, or burning. Anaerobic digestion (AD) offers an opportunity to reduce pollution and recover useful energy. This study aimed to evaluate the rates and yields of AD for FW-CCB mixtures.

Life-Cycle Assessment of Oilseeds for Biojet Production Using Localized Cold-Press Extraction.

As nonfood oilseed varieties are being rapidly developed, new varieties may affect agricultural production efficiency and life-cycle assessment results. Current, detailed feedstock production information is necessary to accurately assess impacts of the biofuel life-cycle. The life-cycle impacts of four nonfood oilseeds (carinata [ L.

Meta-Analysis of Soybean-based Biodiesel.

Biofuel policy changes in the United States have renewed interest in soybean [ (L.) Merr.] biodiesel.

Tillage and corn residue harvesting impact surface and subsurface carbon sequestration.

Corn stover harvesting is a common practice in the western U.S. Corn Belt.

Life Cycle Assessment modelling of stormwater treatment systems.

Stormwater treatment technologies to manage runoff during rain events are primarily designed to reduce flood risks, settle suspended solids and concurrently immobilise metals and nutrients. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is scarcely documented for stormwater systems despite their ubiquitous implementation. LCA modelling quantified the environmental impacts associated with the materials, construction, transport, operation and maintenance of different stormwater treatment systems.

Life-cycle assessment of the beef cattle production system for the northern great plains, USA.

A life-cycle assessment (LCA) model was developed to estimate the environmental impacts associated with four different U.S. Northern Great Plains (NPG) beef production systems.

Effects of chlortetracycline amended feed on anaerobic sequencing batch reactor performance of swine manure digestion.

The effects of antimicrobial chlortetracycline (CTC) on the anaerobic digestion (AD) of swine manure slurry using anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (ASBRs) was investigated. Reactors were loaded with manure collected from pigs receiving CTC and no-antimicrobial amended diets at 2.5 g/L/d.

Land application of tylosin and chlortetracycline swine manure: Impacts to soil nutrients and soil microbial community structure.

The land application of aged chortetracycle (CTC) and tylosin-containing swine manure was investigated to determine associated impacts to soil microbial respiration, nutrient (phosphorus, ammonium, nitrate) cycling, and soil microbial community structure under laboratory conditions. Two silty clay loam soils common to southeastern South Dakota were used. Aerobic soil respiration results using batch reactors containing a soil-manure mixture showed that interactions between soil, native soil microbial populations, and antimicrobials influenced CO(2) generation.

Impact of chlortetracycline on sequencing batch reactor performance for swine manure treatment.

Treatment of aged (500 day, 4°C stored) chlortetracycline (CTC; 0, 20, 40, 80 mg/L CTC)-amended swine manure using two cycle, 22 day stage anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (SBR) was assessed. Eighty milligrams per liter CTC treatment inhibited SBR treatment efficiencies, although total gas production was enhanced compared to the no-CTC treatment. The 20 and 40 mg/L CTC treatments resulted in either slight or no differences to SBR treatment efficiencies and microbial diversities compared to the no-CTC treatment, and were generally similar to no-CTC treatments upon completion of the first 22 day SBR cycle.

Influence of physiochemical and watershed characteristics on mercury concentration in Walleye, Sander vitreus, M.

Elevated mercury concentration has been documented in a variety of fish and is a growing concern for human consumption. Here, we explore the influence of physiochemical and watershed attributes on mercury concentration in walleye (Sander vitreus, M.) from natural, glacial lakes in South Dakota.

Tylosin and chlortetracycline effects during swine manure digestion: influence of sodium azide.

The antibiotics tylosin and chlortetracycline (CTC), which are commonly used in pig production, were studied to determine their effects on swine manure digestion in the presence and absence of biocide sodium azide. CTC enhanced initial hydrolysis reactions through volatile suspended solids production, while inhibiting methane and carbon dioxide production. Tylosin did not affect methane and carbon dioxide production; however, the relative abundance of both hydrogen utilizing and acetate-only utilizing microbial populations was significantly compromised.

Directional fluid flow enhances in vitro periosteal tissue growth and chondrogenesis on poly-epsilon-caprolactone scaffolds.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of directional fluid flow on periosteal chondrogenesis. Periosteal explants were harvested from 2-month-old rabbits and sutured onto poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds with the cambium layer facing away from the scaffolds. The periosteum/PCL composites were cultured in suspension in spinner flask bioreactors and exposed to various fluid flow velocities: 0, 20, 60, and 150 rpm for 4 h each day for 6 weeks.

Effect of antimicrobial compounds tylosin and chlortetracycline during batch anaerobic swine manure digestion.

Tylosin and chlortetracycline (CTC) are antimicrobial chemicals that are fed to >45% of the US swine herds at therapeutic and sub-therapeutic dosages to enhance growth rates and treat swine health problems. These compounds are poorly absorbed during digestion so that the bioactive compound or metabolites are excreted. This study investigated the degradation and stabilization of swine manure that contained no additives and compared the observed processes with those of manure containing either tylosin or CTC.

Effect of natural organic matter on zinc inhibition of hematite bioreduction by Shewanella putrefaciens CN32.

The effect of zinc on the biological reduction of hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) by the dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterium (DMRB) Shewanella putrefaciens CN32 was studied in the presence of four natural organic materials (NOMs). Experiments were performed under non-growth conditions with H2 as the electron donor and zinc inhibition was quantified as the decrease in the 5 d extent of hematite bioreduction as compared to no-zinc controls. Every NOM was shown to significantly increase zinc inhibition during hematite bioreduction.

A new alloantigen-independent control for chronic allograft nephropathy rat models.

Background: Isografts are used as controls in many transplant experiments. Our laboratory and others have noticed histological changes in control isograft groups of rats similar to allograft groups, suggesting alloantigen-independent factors contributing to chronic allograft nephropathy. However, the isograft model as a nonalloantigen control is flawed because of the potential of unrecognized minor antigen differences between rats.

Living donor liver transplant with clinical tolerance, laboratory evidence of chimerism, and spontaneous clearance of HBV.

We present a case of functional and histopathologic tolerance, chimerism, and spontaneous clearance of HBV in a patient four years after living donor liver transplant (LDLT). A 19-year-old male patient underwent a LDLT for HBV cirrhosis. He voluntarily ceased immunosuppression and antiviral therapy after 6 months.

Four-year follow-up of a prospective randomized trial of mycophenolate mofetil with cyclosporine microemulsion or tacrolimus following liver transplantation.

Background: This is a 4-yr follow-up of a trial using mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) induction in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The goal of this study was to evaluate a multidrug approach that would reduce both early and long-term morbidity related to immunosuppression while maintaining an acceptable freedom from rejection.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, intent to treat study designed to compare the primary endpoints of rejection and infection, and secondary endpoints of liver function, renal function, bone marrow function, cardiovascular risk factors, and the recurrence of hepatitis C.

Correlation between rotator cuff tear and glenohumeral degeneration.

We studied the occurrence and correlation between a rotator cuff tear and glenohumeral degeneration. 44 cadaveric shoulders (22 right) were obtained from 32 subjects (18 females), mean age 73 (62-86) years and without a history of systemic diseases. Rotator cuffs were exposed and tear size (14 shoulders) was measured after removal of soft tissue and deltoid.