This report describes a case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus in a 66-year-old man treated by esophagogastrectomy. Radiographic, endoscopic, echoendoscopic and histological features are given and a short review of the literature is presented.

"Broiler-type" chickens are fast-grow-ing, heavy-bodied birds with high demands on bone quality. Phenamil increased mineralization in cultured murine mesenchymal stem cells. Phenamil effects were tested in 2 groups of weight and gender matched day-old broiler chickens (n = 13). Oral administration of 30 mg phenamil/kg body weight d 1 to 13 reduced growth of chicks d 5 to 14 (P = 0.002); with phenamil-treated (PT) chick body weight being 84% of vehicle-treated (VT) chicks' body weight on d 14. Tissues collected on d 15 showed that femur lengths and widths did not differ, but tibias from PT chicks were 6% shorter (P = 0.002) and 13% narrower (P = 0.012) with 18% thinner tibial cross-sections (P < 0.008) than in VT chicks. Angles of the caudal aspect of the anterior surface of keeled-sternums were 166° in PT chicks, flatter than the 148° found in VT chicks (P = 0.000). Total mineral content of both tibia and femur were lower in PT chicks (P = 0.005 for both). Bone Ca, P, and Mg (ppm) in ash were similar, but Ca:P was lower (1.70 vs 1.75) in PT versus VT chicks (P < 0.05). Osteocalcin was ∼20% lower (P = 0.020), PINP was ∼45% higher (P = 0.000) in PT chicks. Carboxy-terminal telopeptide type I collagen (ICTP) and cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX1) were similar in the 2 groups. Phenamil had unexpected and detrimental effects on bone formation in growing broiler chicks, reducing linear skeletal growth and markedly changing bone architecture.

Various proteins or protein fractions reportedly positively affect gastrointestinal integrity and inflammation in diets providing >45% energy as fat. This study tested whether benefits were seen in diets providing 30% of energy as fat. Purified diets (PD) with isolated soy protein (ISP), dried whole milk powder (DWMP), milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), or milk protein concentrate (MPC) as protein sources were fed to C57BL/6J mice (n = 15/diet group) for 13 weeks. MFGM-fed mice were heaviest (p < 0.005) but remained within breeder norms. Growth rates and gut motility were similar for all PD-fed mice. FITC-dextran assessed gut permeability was lowest in DWMP and MFGM (p = 0.054); overall, plasma endotoxin and unprovoked circulating cytokines indicated a non-inflammatory state for all PD-fed mice. Despite differences in cecal butyrate and intestinal gene expression, all PDs supported gastrointestinal health. Whole milk provided more positive effects compared to its fractions. However, ISP-fed mice showed a >370%, (p < 0.006) increase in colonic myeloperoxidase activity indicative of tissue neutrophil infiltration. Surprisingly, FITC-dextran and endotoxin outcomes were many folds better in PD-fed mice than mice (strain, vendor, age and sex matched) fed a “chow-type” nutritionally adequate non-PD. Additional variables within a diet’s matrix appear to affect routine indicators or gastrointestinal health.

Plant proteins are oft thought to confer health benefits over animal proteins. In a prior study, lipoprotein profiles improved and body weight gain reduced in mice fed milk protein rather than soy protein fed in a purified diet (PD) matrix. Non‐nutrient components such as fiber can alter macro‐ and micro‐nutrient utilization; this study tested the effect of dietary matrix on lipoprotein profiles, fecal lipids and bile acids. Weanling C57Bl/6 mice (n=15/diet) were fed either PD containing isolated soy protein (ISP) or dried whole milk powder (DWMP) as the protein source, or natural ingredient diets (NID) containing soybean meal (SPC), or dried whole milk powder (DMC) as protein sources in a 14 wk feeding trial. Diets provided 50%EN CHO, 20% PRO, 30% FAT. ISP & DWMP provided 14% neutral detergent fiber primarily from cellulose, while SPC & DMC contained 11.4% and 8.4% NDF, respectively, from wheat mids, corn, corn gluten meal and soybean meal (SPC only). Terminal measures: bodyweight, lipoprotein density distribution (https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638718793677), and fecal fatty acids (FA), sterols, primary (PBA) and secondary (SBA) bile acids by IS‐controlled GC/MS. Values are means with differences tested by one‐way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD. Energy intake was similar among groupsaveraging 12 kcal/day. Diet Weight, g Fatty acids mg/mg feces Fecal content / 48 hours Body, final Feces, 48h Sterols, mg (%phyto‐) Bile acids, ug Primary Secondary ISP 35.0a 1.14a 17.6b 2.66c(52.6%) 378b 426a DWMP 31.9ab 1.22a 14.8b 1.87d(31.7%) 510ab 370ab SPC 28.8b 0.88b 39.7a 4.82a(68.6%) 398b 295bc DMC 29.7b 0.66c 31.1a 3.69b(60.1%) 551a 263c Mice fed ISP & DWMP were heavier than SPC & DMC fed mice (p<0.001). ISP‐fed mice were heaviest (p<0.0002 vs. SPC & DMC). SPC & DMC excreted 46.0 ug fecal FA/mg feces, 3‐fold greater than the 13.5 ug fecal FA/mg feces excreted by ISP&DWMP (p<0.000). Total fecal FA excretion in 48h was ≤ 1 kcal; unable to account for differences in body weight. Total fecal sterol excretion was 1.9‐fold greater in NID vs PD, p<0.0001. Phytosterols comprised a greater fraction of fecal sterols in NID that in PD; soy diets (ISP & SPC) excreted 2.5 and 1.5‐fold more than dairy protein comparators. Zoosterols were increased 17% in NID fed mice (1.49 mg avg) compared to PD mice (1.27 mg avg) and unaffected by phytosterols. Bile acid excretion in DWMP was 9% greater than ISP, and DMC was 17% greater than SPC. Secondary bile acids avg 22.4% lower in mice fed milk‐based diets compared to soy. When expressed as % of total, PBAs were highest in NIDs (61.0 vs 50.7%, p<0.0002), whereas SBAs were lower compared to purified diets (38.3 vs 48.4%, p<0.0002). Compared to all other diets, mice fed ISP had a 30% increase in small, dense LDL (d=1.05 – 1.063 g/mL) (p<0.000). Carbohydrate refinement has a greater effect fecal lipids than protein source. Milk protein‐containing diets resulted in improved lipoprotein profiles in PD and NID diets.Support or Funding InformationSupported in part by Texas A&M AgriLife Research project 8738 (to R.L.W.)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Phenamil induces osteoblast formation and calcification in murine mesenchymal cultures. In vivo bioactivity in broiler chicks was studied during rapid bone growth 2 weeks post hatch. 26 broiler chicks were intubated daily with DMSO Vehicle (V) or 30 mg Phenamil (P)/kg BW. Body weight was measured to day 15 in ad lib fed birds. Tibia & femur fresh (f) and dry (d) weight, length, mid‐shaft width, % ash and mineral composition were measured. P‐birds weighed less than CON on days 8 through 14 (p< 0.03), but not at day 15 (p< 0.28). Tibiaf and femurf weights from P‐birds were less than CON (p< 0.005, p< 0.002), but only tibiad weight as %BW differed (p< 0.04). Femurd weights did not differ. Tibiasd from P‐birds weighed less than CON (p< 0.011), but not as a %BW. Bone ash as % of BW did not differ.Tibiasf from P birds were shorter (p<0.004) & more narrow (p< 0.012) than CON. Femur lengths and widths were similar as was dry bone, bone ash %. Bone ppm of P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Mn, S, and B were similar, while bone Zn increased 30% in P‐birds (p< 0.001) along with a 2.6% increase in bone Ca:P (p< 0.003). Phenamil restricted long bone growth of young broilers while enhancing relative bone Ca and absolute bone Zn deposition. Phenamil effects on normal bone growth as compared to bone repair need additional study. Supported in part by Undergraduate Research funds to KM. Animal Protocol #2012–028 IAUCC‐TAMU