bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
54 Image Based Sampling to Assess Horn Fly Abundance on Cattle
Authors: Warner Amanda M , Ling Ashley , Krause Taylor , Hinkle Nancy , Heins Bradley , Pringle Dean , Aggrey Samuel E , Rekaya Romdhane
Published: May 2023

Horn flies are a major irritant to livestock. In cattle, horn flies can cause increased heart and respiratory rates, decreased feed efficiency, decreased weaning weights, and reduced milk production, resulting in substantial economic loss. Fly abundance varies within and across breeds, and genetic analyses have shown sufficient variation to permit selection of hosts for resistance to horn flies. A major limitation for selecting against horn fly abundance is the difficulty associated with measuring on-animal fly counts under pasture conditions. Traditionally, trained evaluators examine cattle in the pasture and estimate fly numbers. Fly movement and animal movements, as well as evaluator expertise are major sources of variation. Image analysis has also been proposed as a means to evaluate horn fly abundance. However, several issues related to image acquisition and processing need to be resolved before reliable estimates can be obtained. Cows (n = 752) and heifers (n = 129) were assessed by trained evaluators and several digital images were taken for each animal twice during the summers of 2019 and 2022. For each image, a box that runs roughly from the withers to the hooks and from the chest floor to the fore of the udder was established. Using ImageJ software, all horn flies within the box were manually counted. Additionally, a density region-based method was used. It consisted of dividing the box into regions of high, moderate, and low fly density. A grid was placed over the box and 20%, 10%, and 5% of squares were sampled randomly within the high, medium, and low-density regions of the grid, respectively. The total counts were used to assess the accuracy of the density region method and the subjective assessment by trained evaluators method. The Pearson correlation between fly counts assessed based on and the methods was 0.954. A lower correlation was obtained between subjective assessment and (0.403) and (0.432). When fly abundance was discretized into 4 classes, the image-based methods showed high concordance (~0.90). However, the subjective method yielded only a 37% concordance. These results seemed to indicate that the proposed collection can be used with high accuracy to estimate the total number of flies on the animal. It significantly reduced the amount of time it takes to estimate fly counts from images. Furthermore, it has a greater accuracy than subjective evaluations. Despite its good performance, the proposed method still does not overcome the difficulties associated with capturing images under pasture settings. Alternative approaches that can cheaply and efficiently estimate fly abundance should be explored.
180 Assessment of Weaning and Backgrounding Management Practices Used by Alabama Cattle Producers
Authors: Justice Maggie M , Mullenix Kim K , Tigue Daniel A , Elmore Michelle F , Stanford Callie , Runge Max
Published: May 2023

Weaning is one of the most critical and stressful stages of a beef calf’s life. Management strategies practiced during the post-weaning period can have a large impact on calf performance, quality, and economic viability. With the number of different practices that producers can utilize during these stages of production, it is important for Extension educators to understand which management strategies are most commonly used and the potential successes of those practices. In spring 2022, an online survey was conducted to examine beef calf weaning and backgrounding management practices used by Alabama cattle producers. The survey was distributed through Qualtrics software and contained 24 total questions. There were 214 responses received by the end of the survey deadline. A total of 94% of respondents considered their operation to be a cow-calf operation with 52% of respondents identifying as a commercial cow-calf operation. Most participants (46%) indicated they had a smaller size herd of 50 head or less. Almost one-half of respondents (47%) had a calving season in the fall, 23% had a winter calving season, and 19% had a spring calving season. There was an 11% response of producers not having a defined calving season. Participants were asked to describe their method of calf weaning and of the methods listed, 55% said they abruptly wean and 38% reported that they utilize fenceline weaning. Over one-half (61%) of producers indicated that they background or precondition their calves and another 25% stated that they do in some years, but not always. For respondents that do not background, market unpredictability is the main concern when choosing to not precondition calves. Producers who responded that they do background calves indicated that they wean for at least 60 days before sale. These respondents also followed other important management strategies such as a vaccination program (83%), castration (81%) and use of implants (37%). Methods for marketing backgrounded calves differed across respondents with 49% of survey respondents using local livestock auctions as one method of selling their calves and 13% of producers retaining ownership of their calves through the feedyard finishing phase. With these data, potential educational gaps for cow-calf operations, such as marketing knowledge and opportunities have been identified. Extension educators in Alabama will be able to use these data to create resources and programs centered around backgrounding cattle to improve overall understanding related to calf management post-weaning.
191 Effect of Inclusion of Hempseed Meal on Rumen Papillae Morphology And Rumen Fermentation of Boer X Spanish Intact Male Goats
Authors: Ale Khim B , Abrahamsen Frank W , Gurung Reshma , Chaudhary Santoshi , Gautam Tej , Gurung Nar K
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of inclusion of increasing levels of hempseed meal (HSM) on the morphology of the rumen papillae and volatile fatty acids production in the rumen of intact male goats. Boer x Spanish intact male goats (n = 36), 0 to1 months of age and bodyweight of 44.1 ± 3.8 kg, were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental diets (n = 9 goats/diet): 0% (control), 0%, 20%, and 30% HSM included on an as-fed basis and fed ad-libitum for 60 days. Experimental diets were formulated as total mixed ration (TMR), and the nutrient content of each diet was formulated to be iso-nitrogenous (18% crude protein) and to meet or exceed the nutrient requirement of breeding male goats. At the end of the trial, experimental goats were humanely processed as per USDA standards. Rumen fluid and necropsy samples of rumen tissue from the ventral sac of the rumen were collected, and rumen tissue was processed for histological examination. Morphometric variables of rumen papillae; height and width of rumen papillae, and density (number of papillae/cm2) were recorded, and total absorptive surface area was calculated. The thickness of the stratum corneum (SC) and the thickness of stratum granulosum (SG) was measured from the histological slides of rumen tissue. The rumen fluid was analyzed for the volatile fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) concentration. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and orthogonal contrast test for equally spaced treatments using R version 4.2.1. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in height of papillae, the width of papillae, papillae density, total absorptive surface area, SC thickness, and SG thickness among the goats feeding different experimental diets. The concentration of propionic acid decreased linearly (P > 0.01) with increasing inclusion of HSM (12.90, 9.51, 8.12 and 7.34 mmol/L for 0 %,0 %, 20 % and 30 % HSM, respectively), whereas the concentration of acetic acid and butyric acid were similar among the experimental groups (P > 0.05). These observed results indicate that the inclusion of HSM at least up to 30 % in the diet does not affect the rumen papillae morphology, and acetate and butyrate concentration in the rumen in intact male goats.
34 Successive Bouts of Exercise Influences the Inflammatory Cytokine Response in Thoroughbred Horses Regardless of Recovery Aid Supplementation
Authors: Barshick Madison R , Riley Julia , Pelletier Megan , Gonzalez Madison , Johnson Sally
Published: May 2023

In equine sports, the rate of recovery after an exhaustive exercise session greatly affects the ability of the animal to perform subsequently, especially if the next exercise session occurs quickly. Carnitine participates in fatty acid delivery to the mitochondria and may facilitate muscle recovery post-exercise. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of a commercially available carnitine supplement (Renew, Platinum Performance, Buellton, CA) on adult The ability of Thoroughbred horses (16 geldings, 2 mares, 6.69 ± 0.49 years, 524.81 ± 10.07 kg, 5.66 ± 0.12 BCS) to perform successive bouts of exhaustive exercise. All horses participated in a moderate workload conditioning program for 6-weeks before testing. Horses received a ration of applesauce (30 mL, CON, n = 8) or ration of applesauce containing 19.6 g of the product (30 mL, AID, n = 8) 1 h before performing an incremental standardized exercise test (iSET) to exhaustion (day 1). Heart rate (HR) and gait biomechanics were recorded throughout the duration of the iSET. Blood was collected at 0, 10 min, 1, 4 and 6 h relative to exercise for the measurement of lactate and interleukin (IL) 1b, 8 and 10 mRNA content. for the measurement of lactate and interleukin (IL) 1b, IL8 and IL10 mRNA content. The AID was administered again at 1 h post-iSET after collection of the blood sample. All horses were rested for 24 h before repeating the iSET (day 3) with performance data and sample collection. The AID did not affect time to maximum HR, time to reach V200 or total gallop time during the iSET on day 1 or day 3. The rate of HR decline post iSET was slower (P < 0.05) for all horses on day 3 compared with day 1. Blood lactate concentration was not affected by AID or day. The right front limb posterior fetlock angle at full stance phase increased (P < 0.05) with speed for both CON and AID supplemented horses on day 1. Horses receiving AID demonstrated an increase (P < 0.05) in this measure at day 3 while no significant differences (P > 0.05) in posterior angle were detected in CON. Administration of AID did not affect whole blood IL1b, IL8 or IL10 mRNA content on day 1 or day 3. Consolidation of the data demonstrates increased (P < 0.05) expression of IL1b and IL8 mRNA during post-exercise recovery time on day 1 that was absent on day 3. Expression of IL10 was altered (P < 0.05) over time post-exercise on both days. Results of the experiment demonstrate that successive bouts of exercise affect the inflammatory response to exhaustion. Although AID did not affect IL gene expression, it did promote retention of flexion at the fetlock joint suggesting that carnitine products may facilitate recovery from strenuous exercise.
46 Adrenomedullin: A Novel Peptide Hormone for Uterine Receptivity and Conceptus Elongation in Pigs?
Authors: Paudel Sudikshya , Liu Bangmin , Cummings Magdalina J , Wang Xiaoqiu
Published: May 2023

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is an evolutionarily conserved multi-functional peptide hormone in mammalian species. The implantation sites of conceptuses (embryo/fetus and its extra-embryonic membranes) in pregnant Adm+/− female mice are abnormally spaced leading to fetal crowding, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and increases in pregnancy loss. As litter-bearing species, pigs exhibit a high incidence of early embryonic death (30-40%) and naturally occurring IUGR (15-25%), and significant numbers of stillborn piglets (3-9%). Therefore, it is imperative that the roles of ADM in regulation of uterine receptivity, as well as growth and development of conceptus in pigs be established. This study determined abundances of ADM in uterine luminal fluid, and the patterns of expression of ADM and its receptor components in uteri from cyclic and pregnant gilts, as well as conceptuses during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy. ADM receptor components include: calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CALCRL; G protein-coupled receptor bound by ADM), receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP2; dimerized with CALCRL to form ADM1 receptor) and RAMP3 (dimerized with CALCRL to form ADM2 receptor with lower specificity to ADM) and atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3; a decoy receptor that serves as a cell-autonomous molecular rheostat to dampen ADM signaling). Total recoverable ADM was greater in the uterine fluid of pregnant compared with cyclic gilts between days 10 and 16 post-estrus and was from uterine luminal epithelial (LE) and conceptus trophectoderm (Tr) cells. Uterine expression of CALCRL, RAMP2, and ACKR3 were affected by day (P < 0.05), pregnant status (P < 0.01) and/or day x status (P < 0.05). Within porcine conceptuses, expression of CALCRL, RAMP2 and ACKR3 increased between days 10 and 16 of pregnancy. Using an established porcine trophectoderm (pTr1) cell line isolated from elongating porcine conceptuses recovered on day 2 post-breeding, it was determined that 10-7 M ADM stimulated proliferation of pTr1 cells (P < 0.05) at 48 h, and increased phosphorylated mechanistic target of rapamycin (p-MTOR) and 4E binding protein (p-4EBP1) by 6.1- and 4.9-fold (P < 0.0001), respectively. These novel results indicate a significant role for ADM in uterine receptivity for implantation and conceptus growth and development in pigs. They also provide a framework for future studies of ADM signaling to affect proliferation and migration of Tr cells, spacing of blastocysts, implantation and placentation in pigs. This research was supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2022-67015-36491 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
117 Effects of Cattle Removal Date on Sustainability of Cool-Season Annual Grazed Cover Crop Systems
Authors: Blinson Mason , Dillard Leanne L , Mullenix Kim K , Muntifering Russell B , Carrell Russell C , Gamble Audrey
Published: May 2023

Grazing of cool-season cover crops has been shown to be a viable tool in extending the grazing season while mitigating environmental risks associated with row crop farming systems. While there is a vast amount of research available on cover crops in relation to soil health, a more novel approach would be to focus on forage production and animal performance when grazing cover crops. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the effects of cattle removal date on forage yield, forage quality, and steer performance when grazing cool-season cover crops. A cool-season forage mix consisting of ‘Cosaque’ oats (Avena strigose), ‘FL401’ cereal rye (Secale cereal), ‘AU Sunrise’ crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), and ‘T-raptor’ brassica (Brassica napus × B. rapa) was established in twelve, 0.62 ha paddocks in Headland, AL. Each paddock was then randomly allocated to one of four cattle removal treatments: 1) no grazing (CON); 2) February removal (FEB); 3) March removal (MAR); or 4) April removal (APR). Three tester steers were randomly allotted, based on body weight (BW), to each of the grazing treatments, excluding CON. The tester steers were weighed every 30 d for calculation of initial BW, final BW, and average daily gain (ADG). At inception and every subsequent two weeks, forage was harvested to analyze average forage yield, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude protein (CP). All data were analyzed using GLIMMIX procedure of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Inst., Cary, NC). Significant differences in forage yield were detected between CON and FEB (3,913 vs. 2,261 kg/ha; P < 0.001), CON and MAR (3,913 vs. 1,790 kg/ha; P < 0.001), and CON and APR (3,913 vs. 1,810 kg/ha; P < 0.001). There were no differences found for ADG (1.2 kg/day; P = 0.56), NDF (50.94%; P = 0.46), or ADF (30.34%; P = 0.25) among treatments. Results indicate that grazing of cool-season annual cover crops will reduce forage yield, but removal date of cattle will not further affect forage yield, quality, or individual cattle performance. Thus, we can reduce winter supplementation needs for cattle by increasing grazing days; however, under continuous grazing for stocker cattle production, forage availability may inevitably be the limiting factor.
100 Methane Production in Roughage-Lacking Diets Containing Ionized Amino Acids as Antibiotic Alternative
Authors: Neto Geraldo Balieiro , Jorge Márcio , Berndt Alexandre , Munhoz Marcela S J , Amâncio Bruna R , Jordao Carlos Eduardo K M C
Published: May 2023

The use of antibiotics in animal feed, commonly used as a strategy to achieve greater daily weight gains and recently as way to reduce methane emission, might result in the selection of resistant microorganisms and certain bacterial strains isolated from cattle are resistant to multiple antibiotics and could be human health hazards. To evaluate methane production in ruminant diet without roughage containing ionized amino acids as antibiotic alternative, twenty-four Nellore young bulls were allotted into two groups. The first group was fed with high-grain diet without roughage and without antibiotics diet, containing 82 mg/kg of ionized amino acids mixture (L-lysine and L-taurine HCl 99%, pH 9.74) manufactured by MJ Animal Nutrition. The second group was fed with high-grain diet containing Brachiaria brizantha hay (15% dry matter) and sodium monensin (120 mgּּ animal -1 ּּ day-1). It was not used a negative control group to avoid metabolic disturbances. The feedlot time was 100 days. The weight measurements were performed at the beginning of the trial period and monthly, always with water restriction and fasting for 18 hours, even before slaughter. A completely randomized design was used. Methane emission was measured using the sulfur hexafluoride technique and daily dry matter intake were measured in GrowSafe system. There was no detection of lameness or laminitis in any groups and there were no changes in feed conversion ratio (FCR). The total methane emission (-77.11%) and the methane emission per dry matter intake (DMI; -57.12 %), per average daily weight gain (ADG; -71.11%) and per kilogram of carcass (-70.07%) were different between treatments (P < 0.0001), resulting in decreased emission intensities for group fed without roughage with diet containing ionized amino acids. We conclude that fed without roughage with diet containing ionized amino acids was an effective strategy as an antibiotic alternative, mitigate GHG emissions and facilitate feedlot diets management. In field conditions, the roughage-lacking diets represent advantage, especially regarding its administration to a large amount of the animals just once a week or less, no need area, infra-structure and expertise to produce, preserve and feeding roughage.
97 Can Fecal Volatile Fatty Acids be Used as an Indicator of Ruminal Volatile Fatty Acids?
Authors: Hines Abbigail R , Rigney Diva N , Lowrey Haley , Mullenix Kim K , Heaton Courtney , Dillard Leanne L , Smith William B
Published: May 2023

For in vitro digestibility experiments addressing both horses and cattle, feces have long been thought to be an equivalent surrogate for ruminal or cecal inoculum that would eliminate the need for fistulated animals. However, this assumption requires similar microbial and chemical properties among inoculum sources. Validation of the relationship of fecal to ruminal metabolic properties would allow for more readily accessible information on fermentation across nutrition experiments. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare ruminal and fecal VFA production from heifers fed four bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) cultivars. Ruminally-fistulated heifers (n = 4) were assigned randomly to one of four bermudagrass cultivars (Coastal [COS], Russell [RUS], Tifton 44 [T44], or Tifton 85 [T85]) for four 30-d in vivo periods (21-d adaptation and 9-d collection). On d 28, rumen fluid (RF) samples were collected at 13 timepoints (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 h) and rectal fecal samples were collected at 7 timepoints (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 h). Samples were acidified with meta-phosphoric acid, and 2-ethylbutyric acid was included as an internal standard. Samples were assayed for acetic (A), propionic (P), isobutyric (IB), butyric (B), isovaleric (IV), valeric (V), 4-methylvalteric (4MV), and caproic (C) acids by gas-liquid chromatography. Data were analyzed using SAS v. 9.4. Heifers receiving COS produced less (P < 0.05) RF concentrations of A (25.01 mM), P (5.21 mM), and total VFA (34.2 mM) than T85 (43.4, 8.9, and 58.0 mM, respectively), T44 (42.0, 9.0, and 57.3 mM, respectively), and RUS (39.8 8.9, and 55.3 mM, respectively), which were all similar. Ruminal B was greatest (P < 0.05) from RUS (5.4 mM) and least from COS (3.1 mmol/L), with T44 and T85 intermediate (4.9 and 4.4 mM, respectively). There was no effect of cultivar (P ≥ 0.10) on RF IB, IV, V, or 4MV concentrations. Fecal IB was correlated (P < 0.05) with RF IV (r = 0.59) and tended to be correlated (P ≤ 0.09) with RF A (r = 0.39), P (r = 0.39), C (r = 0.37), and total VFA (r = 0.38). Fecal P was correlated (P < 0.05) with RF IV (r = 0.51). No other fecal VFA were correlated with RF VFA. Results are interpreted to mean that COS results in decreased ruminal fermentation relative to the other cultivars tested. However, there is little indication that fecal VFA can serve as an indicator for ruminal fermentation.
104 Exposure to Environmental Pollutant GenX Chemical Modulates Innate and Adaptive Immunity Genes in Cow Neutrophils
Authors: Adjei-Fremah Sarah , Pande Priyanka , Worku Mulumebet , Jagana Sowmya , Inupala Sree Navya , Sabater Therese , Deng Dongyang , Uzzaman Md Rasel
Published: May 2023

GenX is an environmental contaminant with wide industrial use and found in drinking water. These chemicals have high bioaccumulation and cause adverse health effects in animals and humans. Previous study has shown that pre GenX perfluoroalkyl/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and GenX affect immune cells but there is limited study on their impact on innate immune cells (neutrophils) in livestock, such as cows. This study evaluated the effect of GenX exposure on innate and adaptive immune response gene transcription in bovine neutrophils ex vivo. Whole blood was collected using Acid citrate dextrose as a coagulant from cows (n = 5). Neutrophils were isolated using differential centrifugation and hypotonic lysis of red cells. Isolated neutrophils were treated with GenX (100 ng), or untreated (control group) for hour at 37oC, 5%CO2 and 85% relative humidity. After treatment, total RNA was extracted using Trizol reagent, reverse transcribed to cDNA, and quantitative PCR was performed using the innate and adaptive immunity RT2 profiler array (Qiagen) with 84 genes. The qPCR data were analyzed using Livak’s method to calculate fold change (FC) in gene expression between GenX-treated and control neutrophils, and FC >2, (p < 0.05) was considered significant. Normalization of data was performed with GAPDH and Beta Actin as an internal control. Out of the 84 genes tested, 78 were expressed, 25 were upregulated and4 were downregulated, in response to GenX exposure. Exposure to GenX upregulated the expression of TLR8 (FC = 24.75), NOD2 (FC = 7.65), STAT1 (FC = 49.35), HLA-A (FC = 14.07), and NKB1A (FC = 16.52). Treatment with GenX decreased the expression TICAM1 (FC = -2.30), CD86 (FC = -2.27) and RAG1 (FC = -2.50). These results indicate that GenX exposure can activate and modulate the expression of innate and adaptive immune response genes in cow neutrophils. STAT1 is involved in transcriptional regulation and activation of TLR7/8 shifts neutrophil function from phagocytosis to NETosis. Thus, the mechanism of action of GenX on identified gene targets and their function and possible animal health consequences warrants further study.
137 Replacement Heifer Gain, Feed Intake and Efficiency While Consuming an Unprocessed Hay Diet Followed by a Mixed Concentrate/Forage Diet
Authors: Briggs Emma A , Lalman David , Horton Kade , Moore Mikayla F
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency in beef heifers while consuming two diets divergent in energy density. Fifty-four yearling Angus and Angus cross heifers (initial body weight = 307.5 ± 30.35 kg) were subject to sequential intake trials using SmartFeed individual intake measuring technology (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD) in drylot pens at the Oklahoma State University Range Cow Research Center. The first intake period (HAY) was initiated on July 15 (d -21) with a 21-d adaptation period and a 70-d intake period. Bermudagrass hay (10.3% CP, 2.0 Mcal ME, and 56% TDN) and a salt/mineral/vitamin supplement was offered on an ad libitum basis throughout the experiment. The second intake period was initiated on d-92 and included 14 d of adaption with 42 d of data collection. A mixed diet (12.4% CP, 45% NDF, and 65% TDN) consisting of 50% chopped bermudagrass hay, concentrate feeds, and a liquid supplement containing minerals and vitamins (TMR) was offered on an ad libitum basis. In both periods, weights were recorded every 14 days, and ADG was calculated by regressing body weight over time. Dry matter intake (DMI) and residual feed intake (RFI) were calculated at the end of each feeding period. Statistical regression equations were used to predict RFI for both HAY and TMR, including average metabolic body weight and average daily gain for each of their respective trials. For RFI, cattle were classified as inefficient, average, or efficient based on 0.5 SD away from the mean RFI score. Descriptive statistics for HAY evaluated traits of DMI, ADG, and RFI (means ± SD) were 5.49 ± 0.84 kg, 0.15 ± 0.16 kg, and 0.0 ± 1.01 kg, respectively. Means ± SD for DMI, ADG, and RFI for TMR were 9.54 ±1.26 kg, 1.45 ± 0.38 kg, and 0.0 ± 0.15 kg. Spearman rank correlations for DMI, ADG, and RFI were 0.35 (P = 0.0089), 0.16 (P = 0.2367), and 0.52 (P < 0.0001), respectively. This initial study suggests that intake of hay and a mixed diet may be modestly correlated, while there is no relationship of weight gain when consuming forage and weight gain consuming a mixed, processed diet.
127 Preliminary Effect of Cottonseed as a Source of Gossypol on the Artificial Infection of Meat does withHaemonchus Contortus
Authors: Brasher Hannah , Dearborn Lindsey , Nguyen Tina , Mooney Zeta , Pesato Michael , Torres-Acosta Felipe , Sandoval-Castro Carlos , Rios Leyla
Published: May 2023

Gossypol is a polyphenolic aldehyde found in cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum). Cottonseed is a readily available feedstuff commodity in the southeast United States; therefore, it has the potential for usage as an inexpensive source of fat and protein and is promising for animal producers in this region. Gossypol has been studied for its negative effect on the reproduction of males. However, in the present study, we hypothesized a possible anthelmintic effect of cottonseed, a source of gossypol (polyphenolic compound) against Haemonchus contortus. For this purpose, 4-month-old Boer x Spanish cross does (n = 40) were randomly assigned to 4 treatments (n = 10/treatment), based on the supplementation (0.5% body weight-BW in kg), Cottonseed vs. pelleted feed (NC), and no parasite infection (NP) or artificial infection with 4,000 L3 of H. contortus (P). For 8 weeks, FAMACHA, BW, and eggs per gram of feces (EPG) using the McMaster technique were recorded from each animal. The experimental design used was a 2x2 factorial. Normality was tested using Wilk-Shapiro, followed by an ANOVA. Those variables not following normal distribution were analyzed using Kruskal - Wallis nonparametric test. Body weights were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Goats fed with Cottonseed had a similar BW to those fed with pellets, 29.14 and 29.80 kgs, respectively. Furthermore, the Cottonseed fed animals had greater EPG (1074.4 ± 473.4) compared with those eating pelleted feed (672.7 ± 297.07; P< 0.05). Non-artificially infected animals presented minimum EPG (8.1± 8.9 and 3.7 ± 6.05 for NCNP and CNP, respectively) as part of natural infection. FAMACHA for both parasitized groups were similar, 2.77 and 2.84 for NCP and CP, respectively, but greater (P < 0.05) than the FAMACHA of the non-infected animals of 2.29 and 2.41 for NCNP and CNP, respectively. From this study, the presence of cottonseed in the diet of female meat goats did not have a positive effect on reducing the parasite infection, contrary to what was expected.
156 The Impact of Sire Parasite Resistance on Offspring Gastrointestinal Nematode Indicators, and Relative Impact of Lamb Breeding Values on sale Value of Ram Lambs
Authors: Burke Joan M , Popp Michael P , Anderson John D , Miller James E , Notter David R
Published: May 2023

Genetic selection of sheep for resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) has become a priority for pasture-based production of lambs to minimize the need for deworming. The first objective of this experiment was to determine the impact of sire weaning or post-weaning fecal egg count (FEC) estimated breeding value (EBV; WFEC and PFEC, respectively) from the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) on GIN infection in Katahdin lambs born in fall (Oct – Nov; n = 459) or winter (Jan – Feb; n = 378) of 2018 through 2021 at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS). FAMACHA scores were determined, and blood samples and feces were collected from the lambs to determine packed cell volume (PCV), and FEC at 60, 90, 120, and 150 days of age, and lambs were selectively dewormed if anemic. Data were analyzed using mixed models. The offspring FEC was positively (P < 0.001) and the PCV negatively (P < 0.001) related to the sire WFEC and PFEC. This implies that offspring parasitism would be less and survival greater from highly resistant sires. A second objective was to examine effects on sale prices of breeding-quality ram lambs from four farms, including ARS, of lamb EBV for WFEC and ewe productivity trait (EPT) designed to identify ewes with superior maternal ability. Sale price effects were dominated by sale type with a premium of $1,086/animal relative to direct sales from the farm for animals in NSIP or specialty sales. EPT EBV was impactful yielding a-SD increase of 2.3 units or an extra $39/animal. WFEC had no effect on sale value. Thus, while more parasite-resistant sires produced offspring with decreased FEC, the sale value of these ram lambs appeared to have been more strongly associated with EPT, or with a desire to obtain ram lambs with balanced EBV rather than elite EBV for parasite resistance.
7 Assessment of a Chew-Sensor Technology for Quantifying Feeding Behaviors in Sheep
Authors: Major Shelby L , Weinert-Nelson Jennifer R , Werner Jessica , Ely Donald , Hamilton Tracy , Hamilton Matthew , Jacks LeeAnn , Harlow Brittany
Published: May 2023

Precision livestock management technologies for remote automated monitoring of feeding behavior can be utilized to improve animal health and production efficiency. The RumiWatch System (Itin+Hoch GmbH, Liestal, Switzerland) is a chew-sensor technology that has been validated for use in cattle and horses. The objective of this study was to validate the capability of the RumiWatch System to accurately quantify feeding behaviors in sheep. It was hypothesized that this chew-sensor technology would accurately report feeding and rumination time. Twelve Hampshire ewes (BW: 63 ± 2.0 kg; Age: 202 ±.1 d) were randomly assigned to four observational groups (n = 3 ewes∙group-1). Groups were pen-housed (4.8 x.5 m) and fed one concentrate meal (0.91 kg∙ewe-1∙d-1) in addition to ad libitum hay. One group per day was fitted with sheep-adapted prototype RumiWatch halters and observed over three 2-h periods using-min scan sampling, with each group observed for two days. Behaviors were classified as eating, ruminating, or other activity. Observations were recorded via Behavioral Observation Research Interactive Software (BORIS; v.7.13.8, Torino, Italy). Raw data collected using the prototype halters were converted using two versions of RumiWatch Converter software (v.7.3.2 and v.7.3.36). Agreement between visual observations and the RumiWatch output was evaluated in R (v. 4.0.1; R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). This included percent agreement and Cohen’s Kappa for-min behavior classifications and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) for hourly eating and rumination time. Agreement between visual observation and the two converter versions for time spent performing other behaviors was also assessed. Percent agreement was 81.4% and 86.9% for v.7.3.2 and v.7.3.36, respectively. Cohen’s Kappa for both versions indicated substantial accordance of observations and classified behaviors (v.7.3.2: κ = 0.71; v.7.3.36; κ = 0.79). Pearson correlations for eating time were r = 0.95 (v.7.3.2) and r = 0.96 (v.7.3.36; P < 0.0001). For rumination time, correlations were r = 0.88 (v.7.3.2) and r = 0.96 (v.73.36; P < 0.0001). The CCC between observations and system-recorded eating time indicated very high agreement regardless of converter version (v.7.3.2: CCC = 0.92; v.7.3.36: CCC = 0.96). High or very agreement was also found for rumination time (v.7.3.2: CCC = 0.73; v.7.3.36: CCC = 0.92). Agreement was high for observations and time assigned as other activity regardless of converter version (v.7.3.2: r = 0.96 [P < 0.0001], CCC = 0.90; v.7.3.36: r = 0.98 [P < 0.0001], CCC = 0.94). Results of this study demonstrate that the RumiWatch System can accurately quantify time spent feeding and ruminating in sheep, with future applications for both researchers and producers.
The Protection of Animal Welfare vis-à-vis Recreational Fishing: The Judgment C-148/22 of the Colombian Constitutional Court
Authors: Lozada Gomez Marcelo
Published: May 2023

This analysis considers the recent ruling of the Colombian Constitutional Court, C-148/22, in which the Court banned recreational fishing in the country citing the prohibition of animal cruelty under the Colombian constitution and the precautionary principle. This unprecedented decision by a constitutional tribunal illustrates the growing importance of animal welfare as a justiciable standard of adjudication. It also underscores the complex role of judges when reconciling the extant human-centric concerns in constitutional thinking with the growing constitutional significance awarded to the lived experiences of animals. This analysis discusses the Court’s reasoning and highlights issues inviting further consideration.
Introduction: Healthcare Practitioners’ Emotions and the Politics of Well-Being in Twentieth Century Anglo-America
Authors: Moses Jacob D , Arnold-Forster Agnes , Schotland Samuel V
Published: May 2023

From the stress of burnout to the gratification of camaraderie, medicine is suffused with emotions that educators, administrators, and reformers have sought to shape. Yet historians of medicine have only begun to analyze how emotions have structured health care work. This introductory essay frames a special issue on health care practitioners’ emotions in the twentieth-century United Kingdom and United States. We argue that the massive bureaucratic and scientific changes in medicine after the Second World War helped to reshape affective aspects of care. The articles in this issue emphasize the intersubjectivity of feelings in healthcare settings and the mutually constitutive relationship between patients’ and providers’ emotions. Bridging the history of medicine with the history of emotion demonstrates how emotions are instilled rather than innate, social as well as personal, and, above all else, change over time. The articles reckon with the power dynamics of healthcare. They address the policies and practices that institutions, organizations, and governments have implemented to shape, govern, or manage the affective experiences and well-being of healthcare workers. And they point to important new directions in the history of medicine.
Healthcare-Associated Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Children’s Hospitals
Authors: Saiman Lisa , Coffin Susan E , Kociolek Larry K , Zerr Danielle M , Milstone Aaron M , Aldrich Margaret L , Vargas Celibell Y , Zapata Giovanny , Zalot Morgan A , Reyna Megan E , Adler Amanda , Voskertchian Annie , Egbert Emily R , Alba Luis , Gollerkeri Sonia , Ruggieri Madelyn , Finelli Lyn , Choi Yoonyoung
Published: May 2023

Background

Outbreaks of healthcare-associated respiratory syncytial virus (HA-RSV) infections in children are well described, but less is known about sporadic HA-RSV infections. We assessed the epidemiology and clinical outcomes associated with sporadic HA-RSV infections.

Methods

We retrospectively identified hospitalized children ≤18 years old with HA-RSV infections in six children’s hospitals in the United States during the respiratory viral seasons October–April in 2016–2017, 2017–2018, and 2018–2019 and prospectively from October 2020 through November 2021. We evaluated outcomes temporally associated with HA-RSV infections including escalation of respiratory support, transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and in-hospital mortality. We assessed demographic characteristics and comorbid conditions associated with escalation of respiratory support.

Results

We identified 122 children (median age 16.0 months [IQR 6, 60 months]) with HA-RSV. The median onset of HA-RSV infections was hospital day 14 (IQR 7, 34 days). Overall, 78 (63.9%) children had two or more comorbid conditions; cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurologic/neuromuscular, respiratory, and premature/ neonatal comorbidities were most common. Fifty-five (45.1%) children required escalation of respiratory support and 18 (14.8%) were transferred to the PICU. Five (4.1%) died during hospitalization. In the multivariable analysis, respiratory comorbidities (aOR: 3.36 [CI95 1.41, 8.01]) were associated with increased odds of escalation of respiratory support.

Conclusions

HA-RSV infections cause preventable morbidity and increase healthcare resource utilization. Further study of effective mitigation strategies for HA-respiratory viral infections should be prioritized; this priority is further supported by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on seasonal viral infections.
Evaluation of endpoints for the study and diagnosis of mitochondrial toxicity and disease: a narrative review
Authors: Gharti Prashamsa , Fletcher Jessica F , Chapman Katherine E
Published: May 2023

Mitochondrial DNA mutation and toxicity have been linked to several inherited and acquired diseases; however, these are challenging to diagnose and characterize due to clinical and genetic heterogeneity. This review investigates current techniques for the analysis of mitochondrial perturbations, and novel, emerging endpoints for routine application within the clinical setting. Particular focus is given to the biochemistry of the mitochondria influencing each endpoint and the relation of these to toxicity. Current approaches such as the use of metabolic markers (e.g. lactate production), and muscle biopsies to measure mitochondrial proteins were found to lack specificity. Newly emerging identified endpoints were: fibroblast growth factor-21, glucose uptake, mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial morphology, mtDNA heteroplasmy, and mutation of mtDNA and nuclear DNA. Owed to the advancement in genetic analysis techniques, it is suggested by this review that genotypic endpoints of mtDNA mutation and heteroplasmy show particular promise as indicators of mitochondrial disease. It is, however, acknowledged that any single endpoint in isolation offers limited information; therefore, it is recommended that analysis of several endpoints simultaneously will offer the greatest benefit in terms of disease diagnosis and study. It is hoped that this review further highlights the need for advancement in understanding mitochondrial disease.
The Drosophila gene encoding JIG protein (CG14850) is critical for CrebA nuclear trafficking during development
Authors: Bhuiyan Sayem H , Bordet Guillaume , Bamgbose Gbolahan , Tulin Alexei V
Published: May 2023

Coordination of mitochondrial and nuclear processes is key to the cellular health; however, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms regulating nuclear-mitochondrial crosstalk. Here, we report a novel molecular mechanism controlling the shuttling of CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) protein complex between mitochondria and nucleoplasm. We show that a previously unknown protein, herein termed as Jig, functions as a tissue-specific and developmental timing-specific coregulator in the CREB pathway. Our results demonstrate that Jig shuttles between mitochondria and nucleoplasm, interacts with CrebA protein and controls its delivery to the nucleus, thus triggering CREB-dependent transcription in nuclear chromatin and mitochondria. Ablating the expression of Jig prevents CrebA from localizing to the nucleoplasm, affecting mitochondrial functioning and morphology and leads to Drosophila developmental arrest at the early third instar larval stage. Together, these results implicate Jig as an essential mediator of nuclear and mitochondrial processes. We also found that Jig belongs to a family of nine similar proteins, each of which has its own tissue- and time-specific expression profile. Thus, our results are the first to describe the molecular mechanism regulating nuclear and mitochondrial processes in a tissue- and time-specific manner.
g:Profiler—interoperable web service for functional enrichment analysis and gene identifier mapping (2023 update)
Authors: Kolberg Liis , Raudvere Uku , Kuzmin Ivan , Adler Priit , Vilo Jaak , Peterson Hedi
Published: May 2023

g:Profiler is a reliable and up-to-date functional enrichment analysis tool that supports various evidence types, identifier types and organisms. The toolset integrates many databases, including Gene Ontology, KEGG and TRANSFAC, to provide a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of gene lists. It also provides interactive and intuitive user interfaces and supports ordered queries and custom statistical backgrounds, among other settings. g:Profiler provides multiple programmatic interfaces to access its functionality. These can be easily integrated into custom workflows and external tools, making them valuable resources for researchers who want to develop their own solutions. g:Profiler has been available since 2007 and is used to analyse millions of queries. Research reproducibility and transparency are achieved by maintaining working versions of all past database releases since 2015. g:Profiler supports 849 species, including vertebrates, plants, fungi, insects and parasites, and can analyse any organism through user-uploaded custom annotation files. In this update article, we introduce a novel filtering method highlighting Gene Ontology driver terms, accompanied by new graph visualizations providing a broader context for significant Gene Ontology terms. As a leading enrichment analysis and gene list interoperability service, g:Profiler offers a valuable resource for genetics, biology and medical researchers. It is freely accessible at https://biit.cs.ut.ee/gprofiler.
Competition for gradient-free tuning of large language models: approaches, results, current challenges and future directions
Authors: Cao Tingfeng , Chen Liang , Zhang Dixiang , Sun Tianxiang , He Zhengfu , Qiu Xipeng , Xu Xing , Zhang Hai
Published: May 2023

This perspective presents a brief overview of the background of Gradient-free tuning for large language models competition, the championship scheme, as well as the challenges and future directions.
Genomic Epidemiology of a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Outbreak in a US Major League Soccer Club: Was It Travel Related?
Authors: Carmola Ludy R , Turcinovic Jacquelyn , Draper Garrison , Webner David , Putukian Margot , Silvers-Granelli Holly , Bombin Andrei , Connor Bradley A , Angelo Kristina M , Kozarsky Phyllis , Libman Michael , Huits Ralph , Hamer Davidson H , Fairley Jessica K , Connor John H , Piantadosi Anne , Bourque Daniel L
Published: May 2023

Background

Professional soccer athletes are at risk of acquiring severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). United States Major League Soccer (MLS) uses protocol-based SARS-CoV-2 testing for identification of individuals with coronavirus disease 2019.

Methods

Per MLS protocol, fully vaccinated players underwent SARS-CoV-2 real-time polymerase chain reaction testing weekly; unvaccinated players were tested every other day. Demographic and epidemiologic data were collected from individuals who tested positive, and contact tracing was performed. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on positive specimens, and phylogenetic analyses were used to identify potential transmission patterns.

Results

In the fall of 2021, all 30 players from 1 MLS team underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing per protocol; 27 (90%) were vaccinated. One player who had recently traveled to Africa tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; within the following 2 weeks, 10 additional players and 1 staff member tested positive. WGS yielded full genome sequences for 10 samples, including 1 from the traveler. The traveler's sample was Delta sublineage AY.36 and was closely related to a sequence from Africa. Nine samples yielded other Delta sublineages including AY.4 (n = 7), AY.39 (n = 1), and B.1.617.2 (n = 1). The 7 AY.4 sequences clustered together; suggesting a common source of infection. Transmission from a family member visiting from England to an MLS player was identified as the potential index case. The other 2 AY.4 sequences differed from this group by 1–3 nucleotides, as did a partial genome sequence from an additional team member.

Conclusions

WGS is a useful tool for understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in professional sports teams.
AGAMOUS regulates various target genes via cell cycle–coupled H3K27me3 dilution in floral meristems and stamens
Authors: Pelayo Margaret Anne , Morishita Fumi , Sawada Haruka , Matsushita Kasumi , Iimura Hideaki , He Zemiao , Looi Liang Sheng , Katagiri Naoya , Nagamori Asumi , Suzuki Takamasa , Širl Marek , Soukup Aleš , Satake Akiko , Ito Toshiro , Yamaguchi Nobutoshi
Published: May 2023

The MADS domain transcription factor AGAMOUS (AG) regulates floral meristem termination by preventing maintenance of the histone modification lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) along the KNUCKLES (KNU) coding sequence. At 2 d after AG binding, cell division has diluted the repressive mark H3K27me3, allowing activation of KNU transcription prior to floral meristem termination. However, how many other downstream genes are temporally regulated by this intrinsic epigenetic timer and what their functions are remain unknown. Here, we identify direct AG targets regulated through cell cycle–coupled H3K27me3 dilution in Arabidopsis thaliana. Expression of the targets KNU, AT HOOK MOTIF NUCLEAR LOCALIZED PROTEIN18 (AHL18), and PLATZ10 occurred later in plants with longer H3K27me3-marked regions. We established a mathematical model to predict timing of gene expression and manipulated temporal gene expression using the H3K27me3-marked del region from the KNU coding sequence. Increasing the number of del copies delayed and reduced KNU expression in a polycomb repressive complex 2– and cell cycle–dependent manner. Furthermore, AHL18 was specifically expressed in stamens and caused developmental defects when misexpressed. Finally, AHL18 bound to genes important for stamen growth. Our results suggest that AG controls the timing of expression of various target genes via cell cycle–coupled dilution of H3K27me3 for proper floral meristem termination and stamen development.