bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SAW PALMETTO BERRY EXTRACT INHIBITS CELL GROWTH AND COX‐2 EXPRESSION IN PROSTATIC CANCER CELLS
Authors: Goldmann Wolfgang H. , Sharma Amita L. , Currier Steve J. , Johnston Paul D. , Rana Ajay , Sharma C. Pal
Published: September 2002

The cytotoxicity of a commonly used material to alleviate the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Saw Palmetto Berry Extract (SPBE), was examined as neat oil using a set of prostatic cell lines; 267B‐1, BRFF‐41T and LNCaP. Proliferation of these prostatic derived cell lines is inhibited to different degrees when dosed for 3 days with SPBE. The amount of SPBE required to inhibit 50% growth (IC50) of these cell lines was 20–30nl equivalents of SPBE per ml of medium for cell lines 267B‐1 and BRFF‐41T and approximately 10‐fold more for the LNCaP cell line. The effect of SPBE dosing on these cell lines is not irreversible, since a 30min treatment with SPBE at an IC50concentration does not inhibit their growth. Normal prostate cells were inhibited by 20–25% when grown in the presence of 200nl SPBE equivalent per ml media. Growth of other non‐prostatic cancer cell lines, i.e. Jurkat and HT‐29, was affected by approx. 50% and 40%, respectively. When LNCaP cells were grown in the presence of dihydrotestosterone and SPBE, the IC50concentration decreased significantly compared to LNCaP cells grown in the presence of serum and SPBE. Reduced cellular growth after SPBE treatment of these cell lines may relate to decreased expression of Cox‐2 and may be due to changes observed in the expression of Bcl‐2. Expression of Cox‐1 under similar conditions is not affected because of its constitutive expression. Since increased Cox‐2 expression is associated with an increased incidence of prostate cancer, and decrease in its expression by SPBE would provide a basis for further investigation of its use against BPH and in prostatic cancer chemoprevention.
EFFECT OF NEONATAL INTERLEUKIN‐6 (IL‐6) TREATMENT (HORMONAL IMPRINTING) ON THE IL‐6 CONTENT AND LOCALIZATION OF THE PERITONEAL, BLOOD AND THYMIC CELLS OF ADULT RATS. A CONFOCAL MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS
Authors: Csaba György , Kovács Péter
Published: September 2002

Single treatment of newborn rat with human recombinant interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) durably increases IL‐6 content in certain cell types of the adult animal. Peritoneal mast cells contain a high quantity of IL‐6, in contrast to controls which contain no IL‐6. In addition, many other (mainly lymphatic) cells of the peritoneal fluid contain IL‐6. However, IL‐6 is present in the control thymocytes, in smaller amounts than in the neonatally IL‐6 imprinted cells. In the blood, the number of IL‐6 containing cells also increases after imprinting (lymphocytes and developing forms of mast cells).
IMPACT OF PROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY AND TUMORIGENIC CONVERSION ON MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION OF FIBROBLASTS IN 2D AND 3D CULTURE
Authors: Kunz‐Schughart L. A. , Habbersett R. C. , Freyer J. P.
Published: September 2002

The purpose of the present study was to examine mitochondrial function in differently transformed cells relative to their tumorigenic state and proliferative activity in vitro. An established two‐step carcinogenesis model consisting of immortal and tumorigenic rat embryo fibroblasts that can be cultured as monolayers and multicellular spheroids was investigated. Flow cytometric measurements were carried out using the two mitochondrial‐specific fluorochromes rhodamine 123 (Rh123) and 10‐N‐nonyl acridine orange (NAO), in combination with the DNA dye Hoechst 33342 for simultaneous cell cycle analysis. Since the accumulation of Rh123 depends on mitochondrial membrane potential, Rh123 fluorescence intensity gives an estimate of mitochondrial activity per cell, as determined by both overall mitochondrial function and mass. In contrast, NAO uptake reflects mitochondrial mass only, as it binds to cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane independently of membrane potential. Aliquots of cell suspensions derived from exponential monolayer, confluent monolayer, and a range of sizes of multicellular spheroids were stained with either Rh123 or NAO and Hoechst 33342, then mitochondrial mass and activity per unit cell volume and cellular DNA content were measured by flow cytometry. Differences in the average mitochondrial activity per cell in different cell lines and culture conditions were primarily due to alterations in cell volume. Importantly, tumorigenic conversion by ras‐transfection did not consistently change mitochondrial activity per unit cell volume. The mitochondrial mass per unit cell volume increased for all cells when cellular quiescence was induced, either in monolayers or spheroids. However, mitochondrial function (activity/mass) decreased when cells became quiescent, resulting in a positive correlation between mitochondrial function and S‐phase fraction, independent of transformation status or culture condition. We conclude that mitochondrial function reflects proliferative activity rather than tumorigenic conversion.
PATTERNS OF EXPRESSION OF MUSCLE‐SPECIFIC MARKERS OF DIFFERENTIATION IN SATELLITE CELL CULTURES: DETERMINATION BY ENZYME‐LINKED IMMUNOCULTURE ASSAY AND CONFOCAL IMMUNOFLUORESCENT ASSAY
Authors: Stewart Nathanial T. , Byrne Katherine M. , Ragle Claude A. , Vierck Janet L. , Dodson Michael V.
Published: September 2002

Equine satellite cell clone SE‐11 and ovine satellite cell clone I1were evaluated for expression of myosin heavy chain, myogenin, desmin, and muscle‐specific actin over a 240h period in culture. An enzyme‐linked immunoculture assay (ELICA) was capable of detecting these proteins at all time points evaluated. A linear relationship was demonstrated between the natural logarithm of the absorbance values (corrected for cell number) from the ELICA and percent fusion in both SE‐11 and I1cultures. The r2values for SE‐11 cultures were: desmin 0.82, muscle actin 0.81, myogenin 0.78, and myosin 0.70. The r2values for I1cultures were: desmin 0.77, muscle actin 0.72, myogenin 0.70, and myosin 0.61. Our confocal results support the idea that differences exist between species in the differentiation dynamics of satellite cells. Further, these data suggest that the ELICA may be applied to previously conducted experiments, enabling additional data to be obtained with relation to muscle protein expression.
EFFECT OF HUMAN OVIDUCTAL EPITHELIAL CELL CULTURAL MEDIUM ON CRYOPRESERVED HUMAN SPERM SURVIVAL
Authors: Zhu W. J. , Zhong Y. , Zhang C. X.
Published: September 2002

The human oviduct is known as a functional site for gamete transportation, retention, fertilization and zygote development. Previous studies have shown that human oviductal epithelial cell cultural medium (OECCM) has a positive effect on prolongation of sperm motility for some cryopreserved human sperm without cryodamage. However, for most cryopreserved sperm, OECCM could not improve their survival prolongation. In this study, we assessed the influence of human OECCM on the motility longevity of cryopreserved human sperm with an in vitro incubation method.
Peanut oil in vitamin A and D preparations: Reactions to skin test and manifestation of symptoms
Authors: Kull I. , Hallner E. , Lilja G. , Öhman‐Johansson A.‐C. , Öman H , Wickman M.
Published: September 2002

The aim of this study was to establish whether there is a link between sensitisation to peanut and exposure to peanut oil in vitamin A and D preparations. Forty‐one children with a positive in vivo or in vitro test towards peanut were included. Twenty‐one children had consumed vitamins A and D in oil solution, 14 in water solution, and 6 both types. Refined and unrefined peanut oils were obtained and skin prick test extracts were prepared. None of the children exhibited a positive SPT in response to the refined peanut extract. In contrast, 15 children exhibited a positive SPT to the unrefined extract. There was no significant difference in the number of children reacting clinically to peanut exposure who had received vitamins A and D in oil‐based or water‐based formulations. However, children with clinical allergy to peanut and who had exclusively consumed vitamin A and D in peanut oil, exhibited a greater number of different allergic symptoms upon consumption of peanut compared with clinical allergic children who had consumed the vitamins in water solution or both types (p < 0.01). This study indicates that sensitisation to peanut during childhood through consumption of vitamins A and D in oil‐based solution seems unlikely, but its consumption may contribute to the development of a wider range of clinical symptoms due to peanut exposure.
Improving water use of annual crops and pastures—limitations and opportunities in Western Australia
Authors: Tennant David , Tennant David , Hall David , Hall David
Published: September 2002

As part of a wider analysis of the potential role for lucerne in farming
systems being developed for containing the spread of salinisation, we have
reviewed information generated in Western Australia on opportunities for
improving the water use of annual crops and pastures. Substantial increases in
water use have been shown to be possible in a number of situations and
rainfall environments. Best gains, of the order of 40–70 mm, were
reported on deep sand and loamy sand soil types. These were achieved from
selection of deep-rooted and longer growing crop and pasture species, and from
amelioration of widespread traffic pans and subsoil acidity, and/or
selection of tolerant species. On more widespread gradational and duplex
soils, soil physical and chemical properties that restrict water infiltration
and/or root penetration to depth limit the potential to increase water
use. Increases in production and water use are still possible, depending on
the permeability of the lower horizons of these soils and on rainfall
distribution. At best, recorded increases on these soils were of the order of
5–15 mm in short season, low rainfall environments, and around 40 mm in
long season, high rainfall environments. These increases in water use were not
invariable. Increases in water use were not noted in dry years on all soils
and in all years on shallow duplex soils with impermeable B horizons.
Seasonality impacts on all outcomes and is a key issue on all soils and in all
rainfall environments.
Remobilisation of carbon and nitrogen supports seed filling in chickpea subjected to water deficit
Authors: Davies S. L. , Turner N. C. , Palta J. A. , Siddique K. H. M. , Plummer J. A.
Published: September 2002

In the Mediterranean-type environment of south-western Australia, pod filling
of chickpea occurs when net photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation is low as a
result of the onset of terminal drought. Remobilisation of carbon (C) and
nitrogen (N) from vegetative parts to developing seed may be an important
alternative source of C and N for seed filling. The contribution of stored
pre-podding C and N to seed filling was studied by labelling the vegetative
tissues with the stable isotopes, 13C and
15N, prior to podding and following their subsequent
movement to the seed. In ICCV88201, an advanced desi breeding line, 9%
of the C and 67% of the N in the seed were derived from pre-podding C
and N in well-watered plants compared with 13% of the seed C and
88% of the seed N in water-stressed plants. Furthermore, the
contribution of pre-podding C and N was higher for earlier set compared with
later set seeds. Pre-podding C and N were derived predominantly from the
leaves with relatively little from the stems, roots, and pod walls. Genotypic
variation in remobilisation ability was identified in contrasting desi (Tyson)
and kabuli (Kaniva) cultivars. In well-watered Tyson, 9% of the seed C
and 85% of the seed N were remobilised from vegetative tissues compared
with 7% of the seed C and 62% of seed N in well-watered Kaniva.
Water deficit decreased the amount of C remobilised by 3% in Tyson
compared with 66% in Kaniva, whereas the total amount of N remobilised
was decreased by 11% in Tyson and 48% in Kaniva. This was
related to the maintenance of greater sink strength in Tyson, in which the
number of filled pods was reduced by 66% in stressed plants compared
with a 91% decrease in Kaniva. This indicates that better drought
tolerance in desi genotypes is partly a consequence of better remobilisation
and higher pod number. These studies show that C and N assimilated prior to
podding can supplement the supply of current assimilates to the filling seed
in both well-watered and water-stressed chickpea. Remobilisation of
pre-podding N is an essential source of N for seed filling irrespective of
environmental stress.
Effect of species, plant part, and season of harvest on n-alkane concentrations in the cuticular wax of common rangeland grasses from southern Africa
Authors: Smith D. G. , Mayes R. W. , Raats J. G.
Published: September 2002

The use of plant alkane concentrations to measure diet composition of
herbivores has been shown to be a reliable technique in animals grazing
temperate, sown pastures that contain a relatively small number of plant
species. There is potential to develop this technique for use with free-range
animals foraging upon species-rich rangeland. In order for the technique to be
effective, the alkane concentration patterns (ACP) of the component species of
the diet must be distinct from one another. Common species of grasses from
southern Africa were analysed for their alkane concentrations in order to
evaluate the use of the alkane technique for measuring diet composition under
complex rangeland conditions. The alkane profiles were determined in different
plant parts from 40 grass species gathered during the wet season and 23
gathered during the dry season. Statistical analysis, using ANOVA, showed that
there were highly significant differences (P <
0.001) in the C 25, C 27 , C
29 C 31 , C
33 , and C 35 alkane
concentrations between flower head and stem during both the dry and wet
seasons. Similar statistical differences were apparent in the C
25 , C 27 , C
29 , and C 31 alkane
concentrations of leaf and stem during both seasons; differences in C
33 and C 35 concentrations were
significant but at a lower level (P < 0.01 and
P < 0.05, respectively). Differences in C
25 , C 27 , and C
29 alkane concentrations between flower head and leaf
were only significant (P < 0.001) during the wet
season. Statistical differences (P < 0.001)
between whole plant samples obtained in different seasons were due to changes
in the proportion of flower head, leaf, and stem. Cluster analysis often
showed less similarity between plant parts of the same species than between
whole plant samples of different species. It was concluded that ACPs measured
in the selected species were probably too similar and thus, plants could not
be identified using the alkane technique. However, it was possible to use the
alkane technique to determine the proportions of flower-head, leaf, and stem
in the diet.
Agronomic and breeding value of genes for resistance to leaf scald (Rhynchosporium secalis) in barley (Hordeum vulgare)
Authors: Jefferies S. P. , Barr A. R. , Hunt C. , Wheeler R. D.
Published: September 2002

Scald (Rhynchosporium secalis) is one of the most
damaging leaf and stem diseases of barley grown in southern Australia. The
development of resistant cultivars is the most effective means of controlling
scald. However, the highly variable nature of the scald pathogen has often
resulted in resistance conferred by single major genes being rendered
ineffective. Breeding and selection for non-race specific, durable resistance,
or the adoption of major gene deployment strategies such as gene pyramiding,
could largely overcome this problem. Four cultivars of barley (Guardian,
Halcyon, Sultan, Waveney) were evaluated as potential sources of scald
resistance, suitable for gene introgression and pyramiding programs in
southern Australia. Each of these prospective donor parents was backcrossed to
the susceptible recurrent parent Sloop through one cycle of backcrossing. All
4 cultivars were resistant to scald isolates common in southern Australia. No
factors, either deleterious or beneficial to grain yield, were associated with
scald resistance genes from Guardian, Halcyon, and Waveney. Scald resistance
genes carried by Sultan were found to be associated with lower grain yield.
Both resistant and susceptible first backcross lines derived from Guardian
produced a lower proportion of plump grain than the recurrent parent Sloop. A
greater number of backcrosses and large population size may be required to
successfully introgress scald resistance genes from Sultan and Guardian into
germplasm adapted to southern Australian conditions. The development of
molecular markers linked to resistance genes in these parents will allow
efficient introgression and pyramiding of scald resistance genes from Waveney,
Halcyon, and Sultan.
Defoliation frequency and cultivar effects on the storage and utilisation of stolon and root reserves in white clover
Authors: Lawson A. R. , Kelly K. B. , Sale P. W. G.
Published: September 2002

The effects of defoliation frequency (2 or 6 defoliations over a 91-day
period) on the reserve status and growth rate of 2 white clover cultivars,
cvv. Irrigation (medium-leafed) and Haifa (large-leafed), were examined over
the final 42 days of the defoliation treatments. The clover plants consisted
of single stolons growing in a sand/scoria mix in an unheated glasshouse,
and were fertilised weekly with a solution containing essential nutrients
excluding nitrogen.
More frequent defoliation reduced the leaf appearance rate, stolon elongation
rate, and plant size, and increased stolon death, with all of these effects
being less pronounced in Irrigation than in Haifa (18% v. 30%,
60% v. 80%, and 23% v 34%, respectively, for leaf
appearance rates, stolon elongation rates, and the proportion of stolon length
that died).
With infrequent defoliation, the combined utilisation of starch and
water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) reserves in the first 14 days after
defoliation was equivalent to 15% of the plant weight at defoliation,
and to 95% of the new leaf produced during that period. Frequent
defoliation reduced the reserve content and remobilisation less in Irrigation
than in Haifa, with the combined mass of remobilised starch and WSC over the
first 14 days after defoliation being 2.9% and 2.0% of the plant
weight at defoliation, and 29% and 19% of leaf production over
that period, for Irrigation and Haifa, respectively.
The greater reserve mobilisation in Irrigation than in Haifa plants under
frequent defoliation probably contributed to their higher growth rates and
reduced stolon death. These cultivar differences with frequent defoliation
suggest that Irrigation is more suited to frequent defoliation than Haifa.
Effect of sulfur fertilisation on oil accumulation, acetyl-CoA concentration, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity in the developing seeds of rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.)
Authors: Ahmad Altaf , Khan Ishrat , Abdin M. Z.
Published: September 2002

The effect of sulfur (S) fertilisation on oil accumulation, acetyl-CoA
concentration, and activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.2) was
determined in the developing seeds of rapeseed
(Brassica campestris L. cv. Pusa Gold) grown in the
field with and without S. The period between 14 and 35 days after flowering
(DAF) was identified as the active period of oil accumulation in the
developing seeds of rapeseed. The accumulation of oil was preceded by a marked
rise in acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity and acetyl-CoA concentration, which
declined rapidly when oil accumulation reached a plateau. Starch and soluble
sugar content decreased, while protein content increased during the period of
active oil accumulation in the developing seeds (i.e. 14–35 DAF). Sulfur
fertilisation significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the
oil accumulation in the developing seeds at all the growth stages except at 7
DAF. The increase in the oil content was 13.0–52.0% with S
fertilisation over the control treatment. Sulfur fertilisation also increased
acetyl-CoA concentration, acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity, and soluble
protein, sugar, and starch content in the developing seeds. It is suggested
that the increase in the oil content with S fertilisation may be associated
with increases in acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity through the enhancement of
acetyl-CoA concentration. Further, the increased sugar content due to S
fertilisation provided enough carbon sources for oil biosynthesis.
Dietary lupins (Lupinus angustifolius and Lupinus albus) can increase digesta retention in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs
Authors: Dunshea F. R. , Gannon N. J. , van Barneveld R. J. , Mullan B. P. , Campbell R. G. , King R. H.
Published: September 2002

Lupins are high in crude protein, cell wall materials, and gross energy but
uncertainty about the bioavailability of nutrients and adverse effects on feed
intake limit their use in the pig industry. Three experiments were conducted
to determine the effect of lupins on retention time in the digestive tract by
determining the average time it took for ingested polyethylene beads to pass
through the digestive tract of pigs fed wheat-based diets containing various
lupin species and fractions. In Expt 1, pigs were restrictively fed (1.8
kg/day) diets containing either predominantly wheat or predominantly wheat
plus 400 g/kg peas or L. angustifolius seeds or
kernels. The retention times of diets containing 400 g/kg of
L. angustifolius seeds or kernels were significantly
greater than those containing wheat alone (66.4 and 64.3
v. 48.8 h, P < 0.05, s.e.d.
= 7.7 h), while that for the diet containing 400 g/kg peas was
intermediate (55.8 h). In Expt 2 and 3, pigs were fed 1 of 6 wheat-based diets
balanced for digestible energy (DE) and amino acid composition and containing
either animal protein or 350 g/kg of peas, and
L. angustifolius seeds or kernels, or
L. albus seeds and kernels. Pigs were restrictively fed
(1.5 kg/day) for Expt 2 or fed ad libitum for Expt
3. The mean retention time of the L. albus diets was
greater than the other diets in both experiments. Feed intake and daily gain
were reduced in pigs fed diets containing L. albus.
Despite having lower feed intakes, pigs fed diets containing
L. albus had more digesta in the stomach and small
intestine at slaughter than the pigs consuming the diets not containing
lupins. Appropriate physical treatment or enzymatic supplementation of
L. albus diets may alleviate some of the feed intake
problems.
Soil factors influencing growth and yield of narrow-leafed lupin and field pea in Western Australia
Authors: French R. J.
Published: September 2002

Crop growth and grain yield of narrow-leafed lupin and field pea were compared
in 40 field trials in the Western Australian wheatbelt in 1988, 1989, and
1990. Trials were arranged in clusters of 2 or 3 in close proximity, but on
contrasting soil types. This enabled seasonal effects on growth and yield to
be separated from soil type effects. Soil pH ranged from 4.1 to 5.8 at the
surface and from 3.7 to 8.4 at 50 cm, A-horizon depth from 9 cm to >70 cm,
and clay content at 50 cm from 0 to 54%. Other soil properties also
varied across wide ranges. Some soil properties were closely correlated with
one another; pH, electrical conductivity (EC), gravimetric water content
(θg) at field capacity and at wilting point, and
depth of the A-horizon were all correlated.
Narrow-leafed lupin grain yield was 2.6 times as variable between trials
within locations as field pea yield, which, on average, was 32% greater
than narrow-leafed lupin yield. The pH, EC, θg) at
field capacity, and θg) at wilting point each
explained a large proportion of lupin yield variability on their own, but
because they were closely correlated with one another, it was not possible to
determine which had the primary effect on grain yield. I believe, on the basis
of other work, that pH is an important factor in its own right. A-horizon
depth explained 9% of the lupin trial variance but this was largely due
to its correlation with pH and other related soil properties. When the effects
of these were removed, depth still reduced the between-trial variance within
locations but did not affect species differentially. Bulk density also reduced
between-trial variance within locations without affecting species
differentially. Altogether soil properties explained 42% of the lupin
site variance but none of the pea site variance.
The pH and correlated soil properties also explained much of the species site
variance in dry matter production at maturity, but not in harvest index. Bulk
density and A-horizon depth had small, but significant, effects on harvest
index. Therefore, soil type affects grain yield in these species largely
through its effect on dry matter production.
I conclude that field pea is equally well adapted to the full range of soils
in this study. Narrow-leafed lupin does not yield as well on soils with
subsoil pH greater than 6.5 as on more acid soils. The depth of the A-horizon
is only useful as a criterion for judging the suitability of a soil for
growing narrow-leafed lupin insofar as it is correlated with pH.
Preliminary observations of tumour necrosis factor-alpha in the faeces of sheep following acute lactic acidosis
Authors: Clayton E. H. , Jones G. P. D.
Published: September 2002

Lactic acidosis resulting from excessive fermentation of starch by ruminants
can lead to many deleterious effects on the animal including shock and death
in severe cases. The exact mechanisms mediating this response are still
relatively unknown and the present study has examined the influence of lactic
acidosis in sheep on the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha
(TNFα), a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Lactic acidosis was induced in
6 Merino sheep by feeding 2 kg of barley-based pellets. Lactic acid levels
rose in rumen fluid and faeces from 0.5 to 32.1 mmol/L and 0.5 to 48.0
mmol/L, respectively (P < 0.05); whereas, pH
in both rumen fluid and faeces decreased from 8.22 to 5.18 and 7.05 to 5.00,
respectively (P < 0.05), after lactic acidosis.
TNF-· levels increased in faeces from 15 ng/g to 75 ng/g
(P < 0.05) 24 h and 12 h after ruminal and hind
gut lactic acidosis incidence, respectively. These preliminary findings
suggest the possibility of an immune response in the body to lactic acidosis
indicated by increasing TNFα levels. TNFα may be a
mediator of lactic acidosis and its presence may explain many of the secondary
effects observed after acidosis including laminitis and liver abscesses.
The effect of magnesium oxide supplementation on muscle glycogen metabolism before and after exercise and at slaughter in sheep
Authors: Gardner G. E. , Jacob R. H. , Pethick D. W.
Published: September 2002

This study was a series of experiments designed to test the influence of
supplemental magnesium oxide (MgO) on muscle glycogen concentration in sheep
exposed to stress (exercise) and the commercial slaughter process, and to test
the effectiveness of this supplement in the commercial scenario.
In Expt 1, Merino wethers maintained on a mixed ration (metabolisable energy
11 MJ/kg and crude protein 16.3% in DM) were supplemented with MgO
at the rate of 0%, 0.5%, or 1% of their ration for 10
days prior to a single bout of exercise and for 10 days prior to slaughter at
a commercial abattoir. The exercise regimen consisted of 4 intervals of 15
min, with muscle biopsies taken by biopsy drill from the
m. semimembranosis (SM) and
m. semitendinosis (ST) pre-exercise and immediately
post-exercise, and at 36 and 72 h post-exercise. Muscle biopsies were also
taken 1 week prior to slaughter from the SM and ST, with further samples taken
approximately 30 min post-slaughter. Ultimate pH (pHu) of the SM, ST, and
m. longissimus dorsi (LD) was measured 48 h after
slaughter. Sheep supplemented with MgO lost less muscle glycogen in the ST
during exercise, and repleted more muscle glycogen in the SM during the
post-exercise repletion phase, than unsupplemented sheep. The supplemented
animals also had higher muscle glycogen concentrations in the ST at slaughter.
In Expt 2, MgO was administered to Merino wether lambs for 4 days prior to
slaughter in the form of a water-borne slurry at a rate equivalent to
1% of their ration. This treatment resulted in significantly reduced
muscle glycogen concentrations in both the SM and ST at slaughter.
In Expts 3–5, MgO was used as an ‘in-feed’ supplement in the
commercial scenario. In each case, slaughter-weight Merino lambs were
supplemented with MgO at the rate of 1% of their ration for 4 days
prior to commercial slaughter. Positive responses were seen in 2 of the 3
experiments, with increased glycogen concentrations and a reduced pHu. The
animals that demonstrated no response to MgO had the lowest pHu after
slaughter, suggesting a minimal stress load, thus providing very little scope
for an effect of the MgO supplement.
We conclude that MgO can reduce the effects of exercise, leading to a
subsequent reduction in glycogen loss, and an increase in the rate of glycogen
repletion in skeletal muscle following exercise. The results support MgO
supplementation as a viable option for reducing the stress associated with
commercial slaughter.
Differences in fibre diameter profile characteristics in wool staples from Merino sheep and their relationship with staple strength between years, environments, and bloodlines
Authors: Brown D. J. , Crook B. J. , Purvis I. W.
Published: September 2002

This study examined differences in fibre diameter profiles (FDPs) and midside
characteristics of Merino sheep in 2 environments, 4 bloodlines, 3 years, and
44 sire groups. Environment significantly (P < 0.05)
influenced all characteristics except one measure of fibre diameter change and
staple length. Bloodline also significantly (P <
0.05) influenced all characteristics except staple strength. The maximum fibre
diameter, one measure of fibre diameter change, and staple length were
significantly different (P < 0.05) between sires.
Variation in fibre diameter profile characteristics between bloodlines and
sires changed across the environment in which the sheep are maintained.
Despite these differences between bloodlines and sires in the FDP, midside
mean fibre diameter, fibre diameter variation, and staple length, there were
no significant differences between bloodlines in staple strength.
The relationships between the FDP and midside characteristics with staple
strength were also examined over these bloodlines and environments.
Along-staple variation in fibre diameter (r =
–0.32 to –0.50), between-fibre fibre diameter variation
(r = –0.25 to –0.48), rate of fibre
diameter change (r = –0.16 to –0.38),
and midside variation in fibre diameter (r =
–0.25 to –0.51) were all negatively correlated with staple
strength. Maximum fibre diameter (r = 0.08 to
0.18), minimum fibre diameter (r = 0.25 to 0.49),
and midside mean fibre diameter (r = 0.09 to
0.35) were positively associated with staple strength. FDP characteristics
explained 5–30% more variation in staple strength than could be
explained using the standard midside characteristics of mean fibre diameter,
fibre diameter variation, and staple length alone. These relationships were
also different between environments and bloodlines. The inclusion of the FDP
characteristics as explanatory variables provided an alternative
interpretation for how absolute fibre diameter and fibre diameter variation
combine to explain staple strength. These results suggested that animals and
sires might be able to be selected on FDP characteristics to improve staple
strength. More detailed genetic studies are required before these selection
strategies can be recommended.
Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus infection of cool-season crop, annual pasture, and forage legumes: susceptibility, sensitivity, and seed transmission
Authors: Latham L. J. , Jones R. A. C. , McKirdy S. J.
Published: September 2002

Seven field experiments were done in 19944—98 to determine the
relative susceptibilities and sensitivities of a wide range of alternative
crop, annual pasture, and forage legumes to infection with cucumber mosaic
virus (CMV). Seed harvested from some species was tested for seed transmission
of the virus. Most of the 24 genotypes of
Cicer arietinum and 39 of
Lens culinaris tested in 2 replicated field experiments
were ranked as highly susceptible or susceptible; moderate resistance was
recorded in 8Lens culinaris genotypes, the most
resistant of which was ILL7163, and in C. arietinum cv.
Amethyst Mutant. Sensitivity varied from low to high in different
Lens culinaris genotypes, whereas in
C. arietinum they were all sensitive or highly
sensitive. In 4 other experiments, 12 species (49 genotypes) of other crop
legumes were ranked as follows: Vicia narbonensis
susceptible to moderately resistant, V. ervilia
susceptible, Pisum sativum resistant, and
V. faba resistant to potentially highly resistant;
Lathyrus cicera,L. clymenum,
L. ochrus, L. sativus,
L. tingitanus, V. benghalensis,
V. monantha, and V. s a t i v a
were not infected. V. ervilia
andV. faba were very sensitive to infection, but
V. narbonensis had intermediate sensitivity and
P. s a t i v u m was tolerant. When single genotypes of
each of 16 pasture and forage species were tested in 2 replicated field
experiments, 1 was highly susceptible, 3 were susceptible, 9 moderately
resistant, 2 resistant, and 1 was potentially highly resistant. The 4 most
susceptible were the sensitive species
Trifolium incarnatum and
T. isthmocarpum and the intermediately sensitive species
T. michelianum and T. vesiculosum.
T. squarrosum (intermediate sensitivity) and
T. spumosum (very sensitive) were resistant and
Ornithopus sativus was not infected. In sap
inoculations,
L. ochrus,L. sativus, and
P. sativum occasionally became infected. In aphid
inoculations,Lens culinaris ILL7163 and
V. faba became infected only rarely and
V. benghalensis cv. Popany developed a systemic
hypersensitive reaction. The following were not infected in the field or
glasshouse: L. cicera ATC80521,
L. clymenum C7022, O. sativus cv.
Cadiz, and V. sativa cv. Languedoc.Seed transmission of
CMV was detected for the first time in one crop species,
V. narbonensis(0.1mp;mdash;0.8%), and confirmed
in C. arietinum (0.2–0.3%) and
Lens culinaris (0.3%). It was also detected in
T. cherleri (0.05%),
T. clypeatum (0.05%),
T. dasyurum (0.1%),
T. incarnatum (5%),
T. purpureum (0.04%),
T. spumosum (0.5%),
T. squarrosum (0.1%), and
T. vesiculosum (1%), but not in 8 other pasture
or forage species.
The high susceptibility and sensitivity to CMV of some alternative crop,
annual pasture, and forage legumes is cause for concern, especially when they
are intended for sowing in CMV-prone high rainfall zones. Infection of seed
stocks with CMV is also of concern as it leads to inadvertent introductions of
the virus.
Monitoring regional agricultural water use efficiency for Hebei Province on the North China Plain
Authors: McVicar Tim R. , Zhang Guanglu , Bradford Andrew S. , Wang Huixiao , Dawes Warrick R. , Zhang Lu , Lingtao Li
Published: September 2002

Increasing competition for water in China, due to industrialisation of its
economy and urbanisation of its population, has led to the introduction of
water-saving agricultural practices in an attempt to increase agricultural
water use efficiency (Ag WUE). This study was conducted to assess whether
changes in management practices have increased regional Ag WUE for a focus
area covering 20% of the 300 000 km2 North China
Plain (NCP). An ‘input–output’ definition of regional Ag WUE
was used, where ‘input’ is the water available over the crop
growing season and ‘output’ is grain yield. Regional databases of
precipitation, irrigation, and yield from 1984 to 1996 were established in a
Geographic Information System (GIS) to calculate winter wheat and summer corn
Ag WUE on a county basis. For wheat, the average Ag WUE was 7.0 kg/ha.mm
in 1984, whereas in 1996 it was 14.3 kg/ha.mm. For corn, Ag WUE increased
from 9.0 kg/ha.mm in 1984 to 10.1 kg/ha.mm in 1996, although values
>11.5 kg/ha.mm were obtained for both 1991 and 1992. Time series plots
of the resulting Ag WUE, and its components, were generated to reveal spatial
and temporal variability. Counties with a relatively high mean Ag WUE in
combination with low year-to-year consistency have been identified as those
with the highest potential for improving Ag WUE management. Total county water
resources (WR) were also calculated for the time series, and county-basis
normalisation of Ag WUE and WR also showed that there have been recent
improvements in Ag WUE. For some counties in wet years, there may be an
opportunity to plant larger areas of crop to increase county level Ag WUE. For
the focus study site (and for the time series data available), it is most
likely that recently introduced water-saving agricultural practices in the NCP
are associated with improvements to Ag WUE.
Lucerne biology and genetic improvement - an analysis of past activities and future goals in Australia
Authors: Irwin J. A. G. , Lloyd D. L. , Lowe K. F.
Published: September 2002

Breeding methodologies for cultivated lucerne
(Medicago sativa L.), an autotetraploid, have changed
little over the last 50 years, with reliance on polycross methods and
recurrent phenotypic selection. There has been, however, an increase in our
understanding of lucerne biology, in particular the genetic relationships
between members of the M. sativa complex, as deduced by
DNA analysis. Also, the differences in breeding behaviour and vigour of
diploids versus autotetraploids, and the underlying genetic causes, are
discussed in relation to lucerne
improvement.Medicago falcata, a member of the
M. sativa complex, has contributed substantially to
lucerne improvement in North America, and its diverse genetics would appear to
have been under-utilised in Australian programs over the last two decades,
despite the reduced need for tolerance to freezing injury in Australian
environments.
Breeding of lucerne in Australia only commenced on a large scale in 1977,
driven by an urgent need to introgress aphid resistance into adapted
backgrounds. The release in the early 1980s of lucernes with multiple pest and
disease resistance (aphids, Phytophthora,
Colletotrichum) had a significant effect on increasing
lucerne productivity and persistence in eastern Australia, with yield
increases under high disease pressure of up to 300% being recorded over
the predominant Australian cultivar, up to 1977, Hunter River. Since that
period, irrigated lucerne yields have plateaued, highlighting the need to
identify breeding objectives, technologies, and the germplasm that will create
new opportunities for increasing performance. This review discusses major
goals for lucerne improvement programs in Australia, and provides indications
of the germplasm sources and technologies that are likely to deliver the
desired outcomes.
Improving the power of pasture cultivar trials to discriminate cultivars on the basis of differences in herbage yield
Authors: Smith K. F. , Kearney G. A.
Published: September 2002

A review of 7 recently published perennial ryegrass cultivar trials (from 6
contrasting environments) with data expressed as an aggregate of seasonal
harvests (autumn, winter, spring, and summer) revealed that the l.s.d.
(P = 0.05) varied between 4 and 255% of
the mean herbage yield of the trial in a given season, with 56 of 72 data
points having an l.s.d. (P = 0.05) >10%
of the trial mean. Power analysis of a perennial ryegrass trial that was
conducted at Heywood (Vic.) from 1997 to 1998, with a 16% apparent
difference in the total yield of a new synthetic and commercial cultivars,
demonstrated that this difference would have only been detected 45% of
the time. However, if the number of replications in the trial was increased
from 4 to 8, then it was predicted that this difference would have been
detected 70% of the time. In response to the data from this experiment,
a trial was sown in 1999 that compared 4, 6, and 8 replicates to detect
differences in the herbage yield of perennial ryegrass cultivars. In this
trial, differences that were detected (P < 0.05) with
8 replicates would have routinely gone undetected when 4 or 6 replicate
combinations were used. The use of a row–column design on the 8
replicates of the trial reduced the error variance of the trial by
5–12%, depending on the harvest. It was concluded that current
pasture cultivar trials are routinely failing to detect differences between
cultivars at an adequate level, given the rates of genetic gain in pasture
species. In order to increase this precision, the number of replicates in a
trial should be optimised on the basis of past data and the likely difference
between control and test cultivars. Once the number of replications in a trial
has been optimised then the use of row–column, or nearest neighbour
designs, and analysis, will further increase precision for little extra cost.
A review of the energy and protein nutrition of dairy cows through their dry period and its impact on early lactation performance
Authors: Stockdale C. R. , Roche J. R.
Published: September 2002

This review considers the current literature on the energy and protein nutrition of dry cows and its subsequent impact on early lactation performance. Energy intake close to calving appears to be critical to events that occur post-partum, such that a key objective of dry cow feeding should be to maximise or maintain feed intake immediately prior to calving, or at least to minimise the decline in intake. Although a decline in dry matter intake seems to be a normal adaptive event in peri-parturient ruminants, it is the magnitude and duration of the decline that are of concern. Most research has been undertaken using total mixed rations or conserved forage and concentrates, where a wide range of quantities and types of feeds have been used. However, no clear conclusions can be drawn regarding optimum levels of feeding, types of forage, or proportions of concentrates that should be fed to cows in the late dry period to minimise the intake decline. The importance of maintaining energy intake is associated with the reduction of the incidence and severity of metabolic diseases post-partum, by reducing triglyceride mobilisation from adipose tissue, and preventing excessive depletion of hepatic glycogen levels.
Detection and analysis systems for microsatellite markers in wheat
Authors: Rampling L. R. , Harker N. , Shariflou M. R. , Morell M. K.
Published: September 2002

This paper describes and discusses strategies for screening microsatellites
for use in plant genetic research and illustrates how a subset of useful
microsatellites can be optimised for implementation on breeding and research
using a range of techniques. Beginning with the initial screening of
microsatellites for potential polymorphisms in a core set of potential
parental lines, through to scaling up for mapping or breeding purposes, we
present a time- and cost-effective approach to microsatellite analysis in
wheat lines of interest. Each stage of this process benefits from a fresh
examination of the techniques applied in order to increase the efficiency with
which key markers can be identified and implemented.
For the primary screening we use primers without modification to prime PCRs in
the presence of f-dNTP (fluorescently labelled nucleotide) to provide the
basis for high resolution screening for polymorphisms. As markers are defined
for use in a breeding program, the focus changes to a smaller set of primer
pairs that will be used to screen large numbers of DNA samples either from the
analysis of progeny from a cross or the routine checking of cultivar identity
in the industry. We then examine appropriate analysis platforms and refinement
of PCR primers and conditions in order to identify procedures that can be
implemented widely, not just in specialised well-equipped laboratories. In
many cases we are able to use lower cost agarose analysis for identified
polymorphisms. Where this is not feasable we examine primers for potential
redesign to optimise their application either by altering the sequence of the
primer itself, based on available sequence information, or by adding tails to
the primers. The latter is shown to alter the ‘stutter’ pattern
that is commonly observed with wheat microsatellites so that a single band is
prominent and thus allows size polymorphisms to be more readily scored. The
addition of a generic 5′ tail also provides a method of using a generic
fluorescent primer that can be applied to multiple tagged markers in a
costeffective fashion. The potential of alternative analytical systems and
further refinement of primers to show plus/minus reactions with wheat
lines in order to produce simple tests for use in breeding programs are also
discussed.
Implementation of probes for tracing chromosome segments conferring barley yellow dwarf virus resistance
Authors: Zhang W. , Carter M. , Matsay S. , Stoutjesdijk P. , Potter R. , Jones M. G. K. , Kleven S. , Wilson R. E. , Larkin P. J. , Turner M. , Gale K. R.
Published: September 2002

Two PCR-based assays were examined for tracing the presence of a
Thinopyrum chromosome segment (Tc6 or Tc14) conferring
barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance in wheat breeding lines. The
microsatellite gwm37 was used to assay the Thinopyrum
chromosome segment or its wheat, Group 7, homoeologous segment, and was
effective in characterising breeders material since heterozygous lines could
be identified. A new set of primers derived from a
Thinopyrum-specific DNA segment (csTiB1) provided a
dominant marker that was readily scored by agarose gel electrophoresis. It was
also demonstrated that the csTiB1 primers could be used to establish a solid
phase PCR assay that avoided the requirement for gel electrophoresis and was
amenable to use in a high-throughput, microtitre plate format. Depending on
the number of DNA samples to be assayed, both primer pairs appear to have a
place in breeding programs.
Gluten protein functionality in wheat flour processing: a review
Authors: Gras P. W. , Anderssen R. S. , Keentok M. , Békés F. , Appels R.
Published: September 2002

Gluten protein functionality remains the basis of any understanding of the
end-product quality of wheat flours. Information about this functionality has
been obtained by both in vivo and
in vitro studies. Recent advances include
structure/function studies of deletion mutants and transformed genotypes,
where the genes incorporated were both naturally occurring genes and genes
which have been desired to provide specific structural features. The
contributions of these specific changes in structure to the rheology of the
resulting doughs allow insight into the underlying physical processes that
determine dough and end-product properties.
Diet selection and productivity of sheep grazing contrasting pastures
Authors: Chen W. , Scott J. , Blair G. , Lefroy R. , Hutchinson K. , King K. , Harris C.
Published: September 2002

A grazing experiment was conducted at the Big Ridge 2 site CSIRO, Chiswick
(30˚31′S, 151˚39′E), 20 km south of Armidale, New South
Wales, Australia. The site was established in 1955. In March 1966, phalaris
and white clover were sown and pastures were fertilised annually with
superphosphate until 1993. There were 3 pasture treatments, each with 2
replicates: degraded pasture (low phalaris content), phalaris-dominant, and
phalaris–white clover.
The effect of pasture type on animal production (liveweight gain and wool) was
only significant in 1996, when there were large differences in pasture
composition and production between the 3 pasture types. n-Alkane based
estimates showed that pasture degradation affected diet selection and nutrient
intake and thus sheep production. The estimates in this study also showed no
clear preference for a single pasture species over time and lack of strong
preferential selection for clovers when sheep were grazing 3 contrasting
pastures. Preferential selection of a particular species varied over time
depending on the presence and availability of alternative species. Although
there were large differences in total N and S intake and faecal output between
the 3 pastures, the proportion of the dietary nutrient used for production was
similar. This observation reveals the importance of further improving pasture
and grazing management, particularly in productive phalaris–white clover
pasture with high nutrient flux, to improve nutrient recycling through plant
uptake and retention by animals in the grazing ecosystem, and reduce losses.