bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular background of Rh D‐positive, D‐negative, Del and weak D phenotypes in Chinese
Authors: Shao C.‐P. , Maas J.‐H. , Su Y.‐Q. , Köhler M. , Legler T. J.
Published: March 2003

Background and Objectives The aim of this study was to elucidate the genetic background of D‐negative and Del in the Chinese population.

Materials and Methods We investigated nine D‐positive, 76 D‐negative, 26 Del and three weak D Chinese individuals by amplification and sequencing of the complete coding region of the RHD gene from genomic DNA. A new RHD polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers (PCR–SSP) method was developed with optimized specificity for typing Chinese individuals.

Results In D‐positive samples the RHD sequence was in complete concordance with RHD in other populations. In 12 of 76 (15·8%) D‐negative individuals we detected regions of RHD. Three new alleles were found. All 26 Del, as well as two weak D, individuals carried an RHD 1227A allele. In the remaining weak D sample we identified a weak D type 15.

Conclusions It should now be possible to correctly predict the RhD phenotype in Chinese subjects. Del can also be designated as a particular weak D type.
The Blood Stocks Management Scheme, a partnership venture between the National Blood Service of England and North Wales and participating hospitals for maximizing blood supply chain management
Authors: Chapman J. F. , Cook R.
Published: March 2003

Background and Objectives The Blood Stocks Management Scheme (BSMS) has been established as a joint venture between the National Blood Service (NBS) in England and North Wales and participating hospitals to monitor the blood supply chain.

Materials and Methods Stock and wastage data are submitted to a web‐based data‐management system, facilitating continuous and complete red cell data collection and ‘real time’ data extraction.

Results The data‐management system enables peer review of performance in respect of stock holding levels and red cell wastage.

Conclusions The BSMS has developed an innovative web‐based data‐management system that enables data collection and benchmarking of practice, which should drive changes in stock management practice, therefore optimizing the use of donated blood.
Nanofiltration of single plasma donations: feasibility study
Authors: Burnouf T. , Radosevich M. , El‐Ekiaby M. , Satoh S. , Sato T. , Amin S. N. , Savidge G. F. , Goubran H. A.
Published: March 2003

Background and Objectives Major technical developments have been made in recent years to improve the quality and safety of human plasma for transfusion and fractionation. The present study was performed to assess, for the first time, the feasibility of applying a nanofiltration process, using 75‐nm and 35‐nm mean pore size membranes (Planova® 75N and Planova® 35N), to human plasma.

Materials and Methods Ten apheresis plasma units were obtained from 10 plasma donors. Within 4 h of collection, plasma was subjected to leucoreduction and filtration (using 75‐nm and 35‐nm mean pore size membranes) at 35 °C, at less than 1 bar pressure. Aliquots of plasma were taken at all steps of the filtration procedure and numerous plasma quality parameters were measured. In addition, six hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐positive plasma donations were experimentally subjected to the same filtration sequence and subsequently assessed by RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and branched‐chain DNA‐quantification assays.

Results Leucoreduced plasma can be reproducibly nanofiltered onto a sequence of 75‐nm and 35‐nm membranes, at a flow rate of 450 ml/h and a temperature of 35 ± 0·5 °C. Some protein dilution, or loss, was found during filtration, but the plasma filtered through membranes with a mean pore size of 75 nm and 35 nm met in vitro specifications for use in transfusion or fractionation. There were no signs of activation of the coagulation system. HCV‐positive plasma donations became negative, as judged by PCR and branched‐chain DNA assay results, after filtration through the 35‐nm membrane.

Conclusions It is possible to apply a 75 + 35‐nm filtration process to leucoreduced human plasma. This technology may have important future benefits in improving the quality and safety of plasma, by removing blood cell debris and infectious agents.
Papillomatosis confluens et reticularis Gougerot Carteaud: erfolgreiche Therapie mit Minocyclin. Falldarstellung und Literaturübersicht
Authors: Khan Durani B. , Jappe U.
Published: March 2003

Zusammenfassung: Die Papillo‐matosis confluens et reticularis Gougerot Carteaud ist eine disseminierte, zu Konfluenz, netz‐förmiger Anordnung und Pigmentierung neigende makulo‐papulöse, teils verruziforme Hauterkrankung unklarer Genese. Pathogenetisch werden verschiedene Mechanismen diskutiert. Zum einen werden Assoziationen mit endo‐krinologischen Dysfunktionen wie Diabetes mellitus und Schilddrüsen‐funktionsdefekten beschrieben, zum anderen genetische Störungen der Keratinisierung. Neuerdings wird über Beobachtungen von kutaner Besiedlung durch Mikro‐organismen berichtet. Ein pathogenetischer Zusammenhang mit Malassezia furfur wird z. Zt. kontrovers diskutiert. Sowohl die antimykotische als auch eine antibiotische Behandlung war in Fällen von Papillomatosis confluens  et reticularis erfolgreich.  Wir berichten über zwei Patienten, bei denen die Papillomatosis confluens et reticularis nach 4 bis 6 Wochen Therapie mit Minocyclin (100 mg/Tag) zur Abheilung kam. Bisher veröffentlichte Kasuistiken zu Minocyclin und der Papillomato‐sis confluens et reticularis werden zusammengefasst und diskutiert.
Erythema induratum Bazin nach Lungentuberkulose
Authors: Memmel U. , Stücker M. , Altmeyer P. , Jansen T.
Published: March 2003

Zusammenfassung: Neben den kutanen Tuberkuloseformen, bei denen Mycobacterium tuberculosis in den Hautveränderungen nachweisbar ist, gibt es sogenannte Tuberkulide. Es handelt sich um kutane Erscheinungsformen bei hyperergischer Abwehrreaktion des Organismus in Form einer

 Id‐Reaktion auf Mykobakterien.

 Zu den Tuberkuliden werden das Erythema induratum Bazin, das papulonekrotische Tuberkulid und der Lichen scrophulosorum gerechnet. Wir berichten über eine 63‐jährige Patientin mit Erythema induratum nach durchgemachter Lungentuberkulose, erhöhter Tuberkulinschwelle sowie negativer Kultur und PCR auf Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Unter einer tuberkulostatischen Kombinationstherapie mit Isoniazid, Ethambutol, Rifampizin und Pyrazinamid zeigte sich bereits nach acht Wochen eine deutliche Abheilungstendenz. Die Hautveränderungen heilten mit hyperpigmentierten Narben ab.  Ein ätiologischer Zusammenhang zwischen Erythema induratum Bazin und Mykobakterieninfektion wird weiterhin kontrovers diskutiert, da der kulturelle Bakteriennachweis gewöhnlich negativ ausfällt. Neue Erkenntnisse haben sich durch molekularbiologische Verfahren wie die PCR‐Diagnostik ergeben, die in manchen Fällen, nicht jedoch bei unserer Patientin, positiv verlief. Die Abheilung unter tuberkulostatischer Therapie ist ein weiteres Argument für die Mykobakterienätiologie des Erythema induratum Bazin.
Früherkennung eines malignen Melanoms mittels computergestüzt videodokumentierter Auflichtmikroskopie von multiplen Pigmentmalen
Authors: Kowalzick L. , Waldmann T. , Mischke D. , Suckow S.
Published: March 2003

Zusammenfassung: Wir berichten über einen 34‐jährigen Patienten mit multiplen Pigmentmalen, bei dem computergestützt videodokumentierter Auflichtmikroskopie u. a. ein Pigmentherd an der Wade aufgenommen und dokumentiert wurde. Er maß 10,6 mm2. Mittels des rechnergestützten Tübinger Mole‐Analyzer wurden weitere Parameter für Rand‐ und Binnenstruktur ermittelt. Entsprechend den auflichtmikroskopischen

 ABCD‐Kriterien ergab sich ein Dermatoskopie‐Punktwert von 4,0. Nach einem Jahr maß der Herd mehr als 15,6 mm2. Die Werte des Mole‐Analyzers fanden sich zumeist in ungüstiger Weise verändert. Der Dermatoskopie‐Punktwert fand sich jetzt mit 7,5 deutlich erhöht. Der Pigmentherd wurde daraufhin exzidiert. Die histologische Aufarbeitung ergab ein superfiziell spreitendes malignes Melanom mit einem Invasionslevel von II und einer Invasionstiefe von 0,43 mm. Der vorliegende Fall zeigt, daß es mittels computergestützt videodokumentierter Auflichtmikroskopie möglich ist, entstehende maligne Melanome früh zu detektieren und in einem Stadium operativ zu entfernen,  in dem eine Heilung als höchst wahrscheinlich gelten kann.
Das Lewandowsky‐Lutz‐Syndrom: Die Erstbeschreibung und drei weitere Basler Fälle der Epidermodysplasia verruciformis
Authors: Häusermann P. , Lutter S. , Meigel W. , Rufli Th.
Published: March 2003

Zusammenfassung: Die Erstbeschreibung der Epidermodysplasia verruciformis geht auf die Basler Zeit von Felix Lewandowsky zurück. Neben der Erstbeschreibung der Epidermodysplasia verruciformis werden die drei weiteren Basler Fälle aufgeführt. Die teils historischen, teils aktuellen Fotografien werden erstmals nach der Originalpublikation umfassend publiziert.
TNF‐alpha‐Antagonisten in der Therapie der Psoriasis – Nutzen und Risiken
Authors: Mang R. , Ruzicka T. , Krutmann J. , Stege H.
Published: March 2003

Zusammenfassung: Es sind derzeit zwei TNF‐α‐antagonisiernde Medikamente auf dem Markt verfügbar: Etanercept, ein Fusionsprotein des p75 TNF Rezeptors und des IgG1 und Infliximab, ein chimerer human‐muriner monoclonaler Antikörper. Sie sind für die Behandlung der rheumatoiden Arthritis und/oder des Morbus Crohn zugelassen. Neue Erkenntnisse über die Rolle des proinflammatorischen Zytokins TNF‐α in der Pathogenese der Psoriaisis führten in open‐label und randomisierten Studien bei Patienten mit Psoriasis und Psoriatischer Arthropathie zum Einsatz dieser Substanzen. Obwohl größere randomisierte Studien erforderlich sind, die Resultate zu untermauern, konnten beide Substanzn ihre Wirksamkeit unter Beweis stellen, indem sie die Symptome der psoriatischen Arthropathie und der Psoriasis deutlich verbesserten. Weitere Studien und neue Indikationen werden den Stellenwert von Infliximab in der Dermatologie genauer bewerten.
Interactive Effects of Elevated CO2 and Moisture Stress on the Photosynthesis, Water Relation and Growth of Brassica Species
Authors: Mishra R. S. , Abdin M. Z. , Uprety D. C.
Published: March 2003

Interactive effects of elevated CO2 and moisture stress on photosynthesis, growth and water relation of Brassica species were studied using open top chamber technology. Brassica species responded to the elevated CO2 significantly under moisture stress condition. The adverse effect of moisture stress on the photosynthesis and plant water components were minimized by elevated levels of CO2. Drought susceptible species of B. campestris and B. nigra responded better to elevated CO2 compared to drought tolerant Brassica species such as B. carinata and B. juncea. The plant water potential significantly improved by elevated CO2 coupled with higher stomatal resistance and root growth.
Effects of soil drought during the vegetative phase of seedling growth on the uptake of 14co2 and the accumulation and translocation of 14C in cultivars of field bean (vicia faba L. Var. Minor) and field pea (pisum sativum L.) Of different drought tolerance
Authors: Grzesiak S. , Grzesiak M. , Hura T.
Published: March 2003

During the vegetative phase of growth of two field bean and two field pea cultivars of different drought tolerance, the effect of short and prolonged soil drought on gas exchange (CO2 i H2O), leaf water potential (ψ), stomatal diffusive resistance (rS), uptake of CO2, and the distribution and accumulation of 14C was studied. Differences in the response to drought conditions between resistant and susceptible cultivars were marked. After 5 days of soil drought, the decrease in net photosynthesis and transpiration rate and the increase of stomatal resistance were greater in the drought‐resistant cultivars than in the drought‐susceptible ones. In contrast, after 10 days of drought the decrease of leaf PN (CO2 assimilation rate), E (rate of transpiration) and ψ (water potential) was greater in the susceptible cultivars than in the resistant ones. Significant differences between the resistant and the susceptible cultivars were also observed in the assimilation and translocation of 14C by the green parts of the plant. The amount of carbon accumulation in roots in drought‐susceptible cultivars increased less than in the drought‐resistant cultivars. For treatments in which optimal soil watering was resumed after 5 or 10 days of drought there was no evidence of effects of drought on the majority of measurements, but the drought‐resistant cultivars showed a general tendency for a more rapid recovery. Our results confirm the existence of genetic variability in drought tolerance among the cultivars of field bean and field pea. The recorded differences in the response to drought of experimental cultivars may indicate that, under water deficit in the soil and in plant tissues, they may use different strategies to avoid the damaging effects of temporary limitation of water supply; for example, the drought‐resistant cultivars may more effectively conserve tissue hydration through effective stomatal closure. Also, the observed changes in carbon assimilation and accumulation might be the reason for their different responses to drought. The change in radioactivity losses in the control and stressed plants may result from the differences in demand for energy to maintain cell structure and function. Similarly, the less intense carbon accumulation in the roots of the sensitive cultivars could be caused by more harmful effects of drought on root growth.
Effect of Mulch from Selected Multipurpose Trees (MPTs) on Growth, Nitrogen Nutrition and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Kamara A. Y. , Akobundu I. O. , Sanginga N. , Jutzi S. C.
Published: March 2003

Leaf extracts and mulch from 14 multipurpose trees were used to test their effects on maize germination, growth and yield. Maize germination was significantly reduced by leaf extracts of all species with increasing extract concentration. The most drastic reductions were caused by Gliricidia sepium, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Lonchocarpus sireceus, Senna siamea and Leucaena leucocephala. Terminalia superba, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Pithecelobium dulce, Gliricidia sepium and Senna siamea significantly reduced maize root growth at the lowest extract concentration, while shoot length was most significantly reduced by Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Alchornea coordifolia, Pithecelobium dulce, Terminalia superba, and Tetrapleura tetraptera at all concentrations. Growth of maize in pots and yield in the field were controlled by nitrogen supply and uptake. Fast‐decomposing leaf material rich in nitrogen promoted growth and yield of maize. Thus Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium, both nitrogen‐fixing legumes with high nitrogen contents and fast‐decomposing leaf materials, significantly increased maize growth and yield. This suggests that the negative effects of leaf extracts observed in the laboratory are ecologically irrelevant in the field.
Enhancement of Tuberous Root Production and Adenosine 5′‐Diphosphate Pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) Activity in Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam.) by Exogenous Injection of Sucrose Solution
Authors: Tsubone M. , Kubota F. , Saitou K. , Kadowaki M.
Published: March 2003

Adenosine 5′‐diphosphate pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) is a key enzyme governing starch synthesis and is regarded as an important determinant of the sink activity of the sweet potato root. In this study, assuming that the expression of AGPase is under the direct or indirect control of sucrose, we investigated the effect of exogenous injection of sucrose solution into a plant on the activity of AGPase and tuberous root production. Sucrose solutions of 6 and 12 %, and distilled water as the control, were injected into the top of the shoot. The application of sucrose solution was effective in increasing tuberous root production and increasing the ratio of tuberous root weight to total root weight in a plant. AGPase activity in roots was enhanced by about 25 % by injecting sucrose solution. These results suggest that AGPase and sink activities are controlled by sucrose transported from the leaves. To increase sweet potato production effectively, AGPase activity and sink function must be enhanced, and so a genetic and physiological improvement in photosynthetic function or sucrose productivity in the leaves is necessary to increase AGPase activity in sink organs.
Effect of Soil Moisture and Potassium Fertilizer on Shoot Water Potential, Photosynthesis and Partitioning of Carbon in Mungbean and Cowpea
Authors: Sangakkara U. R. , Frehner M. , Nösberger J.
Published: March 2003

The effect of different rates of potassium (K+) on shoot water potential, photosynthesis and carbon movement (using 14C) at the V3/4 growth stages was studied in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek), a drought‐susceptible legume, and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp), a drought‐tolerant legume, grown under low‐ and high‐irrigation regimes under controlled conditions. Soil moisture and K+ affected all measured parameters in the two species. The rate of photosynthesis was higher at reduced water stress when K+ was applied. The impact was greater in cowpea, which had an inherently high rate of carbon assimilation. Mungbean and to a lesser extent cowpea allocated greater quantities of carbon to roots under dry conditions, especially with added K+. The distribution of 14C into other plant parts was also increased at higher rates of K+ application under both soil moisture regimes. Thus, application of K+ seems to have a beneficial effect in overcoming soil moisture stress and increasing physiological parameters and carbon partitioning in these two important tropical food legumes.
Stability Indices for Weed Management Systems in Forage Oat (Avena sativa L.)
Authors: Singh K. , Shukla G. P. , Rawat C. R. , Kumar Sunil , Hazra C. R.
Published: March 2003

A set of integrated weed management systems was assessed in forage oat (Avena sativa L.), cv. Kent, to compare efficiencies inter se in terms of mean forage productivity over different locations and different years, and relative agronomic effectiveness. Results for seven weed management systems were obtained for three consecutive years, i.e. 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98, at five locations of the Indian subcontinent. Two systems – use of weeder‐cum‐mulcher at the 3‐ and 6‐week crop stages (WCS) and use of weeder‐cum‐mulcher at the 4 WCS plus application of 2, 4‐D at 0.37 kg a.i. ha–1 at 6 WCS – were found to be effective and consistent over locations from year to year and over years from location to location. Pooled analysis over years and locations showed manual weeding at 4 WCS plus application of 2, 4‐D at 0.37 kg a.i. ha–1 at 6 WCS, on the one hand, and use of weeder‐cum‐mulcher at 3 WCS plus manual weeding at 5 WCS, on the other, to have equal efficiencies and to be more beneficial than the other treatments. Recommendation of the latter system is of particular interest as this system merely involves mechanical operations which provide the benefits of soil mulching and carry no risk of biotoxicity due to herbicides in crop plants or adverse effects on soil through uninterrupted use of chemicals.
Evaluation of the Effect of SoyaSignal Technology on Soybean Yield [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] under Field Conditions Over 6 Years in Eastern Canada and the Northern United States
Authors: Leibovitch S. , Migner P. , Zhang F. , Smith D. L.
Published: March 2003

Previous studies showed that inoculation of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] with Bradyrhizobium japonicum preactivated with plant‐to‐bacteria signal molecules increased nodule number, particularly at low root zone temperatures, thereby improving plant seasonal nitrogen fixation and final grain and protein yield under cool spring conditions. Two products carrying this technology, SoyaSignalTM and Affix+TM, were designed and tested at 127 locations in Canada and the United States from 1994 to 1999. A summary of the field test results shows that preincubation of B. japonicum with genistein and daidzein, as well as directly increasing the genistein and daidzein concentration in the soybean root rhizosphere, gave an average final grain yield increase of 7 %. The success of SoyaSignal technology was temperature dependent. The plants responded better to the SoyaSignal products when grown under cool soil conditions. Application of SoyaSignal to early planted soybean (before the soil temperature rose above 17.5 °C) increased yields by an average of 10 %. The responses declined with delayed planting dates. Soybean genotypes with high yield potential had greater yield increases than those with low yield potential. As the ratio of return to cost for SoyaSignal technology was 5.3 : 1 over the 127 site‐years, SoyaSignal technology can be used as a tool to improve soybean yield in production areas with cool springs.
Effect of Silver‐Sheet and Figaron on Flower Production, Abscission of Reproductive Organs, Yield and Yield Components in Soybean (Glycine max L.)
Authors: Nahar B. S. , Ikeda T.
Published: March 2003

Both silver‐sheet (a light reflector) and Figaron (a phytohormone), used individually, influence the production and abscission of reproductive organs during the reproductive stages of soybean. The combined use of silver‐sheet and Figaron, however, has a much larger effect on production and abscission than the use of each alone. Experiments were conducted in the field at Niigata University, Japan, to investigate the light intensity at the canopy attributable to light reflection by silver‐sheet and the individual and combined effects of silver‐sheet and Figaron on reproductive abscission, yield and yield components of soybean. The field study was conducted on a sandy loam soil at 25 and 16 plants m−2 in 1999 and 2000. The results of the 2‐year study indicated that Figaron had no effect on growth parameters, whereas silver‐sheet had an effect. Flower production in the Figaron and Figaron + silver‐sheet treatments tended to be lower than in the control and silver‐sheet treatments. Silver‐sheet increased the light intensity in the lower canopy of soybean through reflection, and thus the percentage of reproductive abscission in the lower canopy was lower in the silver‐sheet treatments than in the other treatments. Greater pod set was observed in the middle and upper canopies than in the lower canopy in the Figaron treatments. Therefore, total pod set or pod number was greater in the combined silver‐sheet and Figaron treatments. Yield and its components were greater at higher plant densities and tended to be greater in the combined treatments of silver‐sheet and Figaron. The increase of yield components in the combined silver‐sheet and Figaron treatments was believed to be a result of favourable light conditions and source–sink alterations in the canopy induced by Figaron.
Variation Between Barley Cultivars in Early Response to Weed Competition
Authors: Didon U. M. E.
Published: March 2003

An experiment was conducted with three spring barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. vulgare L.) cultivars of contrasting competitiveness to identify variations in their early competitive response to weed competition and to study canopy architecture and growth development at the early stages of cultivar growth. The aim was also to investigate whether differences in shoot morphology, growth development and competitive response could explain the differences in competitive ability against weeds. The barley cultivars were grown outdoors in boxes either in monoculture or in a mixture with white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) as a model weed. The experiment was run until the barley cultivars were in the stem elongation stage. The varieties with strong to medium competitive ability against weeds shortened the time of emergence in the presence of S. alba in contrast to the least competitive cultivar. The results also indicated that spring barley cultivars with strong competitive ability against weeds have an early stem extension as a response to weed competition and a low competitive response. Morphological traits, namely large length of the two first internodes, long main shoot in the tillering stage and a small leaf angle, may be important traits in competition for light.
Site Productivity, the Key to Crop Productivity
Authors: Sauerborn J.
Published: March 2003

If we call a significant yield increase in single crops a ‘green revolution’, then the first green revolution took place about 10 000–12 000 years ago, when humans started to cultivate land. This was also the beginning of civilization. Since then, humans have increasingly transformed the land and natural vegetation and have risen to be the main creators of the biogeosphere. Today, there is hardly any ecosystem around the globe that has not been influenced by humans. It was only in 1930 that the world population reached 2 billion, and since then it has increased to 6 billion in the year 2000. Because of this rapid increase, the demand for food, feed and industrial crops has grown enormously. Half of the 1.5 billion ha of arable land – 18 % of the biologically productive land area of the earth – was first cultivated only in the 20th Century, and mostly forest was sacrificed to meet this requirement. The second green revolution started only in the late 1960s when high‐yielding varieties of wheat and rice were designed to overcome the predicted hunger crisis. Great achievements were made, especially in relation to irrigated agriculture, while rain‐fed farming was hardly affected by this revolution. World agriculture today faces two major constraints to which not enough attention is paid by scientists and decision makers. First, we increasingly restrict our food basis to a limited number of plant species. Today, 65 % of the world's arable land is reserved for only 21 annual crops. Even more worrying is the fact that 60 % of our food energy and protein comes from only three cereals – wheat, rice and corn. Designing ‘functional’ food using gene technology to improve food quality, for example in rice, will speed up this process of constriction since diversified ingestion is no longer necessary to meet the daily required balance of food types. Secondly, arable land resources are under‐utilized because of poor management. Yields of rice, for example, are below the world average of 3.8 t ha−1 (1998) in 70 countries. If those countries achieved only the average level for their continent, for example 2.2 t ha−1 in Africa, world rice production could be increased by 17 %. There is a need to invest in better management of arable land to prevent further loss in productivity and simultaneously to investigate under‐explored plants to broaden our future food basis.
Generalized marker regression and interval QTL mapping methods for binary traits in half‐sib family designs
Authors: Kadarmideen H. N. , Dekkers J. C. M.
Published: March 2003

A Generalized Marker Regression Mapping (GMR) approach was developed for mapping Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) affecting binary polygenic traits in a single‐family half‐sib design. The GMR is based on threshold‐liability model theory and regression of offspring phenotype on expected marker genotypes at flanking marker loci. Using simulation, statistical power and bias of QTL mapping for binary traits by GMR was compared with full QTL interval mapping based on a threshold model (GIM) and with a linear marker regression mapping method (LMR). Empirical significance threshold values, power and estimates of QTL location and effect were identical for GIM and GMR when QTL mapping was restricted to within the marker interval. These results show that the theory of the marker regression method for QTL mapping is also applicable to binary traits and possibly for traits with other non‐normal distributions. The linear and threshold models based on marker regression (LMR and GMR) also resulted in similar estimates and power for large progeny group sizes, indicating that LMR can be used for binary data for balanced designs with large families, as this method is computationally simpler than GMR. GMR may have a greater potential than LMR for QTL mapping for binary traits in complex situations such as QTL mapping with complex pedigrees, random models and models with interactions.
Accounting for uncertainty in QTL location in marker‐assisted pre‐selection of young bulls prior to progeny test
Authors: STELLA A. , JANSEN G. B , BOETTCHER P. J. , GIBSON J. P. , LOHUIS M. M. , PAGNACCO G.
Published: March 2003

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the efficacy of marker assisted selection (MAS) could be improved by considering a confidence interval (CI) of QTL position. Specifically, MAS was applied for within‐family selection in a stochastic simulation of a closed nucleus herd. The location and effect of the QTL were estimated by least squares interval mapping with a granddaughter design and marker information was then used in a top down scheme. Three approaches were used to select the best bull within full sibships of 3 or 40 bulls. All three were based on the probability of inheriting the favorable allele from the grandsire (PROB). The first method selected the sib with the highest PROB at the location with the highest F‐ratio (MAX). The other two approaches were based on sums of estimated regression coefficients weighted by PROB at each cM within a 95% CI based on either bootstrapping (BOOT) or approximate LOD scores (LOD).

Accounting for CI increased the relative genetic gain in all scenarios. The average breeding value (BV) of the selected bulls was increased by 2.00, 2.60 and 2.59% when MAS was applied using MAX, BOOT and LOD, respectively, compared to random selection (h2=0.30). Selected bulls carried the correct allele in 63.0, 68.5, 67.6 and 50.1% of the cases for MAX, BOOT, LOD and random selection, respectively.
Estimation of variance components due to imprinting effects with DFREML and VCE: results of a simulation study
Authors: ESSL A. , VOITH K.
Published: March 2003

Treating gametes as homozygous diploid individuals, TIER and SÖLKNER (Theor. Appl. Genet. 85: 868–872, 1993) proposed a method which manages the use of available computer programs with a common animal model to estimate variance components caused by imprinting effects. Despite some relevant model restrictions, this approach has already been used in some field data analyses by an adapted version of the widely used DFREML computer program, subsequently indicated by DFREMLa. The main objective of this study was to ascertain the properties of DFREMLa by computer simulation and to examine other alternative estimation approaches. The most important results may be summarized as follows:

(1) Treating gametes as homozygous diploid individuals has the consequence that one‐half of the actually realized gametic effect is totally abstracted in variance component estimation. Thus, an additional adjustment of the phenotypic variance calculated by DFREMLa is necessary to get correct values of estimated variance component ratios.

(2) Adjusted DFREMLa estimates yielded correct results when animals were unselected and only maternal or paternal imprinting (not both simultaneously) occurred.

(3) When the model did not adequately account for the additive genetic component within a maternal lineage, significant upward biases for the cytoplasmic component were observed.

(4) The use of a simple dam and sire model with appropriate relationship matrices can be recommended when only the difference of maternal and paternal imprinting effects is of primary interest and the covariance between maternal halfsibs is not substantially increased by common environmental effects.

(5) An adequate estimation of variance components for all possible imprinting situations requires the use of an animal model augmented by both maternal and paternal gametic effects. Unfortunately, a computer program on the basis of such a model does not yet exist.
A genetic description of two selected strains of rabbits
Authors: KERDILES V. , DE ROCHAMBEAU H.
Published: March 2003

Two strains of rabbits (strains 1077 and 2066) have been selected since 1974 for increased litter size. Each strain is split into a fixed number of reproduction groups. The mating scheme is similar to random non‐sib herd mating. The number of animals per generation is higher in strain 1077 (28 mated bucks and 104 mated does) than in strain 2066 (17 and 59, respectively). The increase of the inbreeding coefficient is higher in strain 2066 than in strain 1077 (27 and 21%, respectively, at generation 20). The mean standard deviation of the individual inbreeding coefficients per generation is low (less than 4%) in both strains. Short‐term inbreeding is stable over generations. The observed inbreeding effective size Nef and the observed familial structure effective size Neh converge to the same value. The number of founder genomes still present in the genetic pool of the generation decreases regularly: from 5.6 to 2.4 between G6 and G20 for strain 1077. It is a bit lower over time for strain 2066 (from 5.7 to 1.9 between G6 and G20). The effective number of founders is nearly twice as small as the total number: 30 for strain 1077 and 15 for strain 2066. The effective number of major ancestors decreases slightly in strain 1077 (13.6 in G6 and 12.9 in G20) and regularly in strain 2066 (13.8 in G6 and 9.4 in G20).
Identification of new allelic variants in the ovine prion protein (PrP) gene
Authors: KUTZER T. , PFEIFFER I. , BRENIG B.
Published: March 2003

The association between scrapie and polymorphisms of the prion protein (PrP) gene was studied in 1108 German sheep of 33 different breeds. The aim of the investigation was the determination of the codons 136, 154 and 171 of the PrP gene, which are important for scrapie susceptibility. In addition to the published allelic variants ARR, ARQ, AHQ, ARH and VRQ, two novel, rare haplotypes (AHR and VRR) were found in the breeds of Texel, Nolana and Suffolk. A comparison of PrP genotype frequencies among the analysed different breeds revealed distinct variations. Breeds such as Texel showed a complex genotype distribution over 17 variants, while breeds such as Friesian Milk Sheep indicated only seven different genotypes.
Allele distributions of two novel SNPs within the sheep Cyp19 gene
Authors: Zsolnai Attila , Anton István , Fésüs László , Estonba Andone , Schwerin Manfred , Vanselow Jens
Published: March 2003

Oestrogen is an important regulator of reproduction and growth. The key enzyme of oestrogen biosynthesis, aromatase cytochrome P450, is encoded by the Cyp19 gene. In order to generate genetic markers for the sheep Cyp19 gene, two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), one located in promoter 2 (P2), the other one in intron 9 (I9), were identified by a comparative sequencing approach. The allele distributions of both SNPs were investigated by means of Polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR‐RFLP) in five economically relevant sheep breeds (British Milk Sheep, Carranzana, Latxa Black Face, Latxa White Face, Merino) and three ancient Hungarian breeds kept as gene reserves (Cikta, Racka, Tsigai). In British Milk Sheep, only the intronic SNP was present whereas in Merino, Cikta, Racka, Tsigai, Carranzana, Latxa Black Face and Latxa White Face, both SNPs could be found. This indicates that the newly identified SNPs can be used as markers for the Cyp19 locus in various sheep breeds.
Untersuchungen zum Einfluß einer Xylanaseergänzung in Legehennenrationen auf Weizenbasis 2. Mitteilung: Auswirkungen auf die Leistungsparameter
Authors: Oloffs Von K. , Samli E. , Jeroch H.
Published: March 2003

The influence of a xylanase supplement on performance of laying hens fed different energy‐graded, wheat‐based rations was tested in a 12‐week trial. Two varieties of wheat with different extraction viscosity were selected. In addition to the control ration, three test rations with reduced energy contents of −3, −6, and −9% were used. Sixteen groups, each consisting of 30 hens were kept in single cages. At the beginning of the experiment hens were 24 weeks old. Single eggmass and daily eggmass production showed a statistically significant difference. This was not caused by the enzyme supplement or the energy content, but by the variety of wheat. Interaction effects between variety of wheat, enzyme supplement and energy content became obvious with regard to the yolk colour. The influence of the enzyme on the yolk colour is positive and statistically highly significant. Thus, the addition of xylanase to wheat‐based rations does not affect the performance parameters of laying hens positively.
Effect of energy source and xylanase addition on energy metabolism, performance, chemical body composition and total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) of broilers
Authors: Dänicke S. , Halle I. , Strobel E. , Franke E. , Jeroch H.
Published: March 2003

Three diets containing either no supplemented fat (LF), 12% soybean oil (SO) or 12% coconut oil (CO) were fed to broilers to examine energy utilization in two experiments. Heat production and energy retained as fat and protein were measured in the first experiment using a respiration technique in combination with C‐ and N‐balance and controlled (pair‐fed) feeding conditions. Growth performance, carcass composition, chemical body composition and total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) were evaluated in a second experiment under ad libitum feeding conditions (from hatching to day 35). Moreover, each of the three diet types was tested with or without the addition of a xylanase‐containing enzyme preparation in the growth experiment. Energy utilization (experiment 1), expressed as the ratio between total retained energy and metabolizable energy intake, amounted to 0.33, 0.36 and 0.39 in LF‐, SO‐ and CO‐fed groups, respectively. Applying ad libitum feeding conditions in the second experiment caused a significant reduction in feed intake and weight gain in broilers fed the CO‐diet. The feed‐to‐gain ratio was significantly lower in birds given the fat‐supplemented diets. The highest degree of fatness as indicated by the highest percentage of abdominal and visceral fat and by highest total fat content was found in birds fed the CO‐diet. The higher the body protein content and the lower the body fat content, the higher the TOBEC value should be. This was confirmed when LF‐fed broilers were compared to their CO‐fed counterparts. However, fat type seemed to be related to TOBEC values since SO‐fed broilers had similar TOBEC values as CO‐fed birds, whereas chemical body composition was comparable to LF‐fed broilers. Xylanase addition significantly increased weight gain up to 21 days of age and decreased the feed‐to‐gain ratio slightly, whereas none of the other parameters were influenced by this treatment. An interaction between energy source and enzyme supplementation was not observed. It is concluded that feeding of coconut oil was most effective in terms of energy retention, but failed to induce an adequate performance under ad libitum feeding conditions due to a reduced voluntary feed intake. TOBEC measurements in relation to chemical body composition were rather inconclusive.
Untersuchungen an wachsenden Schweinen zum Futterwert einer neuen Ackerbohnensorte (Vicia faba L.) bei Ergänzung mit DL‐Methionin oder DL‐Methionin‐Hydroxyanalog
Authors: ABEL HJ. , BURGHARD G.
Published: March 2003

Investigations in growing pigs on the feeding value of a new cultivar of field beans (Vicia faba L.) supplemented with DL‐methionine or DL‐methionine‐hydroxyanalogue

A basal control mixture of barley, soy bean meal and soy bean oil was replaced by 25% of the new field bean‐cultivar `Divine' and the resulting two mixtures were supplemented with minerals, trace elements, vitamins and amino acids according to the ideal protein concept. The control diet was adjusted with DL‐methionine (DL‐Met), the field bean mixture either with DL‐Met or DL‐methionine‐hydroxyanalogue (DL‐MHA) assuming biological equivalence on a molar basis for both supplements. The three experimental diets were fed to growing pigs (35–40 kg bwt.). Spontaneous urine samples were analysed separately for determining parameters that characterize the acid‐base status of the pigs. There were no significant differences between experimental groups in nutrient digestibilities. The level of bacterially fermentable substances was increased in the diets containing field beans. The field beans contained 14 mg ME/kg DM. There were no significant (p < 0,05) differences in N‐ and mineral‐retentions (Ca, P, Na, K) between the treatments. The stronger alkalinity found in urine after feeding the field bean mixtures resulted from a higher electrolyte balance of the diet.
Effects of low‐dose leptin and gender on the physiology of the mouse (Mus musculus)
Authors: MUSTONEN A.‐M. , NIEMINEN P. , HYVÄRINEN H.
Published: March 2003

Exogenous leptin was given intraperitoneally to five male and five female mice at 0.2–0.3 mg/kg/day for 3 days. The plasma glucose and thyroxine concentrations as well as the hepatic and kidney enzyme activities were determined. The hepatic glycogen phosphorylase activity was suppressed by leptin treatment in the male mice. The other parameters were not significantly influenced by exogenous leptin, but there was a trend towards increased gluconeogenesis and glycogen storage due to leptin treatment. Enzyme activities of glucose and fat metabolism as well as the responses to leptin administration were sexually dimorphic. Discriminant analysis separated the control and the leptin‐injected males and females to four distinct groups. Leptin seems to have minor but widespread effects on the energy metabolism of a nonmutant rodent. In nature, one function of leptin could be carbohydrate preservation.
Adaptation to the digestion of nutrients of a starch diet or a non‐starch polysaccharide diet in group‐housed pregnant sows
Authors: Van Der Peet‐Schwering C. M. C. , Kemp B. , Den Hartog L. A. , Schrama J. W. , Verstegen M. W. A.
Published: March 2003

A trial was conducted with twenty group‐housed pregnant sows to study the adaptation in nutrient digestibility to a starch‐rich diet or a diet with a high level of fermentable non‐starch polysaccharides (NSP) during a time period of 6 weeks. The starch‐rich diet was primarily composed of wheat, peas and tapioca, whereas soya bean hulls and sugar beet pulp, which both are highly fermentable NSP sources, were used to formulate the NSP‐rich diet. The starch‐rich diet and the NSP‐rich diet were formulated to contain different levels of starch (298 vs. 78 g/kg) and fermentable NSP (100 vs. 300 g/kg), but a similar level of net energy (NE) (8.36 MJ/kg). The trial consisted of a 1‐week adaptation period followed by a 5‐week collection period. Weekly apparent faecal digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fat, ash and NSP were measured by using the acid‐insoluble ash marker method. Apparent faecal digestibilities of DM and organic matter (OM) of both diets were similar. Faecal digestibility of CP and crude fat was lower (p < 0.001) whereas that of NSP was higher (p < 0.001) for sows that received the NSP‐rich diet. Calculated NE values of both diets were similar. Sows fed the NSP‐rich diet produced faeces that contained a lower (p < 0.001) DM content compared with sows that were fed with the starch‐rich diet. The quantity of dry faeces was the same on both diets, therefore total faeces production (as‐is basis) was higher (p < 0.01) for the sows fed the NSP‐rich diet. During the 5‐week collection period, no changes were observed in the digestibility of DM, OM and NSP in the NE value of the diets. Digestibilities of CP and fat, however, were lower in week 1 (p < 0.05) compared with weeks 2–5 for both diets. The DM content of the faeces and the quantity of dry faeces did not change from weeks 1–5. Diet by time interaction was not observed for any of the response variables indicating that sows adapt as quickly to a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP as to a starch‐rich diet. The present trial shows that, with regard to digestibility of nutrients, pregnant sows completely adapt to a NSP‐rich diet (i.e., NSP from sugar beet pulp) in 2 weeks and that the time period necessary to adapt to a starch‐rich diet or a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP is similar.
Effects on health and blood plasma parameters of laying hens by pure nivalenol in the diet
Authors: Garaleviciene D. , Pettersson H. , Elwinger K.
Published: March 2003

The effects of trichothecene nivalenol (NIV) on the health and production of laying hens were determined in a feeding study. White Leghorn hens, 55 weeks old, were fed diets containing 0, 1, 3 and 5 mg NIV/kg during 50 days. Feed intake was reduced by NIV, but there were no effects on body weight, egg production and egg quality. Traces of unaltered NIV were found in liver and bile. Alkaline phosphatase in the blood plasma increased in the hens fed 0, 1 and 3 mg NIV/kg diet but decreased in the birds fed 5 mg NIV/kg feed. Total protein and glucose were slightly reduced in hens fed 5 mg NIV/kg diet. Pathological examination revealed that 40–75% of hens fed NIV (3 and 5 mg/kg) supplemented diet showed gizzard lesions, haemorrhages in the duodenum and swollen cloaca and oviducts with immature eggs while certain birds in the 1 mg NIV group showed light and fragile livers. NIV and the metabolite de‐epoxy‐NIV in faeces were found to constitute up to 10% of ingested NIV.
Small intestinal morphology and activity of intestinal peptidases in piglets around weaning
Authors: Hedemann M. S. , Højsgaard S. , Jensen B. B.
Published: March 2003

The effect of weaning on small intestinal morphology and the activities of three intestinal peptidases was investigated from 3 days prior to weaning to 9 days post‐weaning in 64 piglets. Villous height, crypt depth and mitotic counts were determined at three positions along the small intestine. The activities of aminopeptidase N, dipeptidylpeptidase IV and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase were measured at five positions along the small intestine. The villous height was maximal on the day of weaning. Post‐weaning, the villi shortened at the proximal positions of the small intestine and the minimal length was observed on day 3 after weaning. Villous height did not decrease distally in the small intestine. Increased crypt depth was observed from 3–7 days post‐weaning at all positions examined. Mitotic counts showed increased proliferative activity in the crypts from the third day post‐weaning. Weaning influenced the activity of aminopeptidase N and dipeptidylpeptidase IV. The activities declined until day 3 post‐weaning. After that, the activities increased and they had reached pre‐weaning values by day 9 post‐weaning. Weaning had only minor effect on the activity of γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase. In summary, weaning induced changes in small intestinal morphology and enzyme activity. The changes were maximal on day 3 post‐weaning and during the following days, a gradual recovery of the small intestine was observed.
Method for rearing gnotobiotic thrips
Authors: Gouli V. V. , Parker B. L. , Reid W.
Published: March 2003

An efficient method to produce gnotobiotic thrips is presented. The method was developed using western flower thrips and plant explants of chrysanthemum, poinsettia and jasmine in vitro. Larval development from egg hatch to pupation ranged from 8 to 22 days depending on the type of plant material they were reared on. Adults produced viable eggs and lived for about 34 days when reared on primary plant explants and callus with pigmentary cells. Callus without pigmentary cells was unsatisfactory for thrips development.