bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multidisciplinary Investigation of a Polycythemia Vera Cancer Cluster of Unknown Origin
Authors: Seaman Vincent , Dearwent Steve M. , Gable Debra , Lewis Brian , Metcalf Susan , Orloff Ken , Tierney Bruce , Zhu Jane , Logue James , Marchetto David , Ostroff Stephen , Hoffman Ronald , Xu Mingjiang , Carey David , Erlich Porat , Gerhard Glenn , Roda Paul , Iannuzzo Joseph , Lewis Robert , Mellow John , Mulvihill Linda , Myles Zachary , Wu Manxia , Frank Arthur , Gross-Davis Carol Ann , Klotz Judith , Lynch Adam , Weissfeld Joel , Weinberg Rona , Cole Henry
Published: March 2010

Cancer cluster investigations rarely receive significant public health resource allocations due to numerous inherent challenges and the limited success of past efforts. In 2008, a cluster of polycythemia vera, a rare blood cancer with unknown etiology, was identified in northeast Pennsylvania. A multidisciplinary group of federal and state agencies, academic institutions, and local healthcare providers subsequently developed a multifaceted research portfolio designed to better understand the cause of the cluster. This research agenda represents a unique and important opportunity to demonstrate that cancer cluster investigations can produce desirable public health and scientific outcomes when necessary resources are available.
Charge-Transfer Controlled Crystallization of a Model Oligomer for Donor-Acceptor-Polythiophenes
Authors: Rieger Ralph , Enkelmann Volker , Müllen Klaus
Published: March 2010

A model donor-acceptor oligomer consisting of benzodithiophene-diketone and thiophene has been investigated with regard to its molecular packing and opto-electronic properties. The crystal structure suggests that the packing is dominated by charge-transfer interactions between the electron-rich part of the molecule and the electron-poor part. A series of observations corroborate this assumption, among them are a charge-transfer band in the film absorption spectra and exceptionally low π-π distances. A detailed analysis of the energetic levels of the present system reveals that only the HOMO level of the acceptor is shifted by conjugation to the donor. The results can contribute to the development of improved materials for organic electronics.
Biomimetic Silica Microspheres in Biosensing
Authors: Chemburu Sireesha , Fenton Kyle , Lopez Gabriel P. , Zeineldin Reema
Published: March 2010

Lipid vesicles spontaneously fuse and assemble into a lipid bilayer on planar or spherical silica surfaces and other substrates. The supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) maintain characteristics of biological membranes, and are thus considered to be biomembrane mimetic systems that are stable because of the underlying substrate. Examples of their shared characteristics with biomembranes include lateral fluidity, barrier formation to ions and molecules, and their ability to incorporate membrane proteins into them. Biomimetic silica microspheres consisting of SLBs on solid or porous silica microspheres have been utilized for different biosensing applications. The advantages of such biomimetic microspheres for biosensing include their increased surface area to volume ratio which improves the detection limits of analytes, and their amenability for miniaturization, multiplexing and high throughput screening. This review presents examples and formats of using such biomimetic solid or porous silica microspheres in biosensing.
Contribution of Renewable Energy Sources to the Sustainable Development of Islands: An Overview of the Literature and a Research Agenda
Authors: Jaramillo-Nieves Loraima , Del Río Pablo
Published: March 2010

Renewable energy sources (RES) have significant potential to contribute to the economic, social and environmental energy sustainability of small islands. They improve access to energy for most of the population, they also reduce emissions of local and global pollutants and they may create local socioeconomic development opportunities. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the theoretical and empirical literature on the contribution of RES to the energy sustainability of islands, focusing on the main results and the methodologies used. Papers are classified according to their coverage of the three dimensions of the triangular approach to sustainability (economic, environmental and social). The review also takes into account whether and how the procedural sustainability has been tackled in those papers. It is acknowledged that although several topics have been covered by the existing literature, there are promising avenues for future research on several fronts, both thematic and methodological.
HSP-Mediated Cytoprotection of Mesothelial Cells in Experimental Acute Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Bender Thorsten O. , Böhm Michael , Kratochwill Klaus , Lederhuber Hans , Endemann Michaela , Bidmon Bettina , Aufricht Christoph
Published: March 2010

♦ Background

Low biocompatibility of peritoneal dialysis solution (PDS) injures mesothelial cells but also induces heat shock proteins (HSP), the main effectors of the cellular stress response. This study investigated whether overexpression of HSP upon pharmacologic induction results in cytoprotection of mesothelial cells in experimental PD.

♦ Methods

Stress response of mesothelial cells upon exposure to PDS was pharmacologically manipulated using glutamine as a co-inducer. In vitro, HSP-mediated cytoprotection was assessed by simultaneous measurements of HSP expression using Western blot analysis and viability testing using release of lactic dehydrogenase in cultured human mesothelial cells. In vivo, detachment of mesothelial cells from their peritoneal monolayer was assessed following exposure to PDS with and without the addition of glutamine in the acute rat model of PD.

♦ Results

In vitro, mesothelial cell viability following exposure to PDS was significantly improved upon pharmacologic co-induction of HSP expression by glutamine (226% ± 29% vs 190% ± 19%, p = 0.001). In vivo, mesothelial cell detachment during exposure to PDS was reduced upon pharmacologic induction of HSP expression by glutamine (93 ± 39 vs 38 ± 38 cells, p = 0.044), resulting in reduced peritoneal protein loss (75 ± 7 vs 65 ± 4 mg, p = 0.045).

♦ Conclusion

Our results represent the first study of pharmacologic manipulation of HSP expression for cytoprotection of mesothelial cells following acute in vitro and in vivo exposure to PDS. PDS with added glutamine might represent a promising therapeutic approach against low biocompatibility of PDS but needs validation in a chronic PD model.
Electrical resistivity tomography applied to detect contamination on a dairy farm in the Pampean region, Argentina
Authors: Sainato Claudia M. , Losinno Beatriz N. , Malleville Horacio J.
Published: March 2010

On dairy farms, it is important to identify the degree of contamination that different management units, as localized sources, produce on soil and groundwater due to animal effluents. This information may be used to improve management practices in order to maintain not only environmental sustainability but also the standards of milk production. The aim was to test the performance of electrical resistivity tomography to detect anomalies of resistivity and to identify the relative impact, on physicochemical properties of soil and groundwater, produced by the effluents of the different management units of a dairy farm situated in the southern part of Santa Fe Province (Argentina). Twelve electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles were carried out and 2D models of the resistivity distribution were interpreted together with the physicochemical analysis of soil and groundwater samples. At the plots around the milking house, resistivity decreased in the non‐saturated zone between 60–84% relative to the background values, being the maximum value for the feeding zone, the most critical management unit, in agreement with sampling results. The surroundings of the lagoon of effluents showed a decrease of resistivity around 80%, even on the phreatic aquifer, due to flooding events in the past. Electrical resistivity tomography was sensitive enough to evaluate anomalies in the distribution of electrical conductivity associated with an increase of nitrates, sulphates and bicarbonates, in addition to phosphorous in soil and chlorides in groundwater, in all cases probably connected directly or indirectly with the animal waste.
IL-17–Mediated Monocyte Migration Occurs Partially through CC Chemokine Ligand 2/Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Induction
Authors: Shahrara Shiva , Pickens Sarah R. , Mandelin Arthur M. , Karpus William J. , Huang Qiquan , Kolls Jay K. , Pope Richard M.
Published: March 2010

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is mediated, in part, by proinflammatory factors produced by RA synovial tissue (ST) fibroblasts and macrophages, resulting in monocyte migration from the blood to the ST. To characterize the potential role of IL-17 in monocyte migration, RA synovial fibroblasts and macrophages were activated with IL-17 and examined for the expression of monocyte chemokines. The two potentially important monocyte chemoattractants identified were CCL20/MIP-3α and CCL2/MCP-1, which were significantly induced in RA synovial fibroblasts and macrophages. However, in vivo, only CCL2/MCP-1 was detectable following adenovirus IL-17 injection. We found that IL-17 induction of CCL2/MCP-1 was mediated by the PI3K, ERK, and JNK pathways in RA ST fibroblasts and by the PI3K and ERK pathways in macrophages. Further, we show that neutralization of CCL2/MCP-1 significantly reduced IL-17–mediated monocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity. We demonstrate that local expression of IL-17 in ankle joints was associated with significantly increased monocyte migration and CCL2/MCP-1 levels. Interestingly, we show that RA synovial fluids immunoneutralized for IL-17 and CCL2/MCP-1 have similar monocyte chemotaxis activity as those immunoneutralized for each factor alone. In short, CCL2/MCP-1 produced from cell types present in the RA joint, as well as in experimental arthritis, may be responsible, in part, for IL-17–induced monocyte migration; hence, these results suggest that CCL2/MCP-1 is a downstream target of IL-17 that may be important in RA.
Cutting Edge: IFN-γ Is a Negative Regulator of IL-23 in Murine Macrophages and Experimental Colitis
Authors: Sheikh Shehzad Z. , Matsuoka Katsuyoshi , Kobayashi Taku , Li Fengling , Rubinas Tara , Plevy Scott E.
Published: March 2010

IL-23 regulation is a central event in the pathogenesis of the inflammatory bowel diseases. We demonstrate that IFN-γ has anti-inflammatory properties in the initiation phase of IL-23–mediated experimental colitis. IFN-γ attenuates LPS-mediated IL-23 expression in murine macrophages. Mechanistically, IFN-γ inhibits Il23a promoter activation through altering NF-κB binding and histone modification. Moreover, intestinal inflammation is inhibited by IFN-γ signaling through attenuation of Il23a gene expression. In germ-free wild-type mice colonized with enteric microbiota, inhibition of colonic Il23a temporally correlates with induction of IFN-γ. IFN-γR1/IL-10 double-deficient mice demonstrate markedly increased colonic inflammation and IL23a expression compared with those of IL-10−/− mice. Colonic CD11b+ cells are the primary source of IL-23 and a target for IFN-γ. This study describes an impor-tant anti-inflammatory role for IFN-γ through inhibition of IL-23. Converging genetic and functional findings suggest that IL-23 and IFN-γ are important pathogenic molecules in human inflammatory bowel disease.
Nursing in Saudi Arabia: Reflections on the experiences of South African nurses
Authors: Van Rooyen Dalena , Telford-Smith Colette D. , Strümpher Johanita
Published: March 2010

The purpose of the study was to describe and reflect on the lived experiences of the South African nurses residing and working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design with a phenomenological approach was adopted. Data were collected by means of individual interviews and the personal journals of the nurses who met the sampling criteria. The data analysis was done according to Tesch’s descriptive method (in Creswell 1994). The main theme that emerged was one of ‘cultural diversity’. Sub-themes related to the nurses’ religious/spiritual, environmental, emotional/psychological and professional experiences were also identified. A literature control was undertaken to verify the results. Limitations were highlighted, conclusions were drawn and recommendations relating to nursing research, education and practice were made.OpsommingDie doel van die studie was om die lewenservarings van Suid-Afrikaanse verpleegkundiges wat in die Koningkryk van Saoedi-Arabië werksaam en woonagtig is, te beskryf en daaroor te besin. 'n Kwalitatiewe, verkennende, beskrywende en kontekstuele navorsingsontwerp of strategie van ondersoek, vanuit 'n fenomenologiese benadering, is vir die doel ingespan. Data is ingesamel aan die hand van individuele onderhoude met deelnemers wat aan die kriteria vir insluiting by die steekproef voldoen het en persoonlike joernale wat deur hierdie deelnemers bygehou is. Data- ontleding is volgens die beskrywende metode van Tesch (in Creswell 1994) gedoen. Die hooftema voortspruitend uit die navorsing was dié van ‘kulturele diversiteit’. Verdere temas ten opsigte van verpleegkundiges se godsdienstige/geestelike, omgewings-, emosionele/psigiese en professionele ervarings is ook geïdentifseer. 'n Literatuurkontrole is onderneem om die navorsingsbevindinge te verifieer. Beperkings is uitgelig, en gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings gerig op verpleegkundige navorsing, onderrig en praktyk is gemaak.
Fitness of four different mathematical models to the lactation curve of Brown Swiss cows in Konya Province of Turkey
Authors: Keskin I. , Dag B. , Sariyel V.
Published: March 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the fitness of Incomplete Gamma (WD), Exponential (WIL), Mixed Log (MIL) and Polynomial Regression (AS) models to the lactation curve of Brown Swiss Cows. Data were collected from 143 Brown Swiss cows raised on the Alt?nova State Farm in Konya Province, Turkey. Milk yield was recorded monthly, and milk records were started at the third week of lactation (mean = 16.9 day, SD = 0.7). Total milk yields estimated by the four models were very close to real total milk yield. The models were found to be adequate for estimation of milk yield. The MIL model underestimated the peak yield significantly. The differences between peak yields of the models and real peak yields were not significant and ranged from 27.70 to 29.01 L. All models forecasted peak time earlier than real peak time. The differences for the persistency values of the four models were significant. The AS model's persistency value was nearly equal to the real persistency value (77.56 vs. 77.59%). R2 values of the models changed from 86.05 to 97.95%. The AS model gave the best R2 and the least MSPE values. Consequently, the AS model showed the best fit to the lactation data of Brown Swiss cows and allowed a suitable definition of the lactation curve.Key words: Brown Swiss, cows, lactation curve, milk yield, mathematical model
Bacteriophages reduce Escherichia coli O157:H7 levels in experimentally inoculated sheep
Authors: Bach S J , Johnson R P , Stanford K. , McAllister T A
Published: March 2010

Bacteriophage biocontrol has potential as a means of mitigating the prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ruminants. The efficacy of oral administration of bacteriophages for reducing fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 by sheep was evaluated using 20 Canadian Arcott rams (50.0 ± 3.0) housed in four rooms (n = 5) in a contained facility. The rams had ad libitum access to drinking water and a pelleted barley-based total mixed ration, delivered once daily. Experimental treatments consisted of administration of E. coli O157:H7 (O157), E. coli O157:H7+bacteriophages (O157+phage), bacteriophages (phage), and control (CON). Oral inoculation of the rams with 109 CFU of a mixture of four nalidixic acid-resistant strains of E. coli O157:H7 was performed on day 0. A mixture of 1010 PFU of bacteriophages P5, P8 and P11 was administered on days -2, -1, 0, 6 and 7. Fecal samples collected on 14 occasions over 21 d were analyzed for E. coli O157:H7, total E. coli, total coliforms and bacteriophages. Sheep in treatment O157+phage shed fewer (P < 0.05) E. coli O157:H7 than did sheep in treatment O157. Populations of total coliforms and total E. coli were similar (P < 0.05) among treatments, implying that bacteriophage lysis of non-target E. coli and coliform bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract did not occur. Bacteriophage numbers declined rapidly over 21 d, which likely reduced the chance of collision between bacteria and bacteriophage. Oral administration of bacteriophages reduced shedding of E. coli O157:H7 by sheep, but a delivery system that would protect bacteriophages during passage through the intestine may increase the effectiveness of this strategy as well as allow phage to be administered in the feed.Key words: Escherichia coli O157:H7, bacteriophage, sheep, environment, coliforms
Associations of melanocortin 1 receptor genotype with growth and carcass traits in beef cattle
Authors: McLean Kim L , Schmutz Sheila M
Published: March 2010

Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R) is considered to be the main gene controlling the production of eumelanin or phaeomelanin, resulting in black or red coat colour of cattle. The recessive red allele, e, codes for a nonfunctional receptor, which does not bind the agonist alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), allowing for the production of phaeomelanin, or red pigment, whereas the dominant ED allele binds α-MSH leading to the production of eumelanin. We hypothesized that black cattle would have more α-MSH bound to MC1R, which could result in more α-MSH binding to the appetite suppressing receptor, Melanocortin 4 Receptor. We genotyped 328 crossbred steers of various colours that were purchased at weaning and fed until slaughter. Black cattle of ED/ED or ED/e genotype had increased back fat and required significantly fewer days (15-25) on feed to reach a target fat level for slaughter than the red cattle. Red cattle of e/e genotype were found to have a significantly larger longissimus dorsi (l. dorsi), shipping weight and hot carcass weight. Differences were comparable whether black versus red coat colour or MC1R genotype were used as the criteria for the group of cattle. Key words: Coat colour, MC4R, MC1R, α-MSH, shipping weight
Milk production responses of primiparous and multiparous dairy cows to dose of conjugated linoleic acid consumed in rumen inert form
Authors: Sippel M A , Spratt R S , Cant J P
Published: March 2010

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has the potential to be used as a dietary means of manipulating milk fat production of dairy cows to meet specified short-term targets, as in a supply-managed industry. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the dose-response to calcium salts of CLA fed as a top-dress on a corn- and alfalfa-based TMR. In two 5 × 5 Latin squares of 28-d periods, five primiparous and five multiparous cows were fed 0, 22, 45, 67 or 178 g d-1 CLA (29% trans-10, cis-12) as a calcium salt. Results from one multiparous cow on the 178 g d-1 treatment were removed from statistical analysis because milk production fell to 1.2 kg d-1 by the end of the period. On average, milk, lactose and protein yields increased at the lower doses of CLA and decreased to control levels at the highest dose. Milk fat yield declined progressively from 876 to 770, 689, 676 and 543 g d-1 on the five doses. Net energy balance of cows increased linearly from -1.5 Mcal d-1 on the control to 2.0 Mcal d-1 at 178 g d-1 CLA. The percentage depression in milk fat yield at different doses of trans-10, cis-12 CLA was described by the equation y = 54/(1 + 22.8/dose). Comparison with published literature suggested that feeding calcium salts of CLA was 30% as effective in depressing milk fat production as an abomasal infusion, due to rumen biohydrogenation and intestinal indigestibility.Key words: Milk composition, cattle, diet
Colostrum and milk fatty acids of dairy cows as influenced by extruded linseed supplementation during the transition period
Authors: Santschi D E , Wettstein H -R , Leiber F , Witschi A.-K. M , Kreuzer M
Published: March 2010

The effects of precalving fat sources on fatty acid (FA) profile of colostrum and milk and on metabolic parameters in early lactation were determined. Two fat supplements (target: 21% fat, DM basis) fed at 1.8 kg DM d-1 were compared: Control (C; containing fractionated palm oil rich in 16:0) and Linseed (L; containing extruded linseed, rich in 18:3n-3). Sixteen dry Holstein (n = 7) and Brown Swiss (n = 9) cows were assigned to four groups receiving the supplements from 5 wk pre- to 4 wk post-calving in different sequences: CC, CL, LC and LL. Treatments did not affect metabolic parameters, milk yield or composition. Linseed supplementation increased proportions of 18:0, 18:1, 18:2 and 18:3 in colostrum and milk (except 18:1 for colostrum). The highest n-3 FA proportion was observed in milk of LL cows. For most 16 and 18 FA, a fast response occurred within the first week of lactation for cows that switched treatments over calving. Carry-over to milk of 18:3 and its biohydrogenation products from linseed fed precalving was low. Pre-calving feeding strategies to favour incorporation of these FA into early lactation milk were not successful, but the reasons for this failure remain unclear.Key words: Linseed, omega-3 fatty acids, transition period, milk, colostrum, dairy cows
Genome size of the European domestic goose (Anser anser domesticus)
Authors: Andraszek K , Wójcik E , Grużewska A , Smalec E
Published: March 2010

This work is aimed at determining the C-DNA contained within the nuclei of different types of cells in the domestic goose Anser anser. Cells from the lungs, skin, pancreas, kidney, spleen, liver, heart, brain, blood, ovary and testicle were analysed. Cells from the blood, ovary and testicle were smeared onto microscopic glasses, whereas slides from the other organs and tissues were prepared using the paraffin technique. DNA content, as visualized by the Feulgen reaction using computerized image analysis, was examined in 200 nuclei of every type of cell. Chicken erythrocytes were used as reference material. Different concentrations of chromatin within cell nuclei were observed, from small, dispersed clods to an entirely filled nucleus surface. It was stated that the average C-DNA content in the domestic European goose amounts to 1.306 ± 0.327 pg, which gives goose DNA a length in base pair of 1.277 × 109 ± 0.320 × 109 bp after adjustment. The correlation between nucleus size and the C-DNA content was positive and high. In all cell types it exceeded 0.6. The highest was observed in lung and ovary cells, the lowest in skin and the pancreas. The majority of all cells (57.34%) contain DNA at the range between 1.0 to 1.5 pg, especially those from erythrocytes and the pancreas (82 and 76% respectively). Liver cells demonstrate a tendency toward an amount that is higher than 1.5% of the DNA (78.61% cells). Heart cells reveal a tendency downward (98.99% below 1.5 pg). Less than 1.0 pg of DNA was observed in 17.13% of all examined cells. Key words: Domestic goose, cell, cell nuclei, Feulgen reaction, genome size, DNA mass
Characterization of BMP2 gene expression in embryonic and adult Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat (Capra hircus) hair follicles
Authors: Su R , Zhang W -G , Sharma R , Chang Z -L , Yin J , Li J -Q
Published: March 2010

Mammalian skin consists of thousands of hair follicles, each undergoing continuous regenerative cycling including anagen, catagen and telogen. Hair follicle morphogenesis results in the appearance of fur in animals. Increasing evidence suggests that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) play an important role in the induction and progression to various stages of the hair follicle cycle. In this study, BMP2 mRNA expression level was investigated from different phases using real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and localized with in situ hybridization in adult Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat. qRT-PCR revealed that the expression of BMP2 in early anagen was 27.8 times greater than expression during late anagen phase. The in situ hybridization detected BMP2 expressed at days 75 and 115 in both primary and secondary hair follicles during the embryonic period. Further, BMP 2 was expressed in primary hair follicles in late telogen and in secondary hair follicles in early anagen in adult goat. However, it was found to be absent in both primary and secondary hair follicle in late anagen in the adult goat. BMP2 expression was found to be higher in late telogen and early anagen phases and lower in late anagen in the goat’s skin and hair follicle, suggesting that it may have a role in the regeneration of hair follicle.Key words: BMP2, expression, Cashmere goat, hair follicle, in situ hybridization, real-time PCR
Effect of dietary crude protein level on visceral organ mass, cellularity, and the protein expression of ATP synthase, Na+/K+-ATPase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and ubiquitin in feedlot steers
Authors: Wang Y J , Holligan S , Salim H , Fan M Z , McBride B W , Swanson K C
Published: March 2010

Twenty-four steers [initial body weight (BW) = 510 ± 4.9 kg] predominately of Angus breeding were used to determine the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) level [8.5, 10.7, 12.3 or 14.5%, dry matter (DM) basis; high-moisture-corn-based diets] on visceral mass, cellularity, and protein expression of ATP synthase, Na+/K+-ATPase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and ubiquitin. Steers were on dietary treatment for 28 d. Kidney, liver, and reticulorumen weights (g) increased linearly (P < 0.05) with increased dietary CP. Lung weight (g; g kg-1 BW) linearly increased (P < 0.05) with increased CP. Ruminal and small intestinal DNA concentration, and the ratios of RNA:DNA and protein:DNA in small intestine were affected quadratically by increased dietary CP (P < 0.05). Hepatic ATP synthase expression was affected quadratically with an increase when dietary CP increased from 8.5 to 10.7%, and a decrease when dietary CP increased from 10.7 to 14.5% (P < 0.05). Renal ATP synthase expression decreased linearly (P < 0.05) and small intestine mucosal Na+/K+-ATPase expression increased linearly (P = 0.05) with increased CP. These results indicate that increasing dietary CP increases liver, kidney, lung, and rumen masses, and differentially influences expression of proteins influencing energy utilization and efficiency in liver, kidney, and small intestine.Key words: Dietary crude protein, visceral organ mass, cellular energy metabolism, steer
Potential of warm-season annual forages and Brassica crops for grazing: A Canadian Review
Authors: McCartney D , Fraser J , Ohama A
Published: March 2010

Extension of the grazing season beyond the normal perennial grazing season has been identified as a potential mechanism to reduce the cost of production on Canadian cow-calf operations. This review will provide an overview of the potential use of warm-season and Brassica crops including corn (Zea mays), Golden German foxtail millet (Setaria italica L. Beauv.), kale (Brassica oleracea L.), forage rape (B. napus ssp. biennis L.) and turnip (B. rapa L.). These crops have a high yield potential, but the cost for grazing these crops has not been adequately compared with the cost of grazing oat (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and fall rye (Secale cereale L.). There are very few actual animal grazing trials evaluating the economics of using these crops in grazing systems in Canada, and this requires further research.Key words: Corn, millet, sorgum, sudan grass, fodder crops, brassicas
Acute phase response of piglets fed diets containing non-starch polysaccharide hydrolysis products and egg yolk antibodies following an oral challenge with Escherichia coli (k88)
Authors: Kiarie E , Slominski B A , Krause D O , Nyachoti C M
Published: March 2010

Acute phase responses (APR) in pigs fed non-starch polysaccharides hydrolysis products (HP) and egg yolk antibodies against K88 fimbriae (EYA) following oral challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (ETEC) were evaluated. The HP were products of incubating feedstuffs with a blend of carbohydrase enzymes. Forty, 21-d-old pigs (two pigs/pen) were assigned to four diets to give five pens per diet. The diets were: a control fed without or with 5 g kg-1 of HP and EYA either singly or in combination forming a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Following a 9-d adaptation period, pigs were bled and given an oral dose of ETEC. Pigs were then bled and feed intake recorded within 48 h post-challenge. Pigs fed HP ate more (P < 0.05) than pigs not fed HP during the ETEC challenge. Interaction between additives and time was observed for packed cell volume (PCV, P = 0.0002), in which case pigs fed the control diet showed lower PCV at 6 h post-challenge than pigs fed additives. At 48 h post-challenge, main effects (P < 0.10) were such that pigs fed HP-diets had lower serum haptoglobin and pigs fed EYA-diets had higher interleukin-6 compared with pigs fed non-HP and non-EYA diets, respectively. In conclusion, HP and EYA reduced the severity of ETEC-enteritis in piglets with some evidence of synergistic effects. Key words: Acute phase responses, egg yolk antibodies, non-starch polysaccharides, hydrolysis products, piglet diarrhea
Effect of propylene glycol supplementation on microbial protein production in transition dairy cows
Authors: Chibisa G E , Gozho G N , Mutsvangwa T
Published: March 2010

Limited research suggests that propylene glycol (PG) supplementation can have inhibitory effects on ruminal microbes. Our hypothesis was that PG supplementation would reduce microbial protein production. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of PG supplementation on microbial protein production in transition dairy cows. Sixteen pregnant cows (seven primiparous and nine multiparous) were paired based on expected calving dates and then randomly assigned within each pair to either a basal diet (control) or basal diet plus 624 g d-1 of PG. Diets were fed twice daily for ad libitum intake, and PG was fed in equal amounts as a top dress from day -7 to day 45 (transition period). Sample collection was carried out at three time intervals starting at day -14 ± 5, day 15 and day 38 relative to calving, with the first collection period (day -14 ± 5) being the pretreatment period. Propylene glycol supplementation had no effect on total urine purine derivatives (PD; allantoin + uric acid) excretion; consequently, microbial N supply, estimated using total urinary PD excretion, was not affected by PG supplementation. There was an increase in urine total PD excretion and, thus, estimated microbial N supply, with time relative to calving. Microbial efficiency did not change with time relative to calving and, therefore, the increase in dry matter intake during the post-partum period led to the increase in estimated microbial N supply. Results from this study indicate that supplementing PG over the transition period had no effect on microbial protein production in the rumen.Key words: Transition dairy cow, propylene glycol, microbial protein production
Enzyme addition facilitates the post-disease compensatory growth of broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Jia Wei , Slominski Bogdan A , Bruce Heather L , Nyachoti Charles M , Jones Richard O
Published: March 2010

In vitro incubation studies using a multicarbohydrase supplement showed a significant depolymerization of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) of soybean meal (SBM), canola meal and flaxseed meal, which was associated with the production of water-soluble NSP hydrolysis products. Effects of diet type and enzyme addition on growth performance of broiler chickens were investigated in a Clostridium perfringens challenge (109 CFU bird-1 on day 14) study. A total of 2640 male chickens were assigned to six treatments (wheat/SBM, unchallenged; wheat/SBM challenged; wheat/SBM + enzyme, challenged; wheat/flaxseed, unchallenged; wheat/flaxseed, challenged; wheat/flaxseed+enzyme, challenged). When compared with the wheat/SBM-based diets, birds fed flaxseed-containing diets had a decreased final body weight, an inferior overall feed conversion ratio (FCR), and an increased intestinal digesta viscosity (P < 0.01). Pathogen challenge caused mucosal lesions and increased (P < 0.05) the incidence of necrotic enteritis mortality with the highest mortality rate observed in birds fed the flaxseed diet without enzyme. Enzyme addition decreased (P < 0.05) the overall FCR from 1.88 to 1.77 and from 1.96 to 1.86 in challenged birds fed wheat/SBM and flaxseed-containing diets, respectively. In conclusion, feeding flaxseed had adverse effects on growth performance, and enzyme addition improved the nutritive value of flaxseed-containing diets, and facilitated the post-disease compensatory growth of chickens after C. perfringens challenge.Key words: Enzyme, flaxseed, Clostridium perfringens, broiler chicken
Zero-tannin faba bean as a replacement for soybean meal in diets for starter pigs
Authors: Beltranena E , Hooda S , Zijlstra R T
Published: March 2010

The nutritional value of zero-tannin (ZT) faba bean for starter pigs is poorly characterized. Five mash diets containing 0, 10, 20, 30 or 40% ZT faba bean in substitution for soybean meal were fed to 75 pens of 5-wk-old pigs for 21 d. Increasing the dietary level of ZT faba bean did not affect average daily weight gain, feed intake or feed efficiency (P > 0.05) for each weekly period and the entire study (days 0 to 21). Increasing the dietary level of ZT faba bean linearly increased apparent total tract digestibility of crude protein and P (P < 0.05), but not of dry matter, gross energy and Ca (P > 0.05). In conclusion, young pigs can be fed up to 40% raw, ground ZT faba bean (var. Snowbird) in full substitution for soybean meal in the starter diet.Key words: Digestibility, faba bean, growth performance, soybean meal, starter pig
Evaluating velvet antler growth in red deer stags (Cervus elaphus) using hand-held and digital infrared thermography
Authors: Bowers S , Gandy S , Dickerson T , Brown C , Strauch T , Neuendorff D , Randel R , Willard S
Published: March 2010

The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether velvet antler (VA) surface temperature gradients, as measured by either a single-spot infrared temperature (SST) sensor (SSTS; exp. 1) or digital infrared temperature (DIT) imaging (DITI; exp. 2), would pattern VA growth. In exp. 1, growth rates and SST were obtained from yearling (n = 8) and mature (n = 17) red deer stags (Cervus elaphus) every 14 d following eruption through day 56 in yearlings and day 112 in mature stags. In exp. 2, growth rates and DIT (main beam VA base, mid and tip temperatures) were obtained from red deer stags (n = 31) every 14 d following eruption through day 126. Background temperatures were recorded in conjunction with thermal antler measurements. In exp. 1, yearling VA base and tip SST were positively correlated with one another (P < 0.01); however, both measurements were also positively correlated with background SST (P < 0.05). In mature stags, VA base SST paralleled (P < 0.05) background SST measures, while tip SST did not change from day 56 through day 112. In exp. 2, VA DIT changed (P < 0.01) over time and differed (P < 0.01) between base, mid and tip. During the early growth period, VA temperatures increased (P < 0.05) from 38.9 ± 0.2°C at the base to 39.3 ± 0.2°C at the tip of the antler. In contrast, during the late growth period, DIT was higher (P < 0.01) at the base (36.8 ± 0.3°C) than at the tip (35.7 ± 0.3°C) of the antler. In conclusion, SSTS did not have the sensitivity to signify changes in antler growth rates. However, in exp. 2 using DITI, VA thermogenesis paralleled VA growth suggesting that DITI may have value in monitoring VA growth. Key words: Velvet antler, red deer, thermography
Nutritional value of high-fat oat groats fed to weaned pigs
Authors: Leterme P , Montoya C , Rossnagel B
Published: March 2010

Oat groats with high-fat (HFOG) content for weaned pigs were evaluated. The HFOG contained 95 g fat, 159 g crude protein and 5.4 g of apparently digestible lysine per kilogram DM. Weaned pigs (8.5 kg) were fed diets containing 0, 150, 300 or 450 g HFOG kg-1 DM for 4 wk. No difference in overall average daily gain, feed intake or gain-to-feed ratio was observed between treatments. In conclusion, HFOG can replace a mixture of wheat, canola oil and soybean meal (84:7:9) in diets for nursery pigs. Key words: Weaned pig, oat groats, nutritional value, digestibility, growth
Effect of grazing mixtures of alfalfa and orchardgrass grown in strips on the incidence of bloat in cattle
Authors: Veira D M , Lysyk T J , Thompson D J , Garland G J , Majak W
Published: March 2010

Steers were grazed on pastures with alfalfa and orchardgrass grown in monoculture strips with alfalfa covering 100, 75 or 50% of the ground area. The forages were maintained at an early stage of growth during the trial. The incidence of frothy bloat in cattle was reduced by 70 to 90% when grass was a component of the pasture. Given unconstrained free choice, the legume was preferred over the grass by steers. Key words: Steers, frothy bloat, Medicago sativa L., Dactylis glomerata L., mixed pastures, grazing
Simulated mesotrione drift followed by glyphosate, imazethapyr, bentazon or glyphosate plus chlorimuron in soybean
Authors: Brown L. R. , Robinson D. E. , Chandler K. , Swanton C. J. , Nurse R. E. , Sikkema P. H.
Published: March 2010

There have been anecdotal accounts of increased crop sensitivity due to herbicide drift followed by an in-crop herbicide. An experiment was conducted from 2005 to 2007 at Elora, Ridgetown, and Woodstock, Ontario, to determine the effects of simulated mesotrione drift followed by in-crop applications of glyphosate, imazethapyr, bentazon and glyphosate plus chlorimuron on glyphosate-resistant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] visual injury, plant height, plant density, shoot dry weight, and seed yield. As the rate of simulated mesotrione drift increased, there was an increase in soybean injury and a decrease in shoot dry weight, height, and yield. Simulated mesotrione drift followed by bentazon resulted in synergistic responses in injury shortly after application in some environments. This increase in injury was transient, with no synergistic responses in density, shoot dry weight, and yield. In contrast, antagonistic responses were observed when glyphosate, imazethapyr, or glyphosate plus chlorimuron were applied after simulated mesotrione drift in some environments. Further research is required to develop a better understanding of the interactions of drift followed by the application of an in-crop herbicide. Key words: Bentazon, chlorimuron, glyphosate, imazethapyr, mesotrione, synergism
Microsatellite diversity of soybean genotypes differing in bean pod mottle virus leaf symptom
Authors: Rouf Mian M. A. , Kang Sung-Taeg , Redinbaugh Margaret G.
Published: March 2010

Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) is a threat to soybean in most soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] growing states of the USA. In the absence of complete resistance of soybean to BPMV, partial resistance can play an important role in reducing seed-yield and seed-quality losses from this virus. The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate plant introductions (PIs) for expression of leaf symptoms under greenhouse conditions following inoculation with BPMV, and (ii) to determine the genetic diversity among soybean genotypes with differences in leaf symptoms of BPMV. Large significant (P ≤ 0.001) differences in expression of BPMV leaf symptoms among genotypes in the greenhouse were detected. A genetic diversity study was conducted on 48 soybean genotypes differing in leaf symptoms of BPMV using 271 alleles amplified by 84 microsatellite primer pairs. The average polymorphism information content for the microsatellites was 0.53 and the average number of alleles per microsatellite was 3.23. The soybean genotypes clustered into distinct groups based on their country of origin and/or their BPMV leaf symptoms. Based on the microsatellite data, the genotypes were clustered into seven groups. Groups 1, 2 and 4 included genotypes from China only, group 3 included genotypes from the USA only and group 7 included genotypes from Japan only. Group 1 consisted of genotypes with low leaf symptoms of BPMV while group 6 was formed of genotypes with high leaf symptoms of BPMV. Key words: Bean pod mottle virus, genetic diversity, Glycine max, simple sequence repeat
Yield and quality responses of irrigated timothy to fertilizer application in southern Alberta
Authors: McKenzie R. H. , Bremer E. , Pfiffner P. G. , Middleton A. B. , Dow T. , Oba M. , Efetha A. , Hohm R.
Published: March 2010

Timothy (Phleum pratense L.) hay production for export markets has expanded considerably in western Canada during the past decade. Fertilization practices for optimum yield and quality of irrigated timothy were investigated for 4 yr at two locations in southern Alberta. The efficacy of spring-broadcast urea and ammonium nitrate (AN) were similar and greater than that of controlled-release urea. The optimum N rate for dry matter yield was approximately 130 kg N ha-1 for the first cut and 110 kg N ha-1 for the second cut, depending on crop and fertilizer prices. Both green colour and brown leaf ratings increased with N rate, with optimum colour for the first cut obtained with 100 to 150 kg N ha-1. Digestibility was unaffected by N rate except when crops were very deficient in N. At the location where timothy was responsive to P fertilization, yields were similar with annual broadcast applications of 13 kg P ha-1 or one pre-seeding application of 86 kg P ha-1. Timothy yield and quality were not responsive to K fertilization, although high K removal rates may shorten the period until K deficiencies develop. High yields of timothy hay (average 11 Mg ha-1 yr-1) were consistently obtained with adequate N and P fertilization. Key words: Phleum pratense, controlled-release urea, ammonium nitrate, phosphorus, digestibility
Evaluation of the effect of qSB-9Tq involved in quantitative resistance to rice sheath blight using near-isogenic lines
Authors: Yin Y , Zuo S , Wang H , Chen Z , Gu S , Zhang Y , Pan X
Published: March 2010

Resistance to rice sheath blight disease that causes significant yield losses worldwide is controlled by multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL). The accurate resistance effect of qSB-9Tq, a major QTL that derived from the indica cultivar Teqing, was investigated by using a backcross population of Teqing and Lemont (the latter as the recurrent parent) and a set of near-isogenic lines (NIL) developed in this study. A strong pathogenic Rhizoctonia solani line, RH-9, was used for inoculation. Two different experimental designs were adopted. One was a completely randomized experiment in which plants that exhibited three different genotypes at qSB-9Tq locus were distinguished by detecting the marker genotypes flanking qSB-9Tq in the BC6F2 segregation population. The other was a randomized block design experiment with three replicates using the three NILs of qSB-9Tq. The combined results of the two experiments suggested that qSB-9Tq was a dominant resistance QTL and could reduce disease rating by approximately 1.0 using a 0~9 disease rating scale. The results of the study provide a strong foundation for the fine mapping of qSB-9Tq and its utilization in breeding.Key words: Near-isogenic line, quantitative trait locus, resistance effect, rice (Oryza sativa L.), sheath blight
Lightning common bean
Authors: Smith T. H. , Michaels T. E. , Lindsay A. M. , Pauls K. P.
Published: March 2010

Lightning is an upright short vine (type IIa) white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar intended for use in areas with greater than 2600 crop heat units. It has excellent yield potential in either wide or narrow row production and is resistant to races 1 and 15 of bean common mosaic virus. Seed has high cooking and canning quality. Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris L., white bean, common bean, cultivar description
OAC Redstar common bean
Authors: Smith T. H. , Michaels T. E. , Lindsay A. M. , Pauls K. P.
Published: March 2010

OAC Redstar is a determinate bush dark red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar with early maturity and good yield potential. It is resistant to races 1 and 15 of bean common mosaic virus as well as race 17 of anthracnose. Its seed has acceptable cooking and canning quality. Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris L., kidney bean, common bean, cultivar description
Glucosinolates in crucifers and their potential effects against cancer: Review
Authors: Sarıkamış Gölge
Published: March 2010

There is growing interest in the health-promoting properties of cruciferous plant species, and people are urged to incorporate these plants into their diet to fight cancer. Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates, the precursors of isothiocyanates, widely believed to protect humans against several forms of cancer. Iberin (1-isothiocyanato-3-methylsulphinylpropane) and sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanato-4-methylsulphinylbutane) are two isothiocyanates most abundant in broccoli that have been reported to protect against prostate, lung, breast and colon cancers. The aim of this review is to provide updated information on the importance of glucosinolates and their breakdown products (isothiocyanates) in delivering potential health benefits, and to describe the mechanism by which they act to provide these beneficial effects. Factors influencing the glucosinolate content of cruciferous vegetables, both from genetic and horticultural points of view, for future efforts to manipulate glucosinolate content of these vegetables are described. Finally, a brief summary of recent developments concerning crucifer intake and cancer prevention is provided.Key words: Brassica, crucifers, glucosinolates
Eurostar durum wheat
Authors: Clarke J. M. , Knox R. E. , DePauw R. M. , Clarke F. R. , McCaig T. N. , Fernandez M. R. , Singh A. K.
Published: March 2010

Eurostar durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] is adapted to the durum production area of the Canadian prairies. It combines high grain yield, high grain protein concentration, very strong gluten, and low grain cadmium concentration. Eurostar has similar straw strength to Strongfield, and slightly later maturity and similar disease resistance to other currently registered durum cultivars. Key words: Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn., durum wheat, cultivar description, yield, protein, disease resistance