bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Choice of forage crops for animal production in temperate perennial pasture-based grazing systems.
Authors: Stevens D. R. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Choosing a forage crop for animal production is a broad topic with many facets. This review has chosen to concentrate on the
in situ
use of forage crops within temperate-pasture-based grazing systems. However, the principle of understanding the deficiencies of the pasture-based system before choosing a forage crop applies to any geo-climatic zone. The literature of New Zealand and Australia highlights the potential to increase both stocking rate and per animal performance and the risk associated with introducing forage crops into a perennial pasture system. Higher yields and increased efficiency of use of resources such as water and nutrients are offset by the variability of both crop yield and the time out of production that is often dictated by climatic conditions. Increases in both technical knowledge of crop agronomy and grazing and labour requirements when feeding the crop also influence farmers' decisions and crop success. The final decision to choose an appropriate forage species or cultivar is a relatively minor part of the process that is well supported by the seed retail industry in New Zealand and Australia.
Recent advances in cat genetics.
Authors: Lyons L. A. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
The domestic cat has indirectly benefited from the human genome sequencing project, which has fostered new technologies and research designs that benefit all domesticated animals and breeds. Consequently, the genome project of the domestic cat has taken a significant leap forward, pouncing into the limelight. A variety of genetic tests for inherited cat diseases and phenotypic traits are now available, making genetic technologies and DNA testing common tools for cat breed husbandry and health management. Cat breeders and veterinarians can now use genetics to more efficiently breed cats, resulting in cats that also have lower risks of health concerns. As in humans, designer medicine, which is predictive, preventative, personalized and participatory, is a growing reality for the cat. The cat's own genome sequencing project is about to mature from its 'kittenhood', which will allow studies of complex diseases feasible in the near future. Common cat diseases, such as asthma, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, urinary tract syndromes and susceptibilities to infectious diseases, including feline infectious peritonitis, have some heritable component, whether found in fancy cat breeds or in the random bred house cat. Genetic resources developed from the cat genome project will assist the genetic evaluation of these traits, traits that are commonplace in the private practice clinicians' patient load. This review presents the current state of cat genetic testing, the current abilities of the feline geneticist, the expected resources, and outcomes of the cat genome sequencing project, and the role of veterinary specialists and private practice clinicians in feline genetics.
Safety and efficacy of early and high-dose parenteral amino acid administration to preterm infants.
Authors: Vlaardingerbroek H. , Goudoever J. B. van , Akker C. H. P. van den 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
With birth, an infant's continuous nutrient supply through the umbilical cord abruptly ends while the nutritional requirements remain high. Preterm infants do not tolerate full enteral feeding immediately after birth because of immature bowel functioning. Therefore, parenteral nutrition should be initiated as soon as possible, as a means to restrict the wasting of endogenous substrates and to maintain normal metabolism and growth. Nevertheless, many preterm infants fail to grow well, which may be related to inadequate administration of proteins, the driving force for tissue growth. Research has shown that relatively high doses of parenterally administered amino acids from birth onwards are safe for preterm infants and enhance protein accretion and thus growth. Future studies should also reveal the long-term effects of high-dose amino acid administration from birth onwards on neurodevelopment. In addition, effects of higher amounts of amino acids as well as those of early lipid infusion need to be defined.
Quality aspects of medicinal plants.
Authors: Gardner Z. E. , Craker L. E. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Medicinal plant quality can be defined as plant material and plant extracts suitable for human consumption or application and effective in treating the intended ailment. Ideally, such a definition would bring chemically consistent products, free of adulteration or contamination, to markets. The diversity within and among plant populations and the interactions of the plants with the growth environment along with both pre- and post-harvest crop management, however, can lead to significant alterations in the bioactivity of plants and plant extracts. To meet quality and safety requirements for medicinal plants, various groups have developed procedures, such as Good Agricultural and Collection Practices and Good Manufacturing Processes, to guide those responsible for producing, processing and dispensing medicinal plants to the consumer. An important aspect of these quality control measures is the identification and documentation of the plant material from field to final distribution. Education and the use of reference standards, microscopy, chromatography and other tools are helping to ensure that quality medicinal plant material reaches the market.
Biosynthesis of noble metal nanoparticles and their application.
Authors: Verma V. C. , Kharwar R. N. , Gange A. C. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Nanotechnology is one of the most significant research areas to emerge in the last decade or so. It is based on the concept of creating applications based on nanomaterials at the molecular level, thus we can describe it as the science of 'domesticating molecules'. Although it is a new tool to the scientific community, the importance and impact of this technology is already being felt. As nanotechnology evolves, we are moving beyond simple materials to the nanoscale materials to construct and redesign nanoscale solutions to large-scale problems. Such solutions help us not only in combating problems with size and sophistication but also in improving sensitivity. Synthesizing the nanomaterials is the primary step in addressing all nano needs. Besides the available chemical methods, the biosynthesis of the nanomaterials using microbial strains is now looking promising as a source for mining nanomaterials. 'Green nanomaterials' are now a major objective of research in nanotechnology. Fungal strains such as
Fusarium
,
Aspergillus
,
Verticillium
and some others are well documented for their potential to bioreduce metal ions. Bacteria and actinomycetes have also been evaluated and found promising for microbial mining of nanomaterials. Thus, the microbes may be used at an industrial scale for mining of nanomaterials in an alternative and eco-friendly manner. In this review, we emphasize the biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles from micro-organisms and to some extent from plants as alternative sources, and exploring their application in several areas such as agriculture, medicine and in pollution control. The coming era of nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize our lives, in which we can imagine sophisticated nanoscale machines that operate at atomic precision. These include molecular motors that mimic our muscles and can convert chemical to mechanical energy with extraordinary efficiency. Thus, the evolution of nanotechnology is certainly going to lead to far-reaching changes to human society, which we are just starting to feel today.
Animal models for elucidating human disease: confronting cancer and other chronic diseases.
Authors: Kuzmuk K. N. , Schook L. B. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
The incidence of chronic diseases is increasing, despite advances in clinical medicine. Human diseases are often difficult to decipher because of the complexity of genetics and lifestyles. As such, appropriate biomedical models are essential, since most medical knowledge, treatment regimes, and the development of medical devices that have contributed to clinical advancement are based on robust animal models. Animal models are essential tools for studying gene-gene interactions, gene-environment effects, and for preclinical testing of therapeutic interventions. Given that mice, the most common animal model, frequently do not faithfully recapitulate human diseases, pigs and other large mammals, such as the dog, will continue to serve as important biomedical models. This review discusses animal models used for understanding human diseases and highlights the advantages and disadvantages for each.
Dietary mitigation of enteric methane from cattle.
Authors: Beauchemin K. A. , McAllister T. A. , McGinn S. M. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Enteric methane from ruminants accounts for about 11-17% of methane generated globally, or 17-30% of methane from human activity. Methane arises from the activity of methanogens in the rumen that use hydrogen to reduce carbon dioxide, thereby preventing the accumulation of reducing equivalents, which would otherwise impede ruminal fermentation. Although this process is desirable from a fermentation perspective, it is energetically costly, as cattle emit 2-12% of their gross energy intake in this potent greenhouse gas (GHG). Many production practices aimed at increasing efficiency of production, such as including grain and ionophores in diets, also lower methane emissions. These practices were adopted long before issues arose over the role of methane from livestock in climate change. Dietary inclusion of free oils or oil-rich feeds (e.g. oilseeds, distillers' grains and micro-algae), biologically active plant compounds (e.g. condensed tannins, saponins and essential oils), rumen fermentation modifiers (e.g. yeast and bacterial direct-fed microbials), as well as improvements in forage quality may allow for further reductions in methane emissions from cattle. The optimum dietary strategy will depend on the particular farm, its geographic location, the feedstuffs available and the type of animals being fed. Reductions can occur as decreased methane output per animal per day or as decreased methane output per kg of meat or milk produced, but ultimately, it seems prudent that mitigation practices be assessed on the basis of the extent to which they reduce methane emissions per kg of meat or milk produced. Furthermore, potential mitigation practices need to be assessed from the perspective of the entire life cycle, as a reduction in GHG in one sector of the production cycle can often lead to changes in GHG emissions in another sector.
Do pets influence the quantity and choice of food offered to them by their owners: lessons from other animals and the pre-verbal human infant?
Authors: Day J. E. L. , Kergoat S. , Kotrschal K. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
All social animals influence each other's behaviour. One area of particular interest is the social interaction that occurs between pets and their owners. Within pet-owner dyads, food and feeding are always part of the dyadic ritual. In this review, we hypothesize that feeding can be considered to be a push-pull relationship where pets are, at least in part, able to 'negotiate' with their owner to influence 'when', 'what' and 'how much' they are fed. We examine the evidence that supports this hypothesis by appraising similar studies of other animals and the pre-verbal human infant. First, we review the differences in approaches and methodologies that exist between disciplines within the behavioural sciences. Second, the feeding behaviour of neonatal wild animals and pre-verbal infants is examined in terms of its causation, ontogeny, phytogeny and adaptation. Finally, the resulting knowledge concerning begging as honest signals of need, scramble competition, reconciliation and consolation is applied to domestic pets with the objective of understanding of how owners are influenced by the feeding behaviour of their pets.
Treatment and control of enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
infections in pigs.
Authors: Hodgson K. R. , Barton M. D. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
(ETEC) are the most common bacterial cause of gastrointestinal disease and diarrhoea in the world, including travellers' diarrhoea and severe infection in some animal species, particularly calves and piglets. Many similarities exist between infections in animals and humans and extensive research has been done into the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of ETEC infections. ETEC is an important infective agent in post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) of piglets, leading to serious animal welfare issues and economic loss through decreased growth rate, mortality (estimated at 2-5%) and medication requirements. Virulence of ETEC strains is characterized by production of adhesins specific to intestinal receptors and potent enterotoxins that generate the disease symptoms. It is a complex multi-factorial condition with decreased passive immunity, stress induction, physiological changes in the gastrointestinal tract, genetic susceptibility, diet and viral infections all implicated in the infection. There has been a worldwide increase in incidence of PWD, most notably as a result of antibiotic-resistant strains of
E. coli
, and although the reasons for this are not fully understood it is likely that contributing factors include changes to husbandry practices, weaning at a younger age and prophylactic or growth promotional use of low-dose antibiotics. Strategies for prevention and treatment include antibiotics, vaccination, diet and supplements, prebiotics, probiotics, bacteriophage and breeding for resistance.
Microarray analyses to study plant defence and rhizosphere-microbe interactions.
Authors: Schenk P. M. , Choo JinHsien Choo JinHsien , Wong ChinLin Wong ChinLin 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Plant defence responses are mediated by key regulatory proteins that affect expression of thousands of genes. Over the last decade, microarrays have played a pivotal role to elucidate the underlying networks of gene regulation that lead to a wide variety of defence responses. Undoubtedly, they provided a valuable tool to quantify and profile the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously, with two main aims: (1) gene discovery and (2) global expression profiling. The usefulness of this reverse genetics approach has been demonstrated by numerous discoveries of key regulatory genes important for defence signalling as well as valuable end-point genes whose products display direct action against pests and diseases. Several microarray technologies are currently in use; most include a glass slide platform with spotted cDNA or oligonucleotides, some of which are synthesized directly on the underlying substrate. The frequent use of microarrays has enabled the creation of powerful microarray databases that allow researchers a rapid retrieval of gene expression profiles from various treatments and tissues. While physiological pathways are in parts positively or negatively linked, the discovery of a regulatory defence signalling network by microarrays has demonstrated that ultimately genes and their products, and not pathways are controlled by regulation. Future research should focus on simultaneous time-course analyses of host cells and pathogens to fully understand the biology of disease progression. In addition, most research on plant defence responses has focused on single pathogens, pests and/or signalling compounds. However, plants in nature grow under the influence of multiple environmental stresses while interacting immensely with other organisms. Recent studies of plant-microbe interactions have revealed transcriptional responses of plants to multiple organisms. New technology has enabled a metatranscriptomics approach that will allow the analysis of plants interacting with entire microbial communities, such as those present in the rhizosphere.
Factors affecting utility of
Chilocorus nigritus
(F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) as a biocontrol agent.
Authors: Ponsonby D. J. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Chilocorus nigritus
(F.) has been one of the most successful coccidophagous coccinellids in the history of classical biological control. It is an effective predator of many species of Diaspididae, some Coccidae and some Asterolecaniidae, with an ability to colonize a relatively wide range of tropical and sub-tropical environments. It appears to have few natural enemies, a rapid numerical response and an excellent capacity to coexist in stable relationships with parasitoids. A great deal of literature relating to its distribution, biology, ecology, mass rearing and prey preferences exists, but there is much ambiguity and the beetle sometimes inexplicably fails to establish, even when conditions are apparently favourable. This review brings together the key research relating to factors that affect its utility in biocontrol programmes, including its use in indoor landscapes and temperate glasshouses. Data are collated and interpreted and areas where knowledge is lacking are identified. Recommendations are made for prioritizing further research and improving its use in biocontrol programmes.
Comparing impacts of plant extracts and pure allelochemicals and implications for pest control.
Authors: Opender Koul Opender Koul , Suresh Walia Suresh Walia 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Many plant extracts or allelochemicals show a broad spectrum of activity against pests and such products have long been touted as attractive alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides for pest management because they pose little threat to the environment or to human health. The studies available suggest that plant-based materials do affect arthropod pests, vectors and other pathogens, yet only a handful of botanicals are currently used in agriculture in the industrialized world, and there are few prospects for commercial development of new botanical products. Secondary allelochemicals from plants are usually commercialized as single, concentrated compounds, despite research showing that compound mixtures reduce pest resistance better than single compounds. Several factors appear to limit the success of botanicals, most notably regulatory barriers and the availability of competing products of microbial origin and fermentation products that are cost-effective and relatively safe compared with their predecessors. In the context of agricultural pest management, botanical pesticides are best suited for use in organic food production in industrialized countries but can play a much greater role in the production and post-harvest protection of food in developing countries. It is in developing countries that are rich in endemic plant biodiversity where these pesticides may ultimately have their greatest impact in future integrated pest management (IPM) programmes, given their safety to non-target organisms and the environment. However, there is a need to organize natural sources, develop quality control, adopt standardization strategies and modify regulatory mechanisms.
Advances in fowlpox vaccination.
Authors: Skinner M. A. , Laidlaw S. M. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Fowlpox virus (FWPV) is widespread, causing disease of mature poultry with significant social or economic impact and some mortality, which is higher in the diphtheritic form of the disease. Vaccines against the disease were some of the earliest developed for livestock. They are live vaccines based on attenuated isolates or passaged derivatives of FWPV, or the serologically closely related pigeonpox virus. Relying heavily on approaches developed for vaccinia virus, FWPV was developed as a live recombinant vaccine vector for use in poultry. Licensed, commercial, recombinant FWPV vaccines are available against avian influenza, Newcastle disease and infectious laryngotracheitis. Causing disease only in birds, FWPV is nevertheless able to infect mammalian cells, express proteins and induce immune responses, both humoral and cellular, which may in some circumstances be protective (a feature shared with another member of the genus, canarypox virus). Blocked during morphogenesis (or before) in mammalian cells, it has an extremely high safety profile as a live recombinant vaccine vector for use in humans and other mammals, as demonstrated in numerous clinical trials. Relatively low potency in mammals has been addressed by using prime-boost regimes and by co-expression of host cytokines (an approach also trialled in poultry) or co-stimulators. New generation vectors may involve deletion of FWPV immunomodulators to improve efficacy.
Herbaceous crops with potential for biofuel production in the USA.
Authors: Lemus R. , Parrish D. J. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

World energy demand is straining energy supplies and spurring the search for alternative energy sources - especially transportation fuels. Ethanol produced from cellulosic feedstock has been called a 'second-generation' biofuel. (Ethanol made from maize and sugarcane represents a 'first-generation' biofuel.) When choosing a cellulosic species for fuel production, one must consider the type of fuel desired, the economics of producing the crop on a large scale, the system's energy balance and environmental effects. With suitable conversion technologies, cellulosic materials from maize, eastern gamagrass, giant reed (fibre cane),
Miscanthus
, reed canarygrass, sorghums, sugarcane and switchgrass might be used to produce biofuels in the USA and other non-arid, sub-tropical or temperate locations. Each of these species has characteristics that make it more or less suitable in particular situations. Because of generally reduced input requirements, perennial species might be favoured. Biofuel production systems can mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by offsetting fossil fuel use and by sequestering carbon into the soil. The amount of GHG reduction depends on crop yields, conversion efficiencies, and net energy and carbon balances associated with each feedstock source.
A multilocus approach to harvestman (Arachnida: Opiliones) phylogeny with emphasis on biogeography and the systematics of Laniatores
Authors: Giribet Gonzalo , Vogt Lars , González Abel Pérez , Sharma Prashant , Kury Adriano B. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe internal phylogeny of the arachnid order Opiliones is investigated by including molecular data from five molecular markers forca.140 species totalling 43 families of Opiliones. The phylogenetic analyses consisted of a direct optimization (DO) approach using POY v. 4 and sophisticated tree search algorithms as well as a static alignment analysed under maximum likelihood. The four Opiliones suborders were well‐supported clades, but subordinal relationships did not receive support in the DO analysis, with the exception of the monophyly of Palpatores (=Eupnoi + Dyspnoi). Maximum‐likelihood analysis strongly supported the traditional relationship of Phalangida and Palpatores: (Cyphophthalmi ((Eupnoi + Dyspnoi) Laniatores)). Relationships within each suborder are well resolved and largely congruent between direct optimization and maximum‐likelihood approaches. Age estimates for the main Opiliones lineages suggest a Carboniferous diversification of Cyphophthalmi, while its sister group, Phalangida, diversified in the Early Devonian. Diversification of all suborders predates the Triassic, and most major lineages predate the Cretaceous. The following taxonomic changes are proposed. Dyspnoi:Hesperonemastomais transferred to Sabaconidae. Insidiatores: Sclerobunidae stat. nov. is erected as a family forZuma acuta. © The Willi Hennig Society 2009.