bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The assessment of pain in cattle: a review.
Authors: Stafford K. J. , Mellor D. J. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

The assessment of pain in cattle is hindered by the difficulty of communication between species and the possibility that prey species, such as cattle, limit behaviour indicative of pain due to the danger of predation. To identify behavioural and physiological responses caused by the pain of any surgical procedure, injury or disease, it is necessary to compare the responses of animals that have received or not received effective local anaesthesia or analgesia. Few such studies have been carried out. The responses of animals to any injury may be due to irritation, dysfunction or be part of the convalescence process and may not be caused by pain
per se
. Specific behaviours may indicate pain following specific injuries. The pain caused by different injuries may evoke specific behaviours so many sets of observations are required to define the behaviours evoked by pain. Head and tail shaking and the lack of grooming and rumination are useful indicators of pain after dehorning but there is a need to quantify whether these behaviours are useful indicators of pain following other injuries by further behavioural observational studies. Generally, behaviour is most useful in a clinical situation. However, physiological responses to different procedures, such as the plasma cortisol response, can be used to compare the relative painfulness of different experiences under experimental conditions and the results of this type of research can then be used clinically. Changes in productivity and immunocompetence during and following a painful experience are probably not useful tools to measure pain. Behaviour and physiological responses are useful ways to assess acute pain but there are problems with the assessment of chronic pain. The response of cattle to specific stimuli (mechanical, pressure and thermal) may be useful to measure chronic pain. Much work is required to confirm that specific behaviours or the absence of them are useful general indicators of pain in cattle and to identify those behaviours which may be useful indicators of pain after specific injuries.
Geographical information systems and remote sensing in veterinary disease mapping.
Authors: Rinaldi L. , Biggeri A. , Cringoli G. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Disease mapping and risk assessment are important tasks in the area of medical and veterinary epidemiology. The development of methods for mapping diseases has progressed considerably in recent years. Geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) represent new tools for the study of epidemiology, and their application to veterinary medicine, and in particular to parasitology, has become more and more advanced to study the spatial and temporal patterns of diseases. The present review highlights the usefulness of GIS and RS for: disease mapping, ecological analysis, and surveillance and monitoring of animal diseases.
Biotechnology of
Curcuma
.
Authors: Parthasarathy V.A. , Sasikumar B. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Curcuma
is gaining importance globally as a potential source of drugs to combat a variety of ailments. Biotechnological intervention in the genus is almost two decades old. Though earlier studies of
Curcuma
biotechnology were focused mainly on standardization of tissue culture protocols, recent attention has been towards molecular biology aspects of the genus. This review gives up-to-date information on the various aspects of
Curcuma
biotechnology such as tissue culture protocol standardization, in vitro conservation,
in vitro
screening,
in vitro
microrhizome induction and
in vitro
pollination besides molecular biology studies.
Applications of RNA interference in transgenic plants.
Authors: Müllerr A.E. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool to down-regulate single genes or sets of genes in a sequence-specific manner. Since its discovery in the 1990s, an impressive amount of research has revealed many of the key steps and players that produce the small RNA species at the centre of the mechanism of RNAi (i.e., small interfering RNAs and microRNAs), or mediate the downstream events that result in post-transcriptional and/or transcriptional inhibition of target gene activity. Experiments are also underway to identify the precise parameters that determine the effectiveness and specificity of the initial trigger of RNAi, and to elucidate the immediate and longer-term consequences of RNAi at the target locus. With increasing knowledge of all phases of RNAi, from induction to maintenance and propagation, the potential of RNAi as a biotechnological tool and the spectrum of its applications will continue to widen. In this review, some of the most promising technical advances of RNAi in transgenic plants will be laid out, as well as current and possible future applications.
The importance of the genotype×environment interaction for selection and breeding programmes in tropical conditions.
Authors: Menèndez Buxadera A. , Mandonnet N. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

The literature on genotype × environment interaction (I
GE
) was reviewed and discussed in order to obtain an overview of its effects for breeding programmes in tropical conditions. The results from cattle were the example used, owing to the great number of references available. The evidence shows that the performance of a specialized dairy breed introduced in the tropics is very far from the expected results and the best sires in the exporter countries (developed countries) were not the best in the tropical countries (importer). This same trend was found when the results from
Bos taurus
×
Bos indicus
crossbreeding programmes were examined. The publications for beef cattle show ahigh level of genetic correlations between the breeding value of the sires estimated in different countries. However, when the level of connection between animals was taken into account, the effect of I
GE
was evident. The importance of I
GE
was also found between countries with a high level of concentrate versus pasture feeding base: the same results were published for tropical conditions. A very large dataset of milk production statistics for the tropics (more than 200 000 records) was analysed in order to present some results on I
GE
based on a more robust statistical procedure. In this study, the milk production level of the herd was used as an environmental variable and the genetic parameters were estimated by a classical simple sire model, a character state model (CSM) and a reaction norm model (RNM). The results from RNM were considered to be the best, and allowed the estimation of the evolution of genetic variance in the entire trajectory of environment (22005000 kg of milk production). A clear effect of I
GE
was evident and the best sires in a low environmental level were not the best in a high environmental level. A large genetic variability in plasticity was detected. Accordingly, the use of RNM is highly recommended in tropical breeding programmes because it allows the identification of the more adapted sires to heterogeneous environment. More research is needed for a better understanding of I
GE
in the tropics, particularly more collaboration between tropical countries is necessary ... it is a dream to establish a tropical Interbull that enables us to reach the same results as those obtained in developed countries!
Recent developments in vaccination against the major nematode parasites of livestock.
Authors: Knox D. P. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
This review summarizes the major developments towards developing vaccines against the major nematode infections of livestock, principally cattle and sheep. The drivers for vaccine development and factors likely to influence the required efficacy and performance are discussed. Subunit vaccine progress is summarized with antigens discussed being proteins that are required for feeding, are excreted/secreted from the parasite, or are specifically targeted by the immune response of animals exposed to infection which then develop immunity. Challenges to vaccine development are outlined including recombinant protein production, target identification and validation and methods for vaccine delivery to the immune system. The review concludes by addressing some of the market factors which will influence vaccine uptake.
Traceability in the agri-food sector: issues, insights and implications.
Authors: Hobbs J. E. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Traceability of food and food ingredients from farm to fork has become an important issue for agri-food firms and policymakers, and is the subject of a growing body of research. This paper provides a review of recent literature dealing with the economic and supply chain management implications of traceability. The definitions, scope and functions of traceability are reviewed, reflecting the multifaceted nature of traceability, which ranges from simple identification, to full chain traceability, to traceback coupled with the proactive provision of information on product origin, movement, production and processing methods. In this vein, a variety of roles for traceability systems is apparent: from minimizing the impact of food safety and herd health problems, to more efficient management of supply chain logistics, to traceability systems that also facilitate quality assurances with respect to credence attributes. Traceability has more value for consumers when bundled with credible quality assurances. The implications for producers are best assessed through understanding the relative market-based incentives (management of supply chains, reduced recalls, product differentiation opportunities) versus the disincentives (implementation and maintenance costs) to adopt traceability systems. Future research could enhance our understanding of consumer perceptions with respect to traceability and quality assurances; it could provide a quantitative assessment of the relative costs and benefits (private and public) of adopting traceability systems. Future research could also explore the pivotal role of food retailers and food service companies with respect to traceability requirements from their suppliers, the role of third party verification, and the implications for supply chain relationships.
Sustainable practices to limit soil erosion: a review and discussion.
Authors: Evans R. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
How the review was carried out is briefly described. The review looks mainly at the literature published since year 2000, but does not exclude earlier publications. The sustainability of practices to limit erosion must be assessed not only in terms of the soil resource and the wider environment but must also take into account economical and socio-political factors. Soil degradation may be due to a number of causes and it may be that in places erosion is not the main factor. So how erosion is assessed and perceived may be an important factor if degradation is to be successfully tackled. Certainly, in many parts of the world farmers do not, or cannot, combat erosion. A brief history of soil conservation practices is given and then these techniques are examined in more detail in terms of their environmental, economical and socio-political sustainability. Many practices are environmentally sustainable, especially those used by small indigenous farmers, but few are sustainable in financial and socio-political terms. Although conservation tillage techniques are being vigorously promoted they may be more sustainable when carried out on small farms where no herbicide inputs are needed. It is the economical and socio-political factors that lead to erosion which need to be tackled if sustainable practices to limit soil erosion are to be successful.
The alleviation of pain in cattle: a review.
Authors: Stafford K. J. , Chambers J. P. , Mellor D. J. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
The alleviation of pain in cattle is dependent on the ability to recognise pain and to determine whether systemic analgesia or local anaesthesia is effective. Local and regional anaesthesia have long been used to reduce pain and its attendant behaviours during surgery in conscious cattle, but concern about post-operative pain and its alleviation are more recent developments. A number of classes of analgesics (opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists) are used in cattle to alleviate pain caused by surgery, injury or disease. These drugs can be useful analgesics, but their use is limited by concern about residues and cost. The NSAID, ketoprofen, has been shown to be an effective analgesic after dehorning and castration when combined with local anaesthesia in calves. Xylazine is also an effective analgesic but there is very limited information on the analgesic effects in cattle of many other drugs. There are a limited number of drugs registered for use in cattle and it is important that local anaesthetics and systemic analgesics are available to alleviate pain in this species at prices which make them economically attractive.
The role of nutrition in cataract formation in farmed fish.
Authors: Bjerkås E. , Breck O. , Waagbo R. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
A brief overview of the lens anatomy and biochemistry, characteristics of cataract development in fish, as well as diagnostic techniques and evaluation of findings are given, before the role of nutrition on cataract development in fish is discussed. Nutritionally related cataracts are described based on single nutrient groups. However, in most of the studies on nutrition and cataract, interactions between several nutrients cannot be excluded, especially observed in relation to the major changes in feed composition during the last decades and the search for alternative feed ingredients. Environmental factors in aquaculture, as well as differences between fish species and strains within a species may also affect cataract development. Thus, although nutritional factors have been shown to be important in the pathogenesis of cataract, cataract occurring in modern intensive fish farming should be considered a production-related multifactorial disorder.
Cre/
lox
technologies for plant transformation.
Authors: Srivastava V. , Nicholson S. J. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Several methods for transferring foreign genes into plant cells have been developed in last 20 years; however, very little progress has been made towards controlling transgene integration into the plant genome. Since stable transgene expression entails precise single-copy integration, controlling the integration process is extremely important for optimizing transformation technologies. One of the most effective strategies for engineering single-copy structure is utilization of site-specific recombination (SSR) systems derived from prokaryotes and lower eukaryotes. Cre/
lox
, FLP/
FRT
, R/
RS
and FC31 are some of the SSR systems shown to be functional in plant cells, with Cre/
lox
displaying the highest efficiency among all. When Cre recombinase is available, sequences bordered by
lox
sites may excise or invert, dependent upon the relative orientation of interacting
lox
sites. This principle has been utilized for developing a number of different technologies, including marker gene deletion and transgene integration. Owing to its remarkable efficiency and undetectable toxicity in plant cells, Cre/
lox
system has emerged as one of the most promising tools for plant biotechnology.
Managing risk in clonal forestry.
Authors: Burdon R. D. , Aimers-Halliday J. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Risks associated with clonal forestry are mainly biological. Among such risks, propagation failure, cultivar decline, and imperfect clonal evaluation all call for specific, targeted countermeasures; delayed failure of clones, however, calls mainly for risk spread. Propagation failures often reduce genetic gain and/or narrow the genetic base. Cultivar decline typically stems from maturation, especially in conifers, and can preclude successful clonal forestry. Maturation can be much delayed by hedging, serial propagation, coppicing (if possible), and cold-storage of tissue, but effectively halting maturation probably requires embryogenesis together with cryogenic storage. Totally restoring juvenility in vegetative material is an ideal, but it is still seldom achievable. Other possibleforms of cultivar decline include plagiotropism, and virus infection in hardwoods. Inadequate clonal evaluation can lead to delayed underperformance, especially where genotype-site interaction is important. Clonal failure can result from biotic and climatic events, which may be unpredictable. Climatic damage may affect only occasional clones, but biotic damage is often more comprehensive. Risk spread, however, will not counter agents that cause unacceptable failure rates among deployed clones. Theoretically, as the effective number of unrelated clones exceeds about 20, the additional protection conferred by risk spread becomes marginal, and genetic gain can become significantly eroded. How to deploy a portfolio of clones, in options ranging from intimate mixture to monoclonal mosaics, is debatable. The appropriate choice can depend on various factors, including the nature of likely damage, the epidemiology of the pathogen or insect pest, the silvicultural regime, and the logistics of possible salvage harvesting.
Acquired haemophilia masked by warfarin therapy
Authors: VADIKOLIA C. M. , RIDDELL A. , BROOKS S. , YEE T. T. , BROWN S. , LEE C. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryAcquired haemophilia is a rare phenomenon and prompt diagnosis is essential for successful treatment. Early laboratory detection could minimize its potentially devastating consequences and reduce mortality but when a masking element such as anticoagulant therapy is present, delay in diagnosis is not uncommon. A prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) may be falsely attributed to warfarin alone, particularly when it is associated with oral anticoagulant overdose. We describe two patients on treatment with warfarin who presented with a bleeding diathesis and disproportionately prolonged APTT, which led to the diagnosis of antibodies directed against factor VIII.
Subcellular trafficking of the yeast plasma membrane ABC transporter, Pdr5, is impaired by a mutation in the N‐terminal nucleotide‐binding fold
Authors: De Thozée Cédric Pety , Cronin Susan , Goj Agnieszka , Golin John , Ghislain Michel 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe plasma membrane ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter, Pdr5p, mediates resistance to many different xenobiotic compounds in yeast. We have isolated several mutated forms that fail to confer resistance to cycloheximide and itraconazole. Here, we examined two variants, the expression of which was abnormally low when cells reach the stationary phase of growth. The Pdr51157 variant lacked the C‐terminal transmembrane domain due to the presence of a nonsense mutation at codon 1158. The second variant, Pdr5L183P, contained a Leu183Pro substitution close to the Walker A motif in the N‐terminal nucleotide‐binding domain. This substitution impaired UTPase activity as well as protein stability. The Pdr5L183P variant induced the unfolded protein response and was targeted to the proteasome for degradation. Fluorescence microscopy showed that the highly unstable Pdr5L183P was mislocalized to endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐associated compartments, whereas the truncated Pdr51157 protein was retained in the ER. When threonine 363 (located in the first nucleotide‐binding domain, close to the Walker B motif) in Pdr5L183P was replaced with isoleucine, this double mutant conferred partial drug resistance. These results suggest that Pdr5p requires a properly folded nucleotide‐binding domain for trafficking to the plasma membrane.
The bacteriophage λQ anti‐terminator protein regulates late gene expression as a stable component of the transcription elongation complex
Authors: Deighan Padraig , Hochschild Ann 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe Q protein of bacteriophage λ (λQ) is a transcription anti‐terminator required for the expression of the phage's late genes under the control of promoter PR′. To effect terminator read‐through, λQ must gain access to RNA polymerase (RNAP) via a promoter‐restricted pathway. In particular, λQ modifies RNAP by binding a specific DNA site embedded in PR′ and interacting with RNAP in the context of a specific paused early elongation complex. The resultant λQ‐modified transcription elongation complex is competent to read through downstream termination signals. Here we use a chromatin‐immunoprecipitation assay to test the hypothesis that λQ functions as a stable component of the transcription elongation complex. Our results indicate that, in vivo, the λQ‐modified transcription elongation complex contains Q as a stably associated subunit. Furthermore, we find that in the physiologically relevant context of an induced λ lysogen, Q remains stably associated with RNAP as it transcribes at least 22 kb of the phage late operon. Thus, our findings suggest that the promoter‐specific pathway leading to λQ‐mediated terminator read‐through results in the formation of a highly stable λQ‐containing transcription elongation complex capable of traversing the entire late operon.
Surface appendages of bacterial spores
Authors: Driks Adam 
Published: January 2007

SummaryBacilli and Clostridia generate dormant, highly resistant cells, called spores, in response to stress. Spores of many species are decorated by morphologically diverse structures of unknown function called appendages that have yet to be studied at the molecular level. In this issue, Walker et al. employ reverse genetics to identify genes encoding protein components of the ornate ribbon‐like appendages of the spores of Clostridium taeniosporum. Their results reveal striking commonalities between these genes and those encoding outer structures in phylogenetically and taxonomically distinct spore‐forming species. The insights gained from this work demonstrate the value of analysis of non‐model spore formers.
Crh1p and Crh2p are required for the cross‐linking of chitin to β(1‐6)glucan in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall
Authors: Cabib Enrico , Blanco Noelia , Grau Cecilia , Rodríguez‐Peña José Manuel , Arroyo Javier 
Published: January 2007

SummaryIn budding yeast, chitin is found in three locations: at the primary septum, largely in free form, at the mother‐bud neck, partially linked to β(1‐3)glucan, and in the lateral wall, attached in part to β(1‐6)glucan. By using a recently developed strategy for the study of cell wall cross‐links, we have found that chitin linked to β(1‐6)glucan is diminished in mutants of the CRH1 or the CRH2/UTR2 gene and completely absent in a double mutant. This indicates that Crh1p and Crh2p, homologues of glycosyltransferases, ferry chitin chains from chitin synthase III to β(1‐6)glucan. Deletion of CRH1 and/or CRH2 aggravated the defects of fks1Δ and gas1Δ mutants, which are impaired in cell wall synthesis. A temperature shift from 30°C to 38°C increased the proportion of chitin attached to β(1‐6)glucan. The expression of CRH1, but not that of CRH2, was also higher at 38°C in a manner dependent on the cell integrity pathway. Furthermore, the localization of both Crh1p and Crh2p at the cell cortex, the area where the chitin–β(1‐6)glucan complex is found, was greatly enhanced at 38°C. Crh1p and Crh2p are the first proteins directly implicated in the formation of cross‐links between cell wall components in fungi.