bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NHR-23 and SPE-44 regulate distinct sets of genes duringCaenorhabditis elegansspermatogenesis
Authors: Ragle James Matthew , Morrison Kayleigh N , Vo An A , Johnson Zoe E , Hernandez Lopez Javier , Rechtsteiner Andreas , Shakes Diane C , Ward Jordan D 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSpermatogenesis is the process through which mature male gametes are formed and is necessary for the transmission of genetic information. While much work has established how sperm fate is promoted and maintained, less is known about how the sperm morphogenesis program is executed. We previously identified a novel role for the nuclear hormone receptor transcription factor, NHR-23, in promoting Caenorhabditis elegans spermatogenesis. The depletion of NHR-23 along with SPE-44, another transcription factor that promotes spermatogenesis, caused additive phenotypes. Through RNA-seq, we determined that NHR-23 and SPE-44 regulate distinct sets of genes. The depletion of both NHR-23 and SPE-44 produced yet another set of differentially regulated genes. NHR-23-regulated genes are enriched in phosphatases, consistent with the switch from genome quiescence to post-translational regulation in spermatids. In the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum, MFP1 and MFP2 control the polymerization of Major Sperm Protein, the molecule that drives sperm motility and serves as a signal to promote ovulation. NHR-23 and SPE-44 regulate several MFP2 paralogs, and NHR-23 depletion from the male germline caused defective localization of MSD/MFP1 and NSPH-2/MFP2. Although NHR-23 and SPE-44 do not transcriptionally regulate the casein kinase gene spe-6, a key regulator of sperm development, SPE-6 protein is lost following NHR-23+SPE-44 depletion. Together, these experiments provide the first mechanistic insight into how NHR-23 promotes spermatogenesis and an entry point to understanding the synthetic genetic interaction between nhr-23 and spe-44.
The interruption of transmission of onchocerciasis in Kaduna, Kebbi and Zamfara states, Nigeria: another milestone achievement
Authors: Isiyaku Sunday , Igbe Michael , Madaki Suzie , Hamill Louise C , Ndongmo Patrick , Adamani William , Bush Simon , Shu'aibu Joy , Elhassan Elizabeth , Saka Yisa , Anyaike Chukwuma , Akpan Nse Michael , Joel Akilah , Nyior Audrey , Abdullahi Alhassan , Aleiro Attahiru , Labbo Abdullahi , Mafuyai Hayward Babale , Nwoke Bertram E B 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background
More than 40 million people live in onchocerciasis-endemic areas in Nigeria. For at least 19 y, mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin was implemented with at least 65% total population coverage in Kaduna, Kebbi and Zamfara states. Impact surveys done using skin biopsies yielded no infections. Serological and entomological assessments were undertaken to determine if onchocerciasis transmission had been interrupted and MDA could be stopped.

Methods
The presence of onchocerciasis-specific immunoglobulin G4 antibody was measured by enzyme=linked immunosorbent assay conducted on dried blood spots collected from 5- to 9-year-old children resident in each state. O-150 polymerase chain reaction testing of Simulium damnosum s.l. heads for Onchocerca volvulus DNA was done on black flies collected by human landing capture and Esperanza window traps.

Results
A total of 9078 children were surveyed across the three states. A total of 6139 vectors were collected from Kaduna state, 129 from Kebbi state and 2 from Zamfara state; all were negative. Kebbi and Zamfara states did thousands of hours of black fly catching and intensive river prospecting. The resulting low fly catch was due to a low fly population incapable of sustaining transmission.

Conclusion
Onchocerciasis transmission has been interrupted and the three states meet World Health Organization thresholds: seropositivity in children &lt;0.1% and &lt;1/2000 infective black flies with 95% confidence. The 2.2 million people in Kaduna state and 4 million in Kebbi and Zamfara states no longer need ivermectin for onchocerciasis.
Comparison of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein vs C-reactive Protein for Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Chronic Cardiac Disease
Authors: Han Emilie , Fritzer-Szekeres Monika , Szekeres Thomas , Gehrig Teresa , Gyöngyösi Mariann , Bergler-Klein Jutta 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a biomarker used for risk prediction for cardiovascular disease by assessing low concentration of inflammation. Measurements of regular CRP have become very sensitive with a lower detection limit of 0.3 mg/L. This study aimed to compare and explore the association between CRP and hs-CRP.

Methods
Data from 607 consecutive patients referred for cardiovascular risk assessment with hs-CRP were reviewed retrospectively. In total, 570 patients were included in the analysis and classified into 3 (low-, medium-, and high-risk) groups (hs-CRP cutoff: &lt;1, 1–3, &gt;3 mg/L). Correlation between hs-CRP and CRP was assessed with the kappa statistic and visualized with a Bland–Altman plot. The association between hs-CRP and occurrence of the composite outcome (acute myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary intervention [percutaneous coronary intervention or bypass surgery], or death) was determined with Cox regression analysis and visualized with Kaplan–Meier curves.

Results
A total number reclassification occurred in 8.6% of the cases for CRP risk groups, which demonstrates an agreement of 91.4% (kappa 0.87; P &lt; 0.001). The correlation between CRP and hs-CRP was significant (P &lt; 0.001), Spearman regression R2 = 0.98. A Bland–Altman plot displayed an average difference of 0.19 mg/L (95%CI, 0.17 to 0.23) between the CRP and hs-CRP. Cardiovascular events were more likely to occur in patients who were older, with hs-CRP or CRP &gt;3 mg/L and a history of coronary artery disease.

Conclusions
The usual laboratory tests for CRP values in the lower range highly correlate with the hs-CRP tests and can therefore replace the costlier hs-CRP measurements.
25 Sustainable Dairy Breeding: Working within the US National Evaluation System
Authors: Miles Asha 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
We define sustainable agriculture as a balance of practices protecting the natural environment, promoting economic vitality, and building healthy communities in the present without compromising the future. The dairy industry has been working for decades with these goals in mind, but under the brand of productive efficiency. This has resulted in tremendous gains in farm profitability and cow performance, though dairy systems are continually impacted by resource availability, advancing technology, and changing consumer values that all affect the environment in which cows must perform. As we redefine selection goals for sustainability we should prioritize overall fitness, encompassing a dairy cattle population that is genetically diverse, resilient, and adaptable. Greater genetic gains correspond to a faster rate of inbreeding, which has long been recognized as an antagonist to health and performance. Male genetic variation is very limited due to the marketability of high genetic merit sires and so conserving female genetic diversity must be a top priority. National genetic and genomic evaluations are delivered with the cooperation of key industry partners through a complex system of data sharing and management; incorporating new phenotypes (e.g., emissions) will require operating within the parameters of this system. Examples of changing industry trends include the rise in embryo transfer, increasing interest in evaluations for heat tolerance, higher frequency of robotic milkers in the United States, and the popularity of beef-on-dairy crossbreds as managers seek to sustain farm profits. Genetic improvement tools need to be just as dynamic as the dairy industry, but they all depend upon reliable and accurate data flow. Autonomous, sensor-based phenotyping represents a huge opportunity for genomic improvement, but translating this rapidly generated data into something that can be used for genomic selection will be a new challenge.
28 Problematizing Selection Mapping from an Animal Science Perspective
Authors: Johnsson Martin 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Selection mapping is a family of methods that use genome-wide genetic data to detect signatures of selection in the genome. The methods used to quantify these signatures range from relatively simple diversity statistics to complicated population genetic models or machine learning classifiers. Selection mapping of domestic and feral animals have identified signatures of selection in regions of the genome known to be associated with simple traits, large-effect alleles for complex traits, but also many regions of unknown significance. Selection mapping can be thought of as part of a broader move towards "natural history of the genome". As large amounts of genomic data are becoming available, there is a space for descriptive accounts of genome-wide data that aid hypothesis-generation and draw attention to striking features of the genome. However, selection mapping gives a particular, biased view of selection, and has methodological issues including dependence on population genetic parameters that are often unknown, and a bewildering array of analysis options. Therefore, we would do well to think hard about how and why we apply it.
29 Mapping Recent and Ongoing Polygenic Selection in Beef Cattle Populations
Authors: Rowan Troy N , Schnabel Robert , Decker Jared E 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Understanding the underlying effects of ongoing selection is of interest to livestock breeding programs. Commercial livestock genotyping has generated datasets well-suited to explore how strong artificial selection has impacted the genome over very short time periods. We have developed a method for mapping ongoing polygenic selection in populations with temporally stratified genomic data called Generation Proxy Selection Mapping (GPSM). GPSM utilizes a genome-wide linear mixed model to identify allelic associations with an animal's generation number or some proxy (i.e., birth date). We applied GPSM to two large contemporary beef cattle datasets from Red Angus (n = 46,454) and Simmental (n = 90,580) breeds, with 11,759,568 high-quality imputed variants per animal. This analysis identified 294 distinct loci actively under selection. Due to the high power of these datasets, we found that GPSM could detect very small and recent(&lt; 10 years) allele frequency changes consistent with polygenic selection. These analyses identified variants within genomic regions associated with known breed characteristics, like fertility and maternal ability in Red Angus and carcass merit and coat color in Simmental. Over 60% of GPSM loci resided in or near (&lt; 50kb) annotated genes. We leveraged the resolution of our imputed sequence variants to overlay known epigenetic marks and possibly functional regions. 36% of GPSM loci overlapped these putatively functional regions genomic intervals. In addition to GPSM, we used two other more traditional selective sweep methods, the number of segregating loci (nSL) and Raised Accuracy in Sweep Detecting (RAiSD), to detect selection in this data. We observed minimal overlap (&lt; 10% of loci) between traditional selective sweep mapping and GPSM. This suggests that selection mapping with GPSM can complement traditional sweep mapping methods when temporal genomic data exists. In addition to better understanding the biological processes and features that underlie artificial selection, GPSM signatures might serve as important genomic annotations.
48 Supplementation of Condensed Tannins to Beef Heifers During Peripartum Period Affects Coccidia Parasite Load in Dam and Offspring
Authors: Pancini Stefania , Dias Nicholas W Wege , Goncherenko Guillermo , Varnell Hannah , Mercadante Vitor R G 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Our objective was to explore the effects of condensed tannins peripartum supplementation of beef heifers on their offspring incidence of coccidiosis, diarrhea, and growth performance. A total of 30 beef heifers, diagnosed as pregnant were enrolled in the study. At approximately 60 d pre-partum, determined by breeding and expected calving dates, heifers were stratified by body weight (BW), coccidial oocyst counts per gram of feces (OPG) and randomly assigned one of two treatments: supplementation of 450g-1hd-1d corn gluten feed (Control; n=14); or supplementation of 450g-1hd-1d corn gluten feed and 20g-1hd-1d of condensed tannins (n=16; CT). Heifers received treatment using an automated feeding system (SmartFeed PRO, C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD) until 30d postpartum for a total of approximately 90d. Dam BW was determined every 30d, and offspring BW was determined at birth and 30d after. Fecal samples for OPG were collected every 30d from dams, and weekly from calves after birth. All animals were managed as a single group during the duration of the experiment. Initial BW (day -60 relative to calving; 446±7.5 kg), day -30 (480±8.1 kg) and day 30 (453±7.1) was similar (P&gt;0.10) between treatments. Supplement individual daily intake was similar between treatments (395±15.8 and 448±18.2 g/d for CT and Control, respectively; P&gt;0.10). Calf birth weight and at 30d were similar (P&gt;0.10) between treatments (30.4±2.2 kg and 60.7±4.1 kg, respectively). Dam fecal OPG for Eimeria spp. was similar (P&gt;0.10) at day -60 (161.5±8.5 OPG), and day 30 (107.5±9.4 OPG), but were greater (P&lt; 0.05) on day -30 for Control than CT (140.9±8.5 and 54.2±16.2 OPG, respectively). Calf OPG was similar on week 2 (0.0±0.0 OPG), and week3 (283.1±25 OPG); however, it was greater (P&lt; 0.05) for Control than CT calves on week4 (2,744.4±168.4 and 1,150.0±64.7 OPG, respectively). Supplementation of condensed tannins reduced coccidia load pre-calving for dams and their offspring postnatal.
50 Influence of Farrowing Assistance Intervals on Piglet, Sows and Workers
Authors: Vanheeswijk Heather N , Green-Miller Angela R 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Farrowing assistance (FA) is a common on-farm intervention, also called sleeving on many farms. Assistance consists of reaching into the vaginal cavity of an actively farrowing sow for examination and removing any piglets or birthing tissues obstructing the birth canal. Motivations for FA focus on better care of the piglets and sows because complications are noticed and addressed faster, but too frequent of intervention could be detrimental to the sow and increase injury risk to workers. There is little published information on FA effects on the pigs or employees. The objective of this study was to systematically determine the impact of different FA intervals on the welfare of piglets, sows, and workers. Sows (330 total) in a commercial breeding farm were randomly assigned to one of three FA intervals commonly used on farms: FA every 20-min since last liveborn piglet; FA every 40-min; and FA every hour with visual evaluation every 40-min. Measures were gathered at 3 points: during farrowing, 24-h before weaning, and after giving birth to their next litter. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and GLM for normalized data and Kruskal-Wallis for non-parametric data. Results were significant for alpha&lt; 0.05. Overall, there were few observed differences between treatments for piglets, sows, or workers. FA did not affect piglet survival for measures like mortality or weight, and did not influence the need for additional care for sows or future reproductive success. For workers, FA increases strenuous movements (p&lt; 0.0001) of bending, kneeling, lying down and finger opposition from pulling piglets putting them at risk for injury. The results of this study did not support a benefit for the most frequent FA for piglet mortality. While there is merit to regularly observing the sows during farrowing, there does not appear to be a significant benefit to FA at every observation.
47 Effect of Summer Heat Stress on Internal Parasite Populations in Lebanese Baladi Goats
Authors: Murr Samer , Hajj Elham , Houchaymi Khaled , Burke Joan M , Murdoch Brenda M , Aad Pauline Y 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections affecting ruminants pose serious problems whenever management systems are deficient with inappropriate nutrition and sanitation. The Lebanese Baladi goat, reared under very challenging transhumant conditions, is recently being challenged with nutrient availability due to the recent economic crisis. Therefore, prevalence of helminth parasites was studied in 90 Baladi does raised under three different management systems (Man) of intensive/managed (M), extensive/pastoral (P) or semi-intensive/agro-pastoral (AP). A 5-point score assessment of fat and muscle covering using Body Condition Score (BCS), anemic state revealed by conjunctivae mucosal color using FAMACHA, nostril discharge, stool character and bottle jaw edema were recorded twice for each system at two predetermined summer periods of heat stress (HS) with THI of 20 and 24 respectively, and fecal samples collected. Fecal nematode eggs (FEC) and protozoan oocyst count (FOC) were analyzed using a modified McMaster method. Results showed that BCS were not altered (P &gt; 0.05) between heat stress periods, but decreased in M. FAMACHA did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) between M, P and AP. All fecal samples tested showed strongyles nematodes, while 98% showed Eimeria spp. with occasional occurrence of Scrjabinema and Moniezia. Parasitic burden of GIN was low at 17%, while Eimeria was high at 98 %. Further, there was a significant (P &lt; 0.001) Man x HS for HOTC, with 5-fold (P &lt; 0.05) greater in AP but not M or P in late summer, indicating a contaminated and overgrazed agro-pastoral land. Though summer heat stress effect was not obvious on endoparasite prevalence in Lebanese Baladi goats, the confounding effects of resilience to GIN, nutritional and heat stress in these locally resilient goats require further investigation. This study reports, for the first time in Lebanon, the prevalence of GIN using the McMaster method and 5-point score in Local Baladi goats, and therefore these methods require further validation for on-farm use.
43 Establishing Pregnancy Following Artificial Insemination (AI) of Angus Cows: Experience from Fort Valley State University (FVSU)
Authors: Moawad Adel R , Whitley Niki C C , Ralph Noble C 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) provides a practical and feasible option for commercial and stud breeders to implement AI into their herds, as 100% of the herd can be inseminated at a predetermined time. FTAI can suit many herds, whether they are inseminating small numbers or the whole herd. We investigated the effects of sire and inseminator on pregnancy and birth outcomes following FTAI of Angus cows. Three Angus sires; namely GAR Quantum 7AN560, Square B True North 8052, and Tehama Tahoe B767, and two inseminators (1 and 2) were evaluated for differences in pregnancy outcomes and birth rates from 24 inseminations. Angus cows (N = 24) were synchronized with CIDR plus GnRH injection. After 7 days, CIDR was removed and each cow received 25 mg PGF2α. AI was conducted within 72 h from PGF2α injection. Cows were randomly assigned for AI between inseminators (12 cows inseminated by inseminator 1 and 12 cows by inseminator 2) and sires (6, 8, and 10 cows were inseminated by GAR Quantum, Tehama Taho, and True North semen, respectively. Pregnancy was diagnosed at 4-5 months after AI by transrectal ultrasonography. Percentage of re-cycling cows 21 days after AI was 45.8% (11/24). Pregnancy rate was 54.2% (13/24). Pregnancy rate was higher (P&lt;0.05) for cows inseminated by inseminator 1 than by inseminator 2 (69.2% vs. 30.8%). The average age of pregnancy was 5.6 ± 0.2 months. Among sires, 46.2% (6/13) of the pregnant cows were inseminated by True North, 38.5% (5/13) by Tehama Tahoe, and 15.4% (2/13) by GAR Quantum. The pregnant cows gave birth to healthy calves at 280.8 ± 2.1 days after AI. In conclusion, both inseminator and sire affected the pregnancy rates and birth outcomes after AI in beef cattle. This study was conducted to support the establishment of a purebred Black Angus beef herd at FVSU with the application of AI.
60 Occurrence of Mycotoxins in US Corn Gluten Products and Wheat Middlings
Authors: Gott Paige N , Schwandt Erin F , Zheng Lan , Pender Chasity M , Hofstetter Ursula , Levy April W 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Secondary fungal metabolites which may affect animal health and productivity are known as mycotoxins. These naturally occurring metabolites are often detected in a variety of feed ingredients. Mycotoxin occurrence and contamination levels in corn gluten products and wheat middlings or “midds” were monitored in this study. Samples submitted from the US were screened via LC-MS/MS for six major mycotoxin groups: aflatoxins, type A trichothecenes, type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin A (OTA). The presence of clinical health or performance concerns on-farm was reported for each sample. Results from samples without clinical concerns that were above the limit of detection for each respective mycotoxin group were included in the study. Out of 14 corn gluten product samples reported as 2021 crop year, 100% were positive for both B-Trich and FUM, while 71% were positive for some amount of ZEN. These mycotoxin groups were also the most frequently detected in 2020. Mean contamination levels (parts per billion, ppb) for 2021 were 1,314 ppb, 443 ppb, and 132 ppb, respectively. Of the 24 samples of 2021 wheat midds, B-Trich were detected in 92% while 54% were positive for OTA with mean contamination levels of 665 ppb and 3 ppb, respectively. Ergot alkaloids were not screened for in the current year, however, previous analyses have identified these metabolites frequently occur in wheat midds samples. Although represented by limited data sets to date, analysis of 2021 corn gluten products and wheat midds indicate mycotoxins frequently occur in these by-product feeds. High feed costs may drive increased feeding of alternative feeds, including these and other by-products, in addition to established routine usage in pelleted feeds and other diets. Therefore, continued screening is suggested to assess mycotoxin exposure in livestock diets.