Variation in dietary cation-anion differences (DCAD) of feed ingredients in relation to milk fever disease in dairy cattle

Milk fever is an important disease that affect lactating cow due to the shortage of calcium circulation after parturition. Incidence of milk fever can be minimized by changing diet acidity/alkalinity before parturition to enhance Ca release of bone, and minimizing it excretion through several regulatory mechanisms. However, cow’s regulatory mechanisms are inadequate in its ability to satisfy the increased metabolic requirement of calcium. Many formulas have been suggested in literature for calculating Dietary Cation-Anion Differences (DCAD) in attempts to acidify diets to minimize the incidence of milk fever. Thus, selection of feed ingredients, and used formula (DCAD below 0 mEq/kg) are important when formulating diet to reach appropriate acidification of the cows’ blood. The aim of current study is to characterize and to measure DCAD of different feed ingredients (Listed in: National Research Council (NRC, 2001)) using the most used equations reported in the literature which are highly correlated with the incidence of milk fever. Tabulated DCAD values showed that the ability of most forages to cause acidification of the cow is not possible and few feed ingredients possessed mild-strong acidic effect. However, using ingredients with acidic effect have nutritional and economic limitations especially in dairy diets. This screening study showed that mostly used feed ingredients in Jordan possess alkaline effect. The magnitude of DCAD1 ((Na++ K+) + (Cl-)), DCAD2 ((Na++ K+) + (Cl-+ S-2)) and DCAD3 ((Na++ K+) + (Cl-+ 0.6S-2)) of different feed ingredients mainly used in Jordan ranged from 93.5 - 592.7 mEq/kg, 31.2 - 349.5 mEq/kg, and 56.1 - 446.8 mEq/kg, respectively. Thus, incorporation of acidifying ingredients is necessary when feeding dry cows without compromising feed intake when cows fed under Jordanian conditions. Several nutritional strategies have been suggested to acidify complete diet, and positively enhance Ca releasing from bones to decrease the possibility occurring milk fever in dairy cows.

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Performance testing for beef: inter-relationships among traits in bulls tested from an early age

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100029007 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 451-456 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. B. Willis ◽

T. R. Preston

Keyword(s):

Performance Testing ◽

Live Weight ◽

High Energy ◽

Testing System ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Complete Diet ◽

Final Weight ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

Weight For Age ◽

Selection Of

SUMMARY1. Performance tests were made on 221 bulls of eight breeds or crosses from 90 days of age (weaning) up to 400 kg live weight. Feeding was in individual pens on a high-energy complete diet.2. Pre-weaning gain was not significantly related to gain on test (r = 0·11) nor was 90-day weight to gain on test (r = 0·26) or feed conversion (r = −0·15). Weight for age at 200 and 300 kg was highly correlated with final weight for age (r = 0·72 and 0·89 respectively) while gain on test and final weight for age had a pooled correlation (across breeds) of r = 0·95. The correlation of feed conversion with gain on test was highly significant in all breeds. The range of values (−0·72 to −0·86) is higher than any previously reported estimates possibly due to an absence of initial weight effects, a reduction in the proportion of feed used for maintainenance and the use of complete diets.3. It is suggested that with this testing system at least 50% of bulls could be culled at 300 kg without affecting selection of the best 20% of all bulls starting the test.

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Selection of visual information for lightness judgements by eye movements

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2013.0056 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 368 (1628) ◽

pp. 20130056 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Matteo Toscani ◽

Matteo Valsecchi ◽

Karl R. Gegenfurtner

Keyword(s):

Eye Movements ◽

Visual System ◽

Visual Information ◽

Selection Process ◽

Sampling Strategy ◽

Selection Strategy ◽

Eye Fixations ◽

Target Layer ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

Selection Of

When judging the lightness of objects, the visual system has to take into account many factors such as shading, scene geometry, occlusions or transparency. The problem then is to estimate global lightness based on a number of local samples that differ in luminance. Here, we show that eye fixations play a prominent role in this selection process. We explored a special case of transparency for which the visual system separates surface reflectance from interfering conditions to generate a layered image representation. Eye movements were recorded while the observers matched the lightness of the layered stimulus. We found that observers did focus their fixations on the target layer, and this sampling strategy affected their lightness perception. The effect of image segmentation on perceived lightness was highly correlated with the fixation strategy and was strongly affected when we manipulated it using a gaze-contingent display. Finally, we disrupted the segmentation process showing that it causally drives the selection strategy. Selection through eye fixations can so serve as a simple heuristic to estimate the target reflectance.

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Understanding intestinal health in nursery pigs and the relevant nutritional strategies

Animal Bioscience ◽

10.5713/ab.21.0010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 338-344

Author(s):

Sung Woo Kim ◽

Marcos E. Duarte

Keyword(s):

Research Effort ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Growth Potential ◽

Intestinal Health ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

Crypt Cell Proliferation ◽

Health Related ◽

Tremendous Amount ◽

Nutritional Strategies ◽

Selection Of

In the modern pig production, pigs are weaned at early age with immature intestine. Dietary and environmental factors challenge the intestine, specifically the jejunum, causing inflammation and oxidative stress followed by destruction of epithelial barrier and villus structures in the jejunum. Crypt cell proliferation increases to repair damages in the jejunum. Challenges to maintain the intestinal health have been shown to be related to changes in the profile of mucosa-associated microbiota in the jejunum of nursery pigs. All these processes can be quantified as biomarkers to determine status of intestinal health related to growth potential of nursery pigs. Nursery pigs with impaired intestinal health show reduced ability of nutrient digestion and thus reduced growth. A tremendous amount of research effort has been made to determine nutritional strategies to maintain or improve intestinal health and microbiota in nursery pigs. A large number of feed additives have been evaluated for their effectiveness on improving intestinal health and balancing intestinal microbiota in nursery pigs. Selected prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and other bioactive compounds can be used in feeds to handle issues with intestinal health. Selection of these feed additives should aim modulating biomarkers indicating intestinal health. This review aims to define intestinal health and introduce examples of nutritional approaches to handle intestinal health in nursery pigs.

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Mass screening of asymptomatic persons for SARS-CoV-2 using saliva

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciaa1388 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Isao Yokota ◽

Peter Y Shane ◽

Kazufumi Okada ◽

Yoko Unoki ◽

Yichi Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nucleic Acid ◽

Mass Screening ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Screening Study ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

Few Data

Abstract Background COVID-19 has rapidly evolved to become a global pandemic due largely to the transmission of its causative virus through asymptomatic carriers. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic people is an urgent priority for the prevention and containment of disease outbreaks in communities. However, few data are available in asymptomatic persons regarding the accuracy of PCR testing. Additionally, although self-collected saliva has significant logistical advantages in mass screening, its utility as an alternative specimen in asymptomatic persons is yet to be determined. Methods We conducted a mass-screening study to compare the utility of nucleic acid amplification, such as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, using nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) and saliva samples from each individual in two cohorts of asymptomatic persons: the contact tracing cohort and the airport quarantine cohort. Results In this mass-screening study including 1,924 individuals, the sensitivity of nucleic acid amplification testing with nasopharyngeal and saliva specimens were 86% (90%CI:77-93%) and 92% (90%CI:83-97%), respectively, with specificities greater than 99.9%. The true concordance probability between the nasopharyngeal and saliva tests was estimated at 0.998 (90%CI:0.996-0.999) on the estimated airport prevalence at 0.3%. In positive individuals, viral load was highly correlated between NPS and saliva. Conclusion Both nasopharyngeal and saliva specimens had high sensitivity and specificity. Self-collected saliva is a valuable specimen to detect SARS-CoV-2 in mass screening of asymptomatic persons.

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Emerging concepts in pseudoenzyme classification, evolution, and signaling

Science Signaling ◽

10.1126/scisignal.aat9797 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (594) ◽

pp. eaat9797 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

António J. M. Ribeiro ◽

Sayoni Das ◽

Natalie Dawson ◽

Rossana Zaru ◽

Sandra Orchard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Small Molecules ◽

A Priori ◽

Molecular Switches ◽

Regulatory Mechanisms ◽

Signaling Networks ◽

Control Assembly ◽

Experimental Approaches ◽

Catch Up ◽

Enzyme Families ◽

Selection Of

The 21st century is witnessing an explosive surge in our understanding of pseudoenzyme-driven regulatory mechanisms in biology. Pseudoenzymes are proteins that have sequence homology with enzyme families but that are proven or predicted to lack enzyme activity due to mutations in otherwise conserved catalytic amino acids. The best-studied pseudoenzymes are pseudokinases, although examples from other families are emerging at a rapid rate as experimental approaches catch up with an avalanche of freely available informatics data. Kingdom-wide analysis in prokaryotes, archaea and eukaryotes reveals that between 5 and 10% of proteins that make up enzyme families are pseudoenzymes, with notable expansions and contractions seemingly associated with specific signaling niches. Pseudoenzymes can allosterically activate canonical enzymes, act as scaffolds to control assembly of signaling complexes and their localization, serve as molecular switches, or regulate signaling networks through substrate or enzyme sequestration. Molecular analysis of pseudoenzymes is rapidly advancing knowledge of how they perform noncatalytic functions and is enabling the discovery of unexpected, and previously unappreciated, functions of their intensively studied enzyme counterparts. Notably, upon further examination, some pseudoenzymes have previously unknown enzymatic activities that could not have been predicted a priori. Pseudoenzymes can be targeted and manipulated by small molecules and therefore represent new therapeutic targets (or anti-targets, where intervention should be avoided) in various diseases. In this review, which brings together broad bioinformatics and cell signaling approaches in the field, we highlight a selection of findings relevant to a contemporary understanding of pseudoenzyme-based biology.

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Expression Analysis of XTH in Stem Swelling of Stem Mustard and Selection of Reference Genes

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes11010113 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 113 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mengyao Li ◽

Fangjie Xie ◽

Qi He ◽

Jie Li ◽

Jiali Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Reference Genes ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Regulatory Mechanisms ◽

Future Research ◽

Transcriptome Data ◽

Accurate Analysis ◽

Report Analysis ◽

The Stability ◽

Selection Of

Accurate analysis of gene expression requires selection of appropriate reference genes. In this study, we report analysis of eight candidate reference genes (ACTIN, UBQ, EF-1α, UBC, IF-4α, TUB, PP2A, and HIS), which were screened from the genome and transcriptome data in Brassica juncea. Four statistical analysis softwares geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder were used to test the reliability and stability of gene expression of the reference genes. To further validate the stability of reference genes, the expression levels of two CYCD3 genes (BjuB045330 and BjuA003219) were studied. In addition, all genes in the xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) family were identified in B. juncea and their patterns at different periods of stem enlargement were analyzed. Results indicated that UBC and TUB genes showed stable levels of expression and are recommended for future research. In addition, XTH genes were involved in regulation of stem enlargement expression. These results provide new insights for future research aiming at exploring important functional genes, their expression patterns and regulatory mechanisms for mustard development.

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A COMPARISON OF FOUR SYSTEMS OF MANAGING YEARLING BEEF STEERS ON ROTATIONALLY GRAZED, BROMEGRASS-ALFALFA PASTURE

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas79-065 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 59 (3) ◽

pp. 519-529

Author(s):

J. A. ROBERTSON ◽

D. A. COOKE ◽

S. E. BEACOM

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Dry Matter Production ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Animal Management ◽

Matter Production ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Selection Of

Four systems of animal management were applied to a rotationally grazed mixed sward of bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and alfalfa (Medicago media Pers.) for a period of 7 yr using yearling beef steers. The systems included (i) put and take stocking; (ii) set stocking at 2.5 steers/ha with surplus herbage conserved as silage and fed later in the season; (iii) set stocking at 3.7 steers/ha, pasture herbage supplemented with oat soilage and (iv) set stocking as in (iii), pasture herbage supplemented with dry-rolled barley. Nitrogen, at the rate of 90 kg N/ha, was applied each spring during the last 4 yr of the experiment. Forage dry matter production varied from 1760 to 5750 kg/ha between years and was highly correlated with precipitation during the growing season. Average daily gains were similar for treatments i–iii at 1.03 kg/head. Feeding supplementary barley increased rate of gain to 1.19 kg (P < 0.01), produced an additional 20 kg liveweight per steer per season and was utilized with an average efficiency of 6.6 kg dry matter per kilogram gain. Average daily gain varied significantly (P < 0.01) between years and was inversely related to dry matter production. The feeding of oat soilage or barley and the harvesting and feeding of silage reduced the variation in gain both within and between seasons compared to the put and take stocking system. Factors affecting the selection of the most appropriate management system by a producer are discussed.

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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT AND RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN SOYBEANS

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps77-001 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

B. R. BUTTERY ◽

R. I. BUZZELL

Keyword(s):

Linear Regression ◽

Chlorophyll Content ◽

Photosynthetic Rate ◽

Regression Line ◽

Quadratic Equation ◽

Chlorophyll Contents ◽

Rate Of Photosynthesis ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

The Relationship ◽

Selection Of

Photosynthetic rate of soybeans (on a leaf area basis, PA) estimated from the incorporation of 14CO2 under field conditions was highly correlated with chlorophyll content of the side leaflets of the same leaves. Among a collection of 48 cultivars, the linear regression of PA on chlorophyll content accounted for 44% of the variation, whereas with a selection of genotypes with various mutant chlorophyll genes, the regression accounted for 81%. When the data for the two tests were re-calculated relative to the check cv. Altona, a quadratic equation between PA and chlorophyll accounted for nearly 90% of the variation. When photosynthetic rate was expressed on a unit chlorophyll basis (Pc), no significant differences among lines were established in the cultivar test. In the mutants test, significant differences in Pc were established with higher values of Pc associated with lower chlorophyll contents; a linear regression accounted for 45% of the variation. Transformation of the data from both experiments relative to Altona allowed the fitting of a common regression line (quadratic) which accounted for 63% of the variation. We suggest that initial screening of progenies in a breeding program for high photosynthetic rate could be done by measuring chlorophyll content.

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The use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict the nutritive value of standard commercial diets for post-weaned pigs

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200029471 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2009 ◽

pp. 108-108

Author(s):

M E E McCann ◽

R Park ◽

M J Hutchinson ◽

B Owens ◽

V E Beattie

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽

Infrared Reflectance ◽

Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽

Near Infrared Reflectance ◽

Feed Ingredients ◽

Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽

Whole Wheat ◽

Complete Diet

In order to assess the nutritive value of pig diets, performance and digestibility trials must be conducted as there is no accurate alternative to predict nutritive value. However, the use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict performance from feed ingredients has been shown to have potential. Owens et al (2007) investigated the use of NIRS to predict the performance of broilers offered wheat-based diets, through scanning of whole wheat, and observed that NIRS accurately predicted liveweight gain and gain:feed. The aim of this study was to investigate if NIRS could be used to predict the performance of pigs, through scanning of the complete diet.

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DETERMINATION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF A DIETARY ALLOWANCE OF PROTEIN FOR INFANTS

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.23.2.384 ◽

1959 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 384-399

Author(s):

Charles D. May

Keyword(s):

National Research Council ◽

Artificial Feeding ◽

Cow’S Milk ◽

Market Place ◽

Cow's Milk ◽

Dietary Allowance ◽

Food And Nutrition ◽

Selection Of

PROBABLY the greatest contributions to successful artificial feeding of infants that will ever be witnessed have already been made, namely: the discovery of the importance of bacterial contamination; the recognition of the role of vitamins; and the realization that fresh cow's milk produces large curds in the infant's stomach and must be treated by heat or other means to improve its digestibility. Elimination of these major handicaps of artificial feeding permitted attention to be focused on determination of precise figures for the amounts of individual nutrients which should be supplied by the diet to foster sound nutrition. Especial interest was attracted by the question of the relative adequacy of the protein in cow's milk and human milk. This called for refinement in methods of appraising the state of nutrition and clarification of the ultimate goal in infant feeding—the most desirable state of nutrition. Premature or excessive emphasis on selection of a figure for the dietary allowance of a nutrient is liable to arouse emotional controversy and distract nutritionists from the fundamental issues involved in judging nutritional status. Progress in the science of nutrition could easily be hampered by satisfaction with the sort of pseudosophistication so readily conveyed by plain numbers. If a figure for an allowance is proposed, there is a great temptation to exploit such a handy value by matching the composition of food products against this kind of "standard." The clamor of conflicting claims in the market place threatens to obscure the deficiencies in the fundamental knowledge upon which a meaningful figure for the allowance of protein or any other nutrient must be based. The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council has now wisely recognized these considerations by not including a figure for protein allowance in infancy in the 1958 revision of their Recommended Dietary Allowances which states: "Breast-feeding is the best and desired procedure for meeting the nutrient requirements in the first months of life." This is a favorable setting in which to survey the principles which should govern the determination of the dietary allowance of protein for infants and to dwell upon the significance to be attached to any value proposed.

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