Use of accelerometers to assess and describe trailer motion and its impact on carcass bruising in market cows transported under North American conditions.

Increased trailer motion, coupled with large accelerations and decelerations, has been associated with decreased carcass quality and increased stress indicators in cattle, sheep, and hogs. However, motion of livestock trailers has not been measured in North-American cattle semi-trailers over long distances (> 1000 km). The objectives of this study were to develop a practical method of measuring transport trailer accelerations, to describe the range of accelerations cattle are exposed to under North American conditions, and to conduct a preliminary analysis of trailer accelerations for each compartment and its effect on carcass bruising. The root mean square (RMS) of acceleration was measured at a sampling rate of 200 Hz in 3 orthogonal axes; x (vertical), y (front-to-rear), and z (lateral; side-to-side) by clamping an accelerometer to the cross beam below each of the five compartments of 8 trailers transporting a total of 330 animals (674 ± 33.3 kg BW) from an assembly yard to a processing facility. Journeys took place on separate days and ranged in duration from 13 to 15.7 h. The number and severity of bruises per carcass were determined prior to trimming for n = 290 carcasses and the number of bruises per carcass ranged between 0.38 and 12.75, whereas the bruising score per carcass ranged between 0.38 and 14.88. Mean number of bruises and severity of bruises (bruising scores were assigned according to size using a three-point scale: 1) ≤ 6.5 cm, 2) 6.5 to 12 cm, and 3) ≥ 12 cm and bruising severity was determined by applying the weighted score to each bruise according to bruise area) per carcass was 4.52 ± 2.43 (n) and 5.31 ± 2.84, respectively. Accelerations in commercial transport vehicles were found to range between 0.33 and 1.90 m/s2, whereas the mean RMS of acceleration for all trailers (n = 31 accelerometers) was 1.01 ± 0.32 m/s2, 0.72 ± 0.31 m/s2, and 0.97 ± 0.30 m/s2 for the x, y, and z axes, respectively. Horizontal acceleration was greatest in the nose, back, and doghouse compartments (P = 0.05), whereas lateral acceleration was greatest in the nose and back compartments (P = 0.08). Although the nose, back, and doghouse compartments had the highest RMS values for the lateral and horizontal axes, there were no significant relationships between bruising and acceleration. Replication of this research is required to further understand the relationships between trailer motion, carcass bruising, and overall animal welfare in cattle transported long distances.

The SLC2A14 gene, encoding the novel glucose/dehydroascorbate transporter GLUT14, is associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Variations in intestinal antioxidant membrane transporters are implicated in the initiation and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Facilitated glucose transporter member 14 (GLUT14), encoded by the solute carrier family 2 member 14 (SLC2A14) gene, is a putative transporter for dehydroascorbic acid and glucose. Although information on the gene is limited, shorter and longer GLUT14 isoforms have been identified. We hypothesized that GLUT14 mediates glucose and dehydroascorbic acid uptake. If this function could be validated, then genetic variations may associate with IBD.Objective: This study aimed to determine the substrate(s) for the GLUT14 protein and interrogated genetic associations of SLC2A14 with IBD.Design: The uptake of radiolabeled substrates into Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing the 2 GLUT14 isoforms was assessed. Examination of gene-targeted genetic association in the Manitoba Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study was conducted through the genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) representing linkage blocks of the SLC2A14 gene.Results: Both GLUT14 isoforms mediated the uptake of dehydroascorbic acid and glucose into X. laevis oocytes. Three alleles in the SLC2A14 gene associated independently with IBD. The odds of having ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn disease (CD) were elevated in carriers of the SLC2A14 SNP rs2889504-T allele (OR: 3.60; 95% CI: 1.95, 6.64 and OR: 4.68; 95% CI: 2.78, 8.50, respectively). Similarly, the SNP rs10846086-G allele was associated with an increased risk of both UC and CD (OR: 2.91; 95% CI: 1.49, 5.68 and OR: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.55, 5.78, respectively). Moreover, the SNP rs12815313-T allele associated with increased susceptibility to CD and UC (OR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.33, 3.36 and OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.57, respectively).Conclusion: These findings strengthen the hypothesis that genetically determined local dysregulation of dietary vitamin C or antioxidants transport contributes to IBD development. These transporter proteins are targetable by dietary interventions, opening the avenue to a precision intervention for patients of specific genotypes with IBD. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03262649.

High-Molecular-Weight ß-Glucan Decreases Serum Cholesterol Differentially Based on the CYP7A1 rs3808607 Polymorphism in Mildly Hypercholesterolemic Adults.

BACKGROUND: ß-Glucan, a soluble fiber with viscous property, has a documented cholesterol-lowering effect. The molecular weight (MW) of ß-glucan, which contributes to viscosity, and an individual's genotype might influence the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of ß-glucan. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine whether the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of barley ß-glucan varied as a function of MW and the daily dose consumed. Our second aim was to determine whether any gene-diet interactions are associated with the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of ß-glucan. METHODS: In a randomized controlled crossover trial, 30 mildly hypercholesterolemic adults [12 men and 18 women, aged 27-78 y; body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 20-40; total cholesterol (TC): 5.0-8.0 mmol/L; LDL cholesterol: 2.7-5.0 mmol/L] were randomly assigned to receive a breakfast that contained either barley ß-glucan at 3 g high MW (HMW)/d, 5 g low MW (LMW)/d, or 3 g LMW/d or a control diet, each for 5 wk. The washout period between the phases was 4 wk. Fasting blood samples were collected at the start and end of each phase for blood lipid analysis and genotyping. RESULTS: Consumption of 3 g HMW ß-glucan/d lowered TC by -0.12 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.24, -0.006 mmol/L) compared with the control diet (P= 0.0046), but the LMW ß-glucan, at either 3 g/d or 5 g/d, did not change serum cholesterol concentrations. This effect of HMW ß-glucan was associated with gene-diet interaction, whereby individuals with the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3808607-G allele (GG or GT) of the cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1 gene (CYP7A1) had greater responses to 3 g HMW ß-glucan/d in lowering TC than TT carriers (P= 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: The HMW ß-glucan rather than LMW ß-glucan reduced circulating TC effectively in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults. The cholesterol-lowering effect of ß-glucan may also be determined by the genetic characteristics of an individual. These data show that individuals carrying theCYP7A1SNP rs3808607-G allele are more responsive to the cholesterol-lowering effect of ß-glucan with HMW than TT carriers. This trial was registered atclinicaltrials.govasNCT01408719.

Efficacy of needle-free injection on antibody production against Clostridium chauvoei in beef calves under field conditions.

This study compared needle-free and needle-based injection devices for vaccination of calves against Clostridium chauvoei in warm and cold conditions. Both devices elicited comparable antibody responses in calves. Needle-free injection devices can be used to vaccinate calves provided appropriate precautions are taken in cold weather.

Efficacité de l'injection sans seringue sur la production d'anticorps contreClostridium chauvoeichez les veaux de boucherie dans des conditions sur le terrain. Cette étude a comparé les dispositifs à injection sans seringue et avec seringue pour la vaccination des veaux contre Clostridium chauvoei dans des conditions par temps chaud et froid. Les deux dispositifs ont provoqué des réponses comparables des anticorps chez les veaux. Des dispositifs d'injection sans seringue peuvent être utilisés pour vacciner les veaux pourvu que des précautions appropriées soient prises par temps froid.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Does access to a colorectal cancer screening website and/or a nurse-managed telephone help line provided to patients by their family physician increase fecal occult blood test uptake?: results from a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the effectiveness of a patient decision aid (nurse-managed telephone support line and/or colorectal cancer screening website), distributed to patients by their family physician, in improving fecal occult blood test (FOBT) colorectal cancer screening rates. METHODS: A pragmatic, two arm, cluster randomized controlled trial in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (39 medical clinic clusters; 79 fee-for-service family physicians; 2,395 average risk patients). All physicians followed their standard clinical screening practice. Intervention group physicians provided a fridge magnet to patients that facilitated patient decision aid access. Primary endpoint was FOBT screening rate within four months.Multi-level logistic regression to determine effect of cluster, physician, and patient level factors on patient FOBT completion rate. ICC determined. RESULTS: Family physicians were randomized to control (n = 39) and intervention (n = 40) groups. Compared to controls (56.9%; n = 663/1165), patients receiving the intervention had a higher FOBT completion rate (66.6%; n = 805/1209; OR of 1.47; 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 2.03; p < 0.02). Patient aid utilization was low (1.1%; 13/1,221) and neither internet nor telephone access affected screening rates for the intervention group. FOBT screening rates differed among clinics and physicians (p < 0.0001). Patients whose physician promoted the FOBT were more likely to complete it (65%; n = 1140/1755) compared to those whose physician did not (51.1%; n = 242/470; p < 0.0001; OR of 1.54 and 95% CI of 1.23 to 1.92). Patients reporting they had done an FOBT in the past were more likely to complete the test (70.6%; n = 1141/1616; p < 0.0001; 95% CI 2.51 to 3.73) than those who had not (43%; n = 303/705). Patients 50-59 years old had lower screening rates compared to those over 60 (p < 0.0001). 75% of patients completing the test did so in 34 days. CONCLUSION: Despite minimal use of the patient aid, intervention group patients were more likely to complete the FOBT. Powerful strategies to increase colorectal cancer screening rates include a recommendation to do the test from the family physician and focusing efforts on patients age 50-59 years to ensure they complete their first FOBT. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01026753.

Off-Stream Watering Systems and Partial Barriers as a Strategy to Maximize Cattle Production and Minimize Time Spent in the Riparian Area.

A study was conducted in 2009 at two locations in Manitoba (Killarney and Souris), Canada to determine the impact of off-stream waterers (OSW) with or without natural barriers on (i) amount of time cattle spent in the 10 m buffer created within the riparian area, referred to as the riparian polygon (RP), (ii) watering location (OSW or stream), and (iii) animal performance measured as weight gain. This study was divided into three 28-day periods over the grazing season. At each location, the pasture-which ranged from 21.0 ha to 39.2 ha in size-was divided into three treatments: no OSW nor barriers (1CONT), OSW with barriers along the stream bank to deter cattle from watering at the stream (2BARR), and OSW without barriers (3NOBARR). Cattle in 2BARR spent less time in the RP in Periods 1 (p = 0.0002), 2 (p = 0.1116), and 3 (p < 0.0001) at the Killarney site compared to cattle in 3NOBARR at the same site. Cattle in 2BARR at the Souris site spent more time in the RP in Period 1 (p < 0.0001) and less time in Period 2 (p = 0.0002) compared to cattle in 3NOBARR. Cattle did use the OSW, but not exclusively, as watering at the stream was still observed. The observed inconsistency in the effectiveness of the natural barriers on deterring cattle from the riparian area between periods and locations may be partly attributable to the environmental conditions present during this field trial as well as difference in pasture size and the ability of the established barriers to deter cattle from using the stream as a water source. Treatment had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on cow and calf weights averaged over the summer period. These results indicate that the presence of an OSW does not create significant differences in animal performance when used in extensive pasture scenarios such as those studied within the present study. Whereas the barriers did not consistently discourage watering at the stream, the results provide some indication of the efficacy of the OSW as well as the natural barriers on deterring cattle from the riparian area.

A study of the effectiveness of a needle-free injection device compared with a needle and syringe used to vaccinate calves against bovine viral diarrhea and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis viruses.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a needle-free injection device (NF) with a needle and syringe (NS) when used to vaccinate calves against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV). The study was conducted in two independent phases. Ninety-six crossbred beef calves were vaccinated in the spring and 98 beef calves in the autumn. The calves were vaccinated using a NF or NS at 2 months of age (day 0) and again on day 119, with a modified-live virus vaccine containing IBRV, BVDV (types 1 and 2), parainfluenza-3 virus, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus. In each herd 10 calves were left unvaccinated to determine whether exposure to either BVDV or IBRV occurred. Visible vaccine residue at the surface of the skin/hair was apparent immediately following vaccination with NF in 30% of the spring-born calves following both the primary and booster vaccination. In the autumn, visible vaccine residues occurred in 19% and 8% of NF-vaccinated calves following the primary and booster vaccination. Post-vaccination skin reactions recorded on days 21, 42, 119 and 140 occurred with greater frequency in NF-vaccinated calves than NS-vaccinated ones. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 21, 42, 119, and 140 and tested for antibodies to BVDV and IBRV. Vaccination technique had no significant effect on BVDV or IBRV antibody concentrations at any time point. NF was as effective as NS vaccination in eliciting BVDV and IBRV antibody responses.

Developing rainfall- and temperature-based models to describe infection of canola under field conditions caused by pycnidiospores of Leptosphaeria maculans.

Blackleg, also known as Phoma stem canker, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans (Phoma lingam), is one of the most serious diseases of canola worldwide. In this study, the mean disease severity (Ds) and incidence (Di) of canola cv. Westar plants infected at the cotyledon, three-leaf, and six-leaf stages by pycnidiospores of L. maculans were monitored in the greenhouse after infection of the plants under field conditions in two successive years and associated with meteorological data during infection time. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that total rainfall per week (R) was significantly correlated to Ds on plants infected at the cotyledon, three-leaf, and six-leaf stages, and average maximum temperature per week (Tmax) only showed significant correlation with plants infected at the cotyledon and six-leaf stages. These results also indicated that there is correlation between Di and R for plants infected at all three growth stages. A nonlinear model was developed to evaluate the combined effects of R and Tmax on Ds. The best model comprised monomolecular function and beta probability density function for plants infected at the above three growth stages. Parameters, including maximum potential for Ds at a given rainfall (d(max)), rate of changes with respect to rainfall (k), constant of integration (B), maximum potential for Ds with respect to Tmax (e), rate of increase with increasing Tmax to optimum (n), and rate of decrease as Tmax increased and passed the optimum Tmax (p), were estimated for plants infected at the above three growth stages. The effect of plant growth stage was characterized by differences in the upper limit parameter a. This parameter was greater for the plants infected at the cotyledon stage than for plants infected at the other two stages. The estimate of parameter k was the same for the plants infected at the cotyledon and three-leaf stages. This parameter was much lower for the plants infected at the six-leaf stage compared with two other stages. The logistic model could describe the disease incidence with respect to R slightly better than the other two models in the plants infected at all three growth stages. Based on the model, upper-limit estimate (d(max)) was approximately 100, 94.4, and 88.8% in the plants infected at cotyledon, three-leaf, and six-leaf stages, respectively. Di increased until rainfall reached approximately 18, 10, and 13 mm/week and became constant in the plants at cotyledon, three-leaf, and six-leaf stages, respectively. Effects of plant growth stage on the rate of change with respect to R (parameter k) were lower in the plants infected at cotyledon than at the other two stages. The accuracy of the nonlinear models suggests that they could be used to develop a comprehensive model to evaluate epidemics of blackleg based on pycnidiospores as sources of inoculum. However, additional years of data collection should improve model fit and evaluation of introduced models and contribute to the development of a more robust predictive model.

Dietary trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid reduces early glomerular enlargement and elevated renal cyclooxygenase-2 levels in young obese fa/fa zucker rats.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) slows the progression of disease in models of chronic kidney disease. Because obesity is associated with nephropathy and increased renal cyclooxygenase (COX) levels, the effects of dietary CLA on kidney function, morphology, and COX protein levels in the kidneys of young obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats, a model of metabolic syndrome, were examined. In study 1, 6-wk-old fa/fa and lean Zucker rats were given a mixture of CLA isomers (1.5% CLA, wt:wt) or the control diet (CTL) with no CLA for 8 wk. To examine specific isomer effects, study 2 used the same model with the following diets: 0.4% (g/g) cis-9, trans-11 (c9,t11) CLA; 0.4% trans-10, cis-12 (t10,c12) CLA; a combination of these 2 isomers (0.4% each); or CTL diets with no CLA. In study 1, fa/fa rats given the CLA mixture had 11% smaller kidney weights and 28% smaller glomeruli, and feed intake and body weight did not differ from the CTL rats. In study 2, diet also did not affect body weights, but fa/fa rats given a diet containing t10,c12 CLA had 7% lower kidney weights, 20% smaller glomeruli, and 39% lower COX-2 protein levels than CTL rats. In conclusion, dietary t10,c12 CLA reduces the enlargement of glomeruli in young obesity-associated nephropathy and is associated with lower protein levels of renal COX-2. Long-term studies with CLA supplementation are required to determine whether these changes would lead to reduction in development of renal disease associated with obesity.

Molecular mapping of quantitative trait loci for yield and yield components in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

An F1 derived doubled haploid (DH) population of 402 lines from the adapted spring wheat cross Superb (high yielding)/BW278 (low yielding) was developed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with yield and yield components. A subset of the population (186 lines) was evaluated in replicated field trials in 2001 and 2002 at six locations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada. Agronomic parameters, grain yield and yield components including 1,000 grain weight, harvest index, average seed weight spike(-1), seed number spike(-1) and spikes number m(-2) were measured. A genetic map was constructed with 268 microsatellite marker loci and included two morphological genes, reduced plant height, Rht-B1b, and the presence/absence of awns, B1. Composite interval mapping was conducted to estimate the location and effect of QTL associated with the evaluated traits. A total of 53 QTL were identified on 12 chromosomes for the 9 evaluated traits with the coefficient of determination ranging from 0.03 to 0.21 of the total variation. The increase in yield and yield components ranged from 4.5 to 17.1% over the population mean. The five grain yield QTL were detected on chromosomes 1A, 2D, 3B, and 5A and showed a combined increase of 34.4%, over the population mean. The alleles from Superb were associated with increased yield for four of the five QTL. This study identified potential chromosome segments for use in marker-assisted selection to improve yield and yield components in spring wheat.

Selective COX-2 inhibition markedly slows disease progression and attenuates altered prostanoid production in Han:SPRD-cy rats with inherited kidney disease.

Selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors appear to have beneficial renoprotective effects in most, but not all, renal disease conditions. The objective of our study was to examine the effects of COX-2 inhibition in a rat model of polycystic kidney disease. Four-week-old Han:SPRD-cy rats were given a standard rodent diet containing NS-398 (3 mg.kg body wt(-1).day(-1)) or a control diet without NS-398 for 7 wk. In diseased rats, selective COX-2 inhibition resulted in 18% and 67% reduction in cystic expansion and interstitial fibrosis, respectively, but no change in renal function. NS-398 also ameliorated disease-associated pathologies, such as renal inflammation, cell proliferation, and oxidant injury (by 33, 38, and 59%, respectively). Kidney disease was associated with elevated renal COX-1 and COX-2 enzyme activities, and NS-398 blunted the increase in COX-2 enzyme activity (as indicated by 21 and 28% lower renal thromboxane B2 and PGE2 levels, respectively). NS-398 reduced urinary excretion of prostanoid metabolites in diseased rats. In summary, COX-2 inhibition attenuated renal injury, reduced the elevated renal COX-2 activity, and ameliorated disease-related alterations in prostanoid production in this rat model of chronic renal disease.