USDA animal genomics program: the view from the chicken coop

In 2007, the USDA Animal Genomics Strategic Planning Task Force prepared a Blueprint to direct national needs for future research, education, and extension efforts in agricultural animal genomics. This plan is entitled "Blueprint for USDA Efforts in Agricultural Animal Genomics 2008–2017". The Blueprint is reviewed from the perspective of a molecular biologist working within the poultry breeding industry. The diverse species used in animal agriculture require different tools, resources and technologies for their improvement. The specific requirements for chickens are described in this report

Ontogeny, expression and molecular characterization of the A blood group system of the chicken

A monoclonal antibody (ISU-cA) was characterized that recognized certain alloantigens of the chicken A blood group locus. It was specific for A[superscript]3, A[superscript]4 and A[superscript]8 antigens, but not for A[superscript]2 or A[superscript]5 antigens. Specificity of ISU-cA for A blood group antigens was demonstrated by serologic analyses, genetic crosses, competitive binding between ISU-cA and blood group A-specific alloantisera and immunoprecipitation of identical molecules with ISU-cA and alloantisera. Blood group A antigens were detectable on erythrocytes from 3 days of incubation and gradually increased in expression until adulthood. Antigen expression of heterozygotes was intermediate in level between those of each homozygous parent confirming the co-dominant expression of blood group antigens. Flow cytometric analyses showed that the increase in antigen expression with age was due to an increase in the level of A antigen expression on individual erythrocytes. The SDS-PAGE showed relative molecular weights of 53 Kd for A[superscript]2 and 54.5 Kd for A[superscript]4. The non-reduced molecular weight for both antigens of 44.5 Kd suggested the presence of intra-chain disulfide bonds. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis indicated that A blood group antigens consist of a single, probably glycosylated, molecule with pI of approximately 6.5

Promoting Airport Walking: A Guide

A study found that signs placed in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to promote passengers walking to airport gates rather than taking shuttles resulted in several hundred more passengers a day choosing to walk (ceiling-mounted infrared sensors were used to count travelers entering and exiting the study location). The project was supported by Kresge and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study also produced a guide, "Promoting Airport Walking," intended primarily for airport managers who want their airports to encourage healthy habits and improve customer experiences

Using Our Voice

This article is made available for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or be any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic

A Celebration Like No Other

The year 2020 may be gone and, as the designated Year of the Nurse and Midwife, not celebrated as planned. In answering the call to care in a worldwide pandemic, nurses have much to be proud of. As 2021 rolls around, much remains to be done

The Symptom Experience of Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: An Integrative Review

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with limited treatment options. More than 80% of pancreatic cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages and often have debilitating symptoms, making symptom management paramount, yet the symptom experience of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) is not well understood. Objective: The purpose of this integrative review is to synthesize the current evidence regarding the symptom experience of patients with APC. Method: An integrative literature review was conducted to identify the patient symptom experience in studies published from 2005 to 2015. Results: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies used a quantitative approach; 44% were quasi-experimental, 31% were descriptive, and 25% were correlational. Physical symptoms, especially pain, were the primary focus in most studies. Fatigue, loss of appetite, and impaired sense of well-being were prevalent and reported by patients to be of high intensity. Few studies examined psychological symptoms in patients with APC, although anxiety and depression were noted. Conclusion: Findings suggest that physical and psychological symptoms are prevalent, some with high intensity. Preselection of symptom inventories limits our ability to fully understand the symptom experience of patients with APC. Future qualitative work is needed to provide a more in-depth understanding of symptoms, especially symptom quality and distress level, from patients' perspectives. More studies are needed to explore psychological symptoms and the interaction of physical and psychological symptoms. Implications for Practice: Findings help healthcare givers to better understand the symptom experience of their APC patients

Sex differences in response to Marek’s Disease: mapping quantitative trait loci regions (QTLRs) to the Z chromosome

Marek’s Disease (MD) has a significant impact on both the global poultry economy and animal welfare. The disease pathology can include neurological damage and tumour formation. Sexual dimorphism in immunity and known higher susceptibility of females to MD makes the chicken Z chromosome (GGZ) a particularly attractive target to study the chicken MD response. Previously, we used a Hy-Line F6 population from a full-sib advanced intercross line to map MD QTL regions (QTLRs) on all chicken autosomes. Here, we mapped MD QTLRs on GGZ in the previously utilized F6 population with individual genotypes and phenotypes, and in eight elite commercial egg production lines with daughter-tested sires and selective DNA pooling (SDP). Four MD QTLRs were found from each analysis. Some of these QTLRs overlap regions from previous reports. All QTLRs were tested by individuals from the same eight lines used in the SDP and genotyped with markers located within and around the QTLRs. All QTLRs were confirmed. The results exemplify the complexity of MD resistance in chickens and the complex distribution of p-values and Linkage Disequilibrium (LD) pattern and their effect on localization of the causative elements. Considering the fragments and interdigitated LD blocks while using LD to aid localization of causative elements, one must look beyond the non-significant markers, for possible distant markers and blocks in high LD with the significant block. The QTLRs found here may explain at least part of the gender differences in MD tolerance, and provide targets for mitigating the effects of MD

Detention attention: Framing a Manus Island riot

This article reports on a research project that investigated the framing of asylum seekers in the Australian news publicationsThe Australian and The Guardian Australia Edition, during their coverage of a riot that occurred in an asylum seeker processing centre on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, in February 2014. Analysis found themes of asylum seekers represented as threats to national identity, State sovereignty, and as victims. The research discusses the potential impacts framing may have on the way asylum seekers are perceived by readers of these publications. Its findings showed that the process of framing in news reports can both privilege and exclude aspects of an event being reported

Genetic Basis of Resistance to Avian Influenza

Two high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks haveseverelyaffected the poultry industryon the American continentwithin the last four years; a 2012 H7N3 outbreak in Mexicoand a 2015 H5N2 outbreak in the US. Blood samples were collectedfrom survivors of each outbreak plus age and genetics matched non-affected controls. As surviving birds could contain natural genetic mutation(s) that make them resistant to HPAI,the goal of the present study was to identify genomic regions associated with resistance to HPAIand to determinewhether resistance regionsare the same fordifferent virus strains.Four genomic regions were identified for the H5N2 outbreak and fivedifferent regions were identified for the H7N3 outbreak. The apparentdifferent genomic regions of resistance for different virus strains is achallengefor the poultry industry, as it requires amore diversified strategyfor improving resistance toAI