Pulmonary arterial pressure as an indicator for high altitude disease in cattle: breed differences and relationships with growth performance

Includes bibliographical references.2015 Fall.High altitude disease (HAD), commonly known as brisket disease, is a natural occurring phenomenon in cattle. This disease occurs most often in high altitude (> 1,500 m) environments, where adaptability to the hypoxic conditions may be insufficient. Pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) scores are the most useful tool available to cattle producers in predicting an animal’s susceptibility to HAD. The all-encompassing objectives for this thesis were to delineate the important factors influencing PAP scores and understand the relationships between PAP scores and other performance traits, where selection for more favorable PAP may have adverse effects on those performance traits. Two sources of data were used for this thesis: Historical records from the San Juan Basin Research Center, 4-Corners Bull Test (1983 to 2005; n = 2,041) and from the Colorado State University Beef Improvement Center (1993 to 2014; CSU-BIC; n = 8,718). For the 4-Corners study, data of yearling age and breed of cattle were used to determine how PAP varies with regards to both of these effects. The model of birth year, pen, breed, and yearling age effects on yearling PAP revealed these terms were all significant predictors of PAP (P < 0.01). With every one-day increase in yearling age, PAP increased by 0.03 (± 0.01) mm Hg (P < 0.01) with a mean PAP of 45.2 ± 12.8 mm Hg. Breed was found to be a highly significant factor (P < 0.001) in the model influencing PAP scores for bulls developed at high altitude. There was a 13.8-mm Hg range between breeds with the lowest adjusted PAP estimate to those with the highest adjusted PAP. The results suggested that appropriate breed selection based on reduced PAP scores could be advantageous in reducing the susceptibility of cattle to HAD and subsequent death due to pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure. The CSU-BIC data contained production weight traits of birth (36.2 ± 5.1), weaning (213.5 ± 31.8), yearling (345.6 ± 83.9), and post-weaning gain (121.9 ± 63.7) and PAP (42.4 ± 9.9) scores and these data were used to estimate heritabilities and relationships amongst them (mean ± SD; kg). Single-trait, two-trait, and multi-trait models revealed genetic correlations between PAP and the weight traits ranging from -0.11 ± 0.10 to 0.23 ± 0.08. An advantage to using a multi-trait model over a two-trait model is the increase in heritability due to the increase of information from more traits evaluated. Results of this study suggested that selection for lower PAP should not have adverse effects on the growth performance traits evaluated

Calcium signaling genes in association with altitude-induced pulmonary hypertension in Angus cattle

2019 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.This research used multi-omics technology (i.e., RNA-seq, qPCR for gene expression, SNP discovery and validation) to understand the influence of a particular subset genes on altitude-induced pulmonary hypertension susceptibility in Angus cattle. Three research aims were established to test the hypothesis that calcium-related genes may be associated with pulmonary hypertension in beef cattle. Data and samples utilized for the research came from the Colorado State University Beef Improvement Center Angus herd managed at 2,150 m of altitude. Transcriptome data from 6 tissues and 14 hypertensive and normotensive Angus steers were utilized for differential expression and pathway analyses. The objectives of the first aim were to: 1) to estimate and identify differentially expressed genes from RNA-Seq and pathway analyses, and 2) select putative candidate genes to analyze with qPCR (gene expression level). The largest number of DE genes was revealed in aorta (n = 631) and right ventricle (n = 2,183) samples. Top canonical pathways related to calcium signaling or utilization included: synaptic long-term depression, signaling by Rho family GTPases, and oxidative phosphorylation. Genes regulating calcium availability and utilization were expressed differently (log2 fold change > 0.589, < -0.589; P < 0.05) in Angus cattle with and without pulmonary hypertension. Isolated RNA from cardiac muscle (n = 9) and control muscle (n = 2) tissues from hypertensive and normotensive Angus steers were utilized to estimate gene expression using quantitative reverse transcription PCR in the candidate genes from Chapter 3. The objectives of this chapter were: 1) to establish the most appropriate reference genes in cardiac muscle tissues, and 2) to estimate and validated relative gene expression of calcium-related genes in cardiac muscle tissues using qPCR methods. Differences (P < 0.0055) among hypertensive and normotensive steers were estimated for right papillary muscle and right cardiac ventricle tissues (top, middle, and bottom) in candidate genes: ASIC2, EDN1, NOX4, PLA2G4A, RCAN1, and THBS4. Results of the current study validate the expression differences previously established of genes that regulate the availability and utilization of calcium with PH status in Angus steers at high altitude. Variant detection and association analyses were completed with 2 sets of available -omics data to identify opportunities for development of selection tools for reduced susceptibility to PH. The objectives of the third aim were to: 1) detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the transcriptome of 6 tissues, and 2) identify functional consequences of those variants associated with validated candidate genes from qPCR analyses. Pooled Angus sample analysis revealed 68 SNP in the 6 candidate genes: ASIC2, EDN1, NOX4, PLA2G4A, RCAN1, and THBS4. Thirty-eight SNP were revealed in the hypertensive group and 8 SNP in the normotensive steer group. Ten of the 68 identified SNP are utilized on large density commercially available bovine SNP chips (Illumina BovineHD BeadChip; GeneSeek Genomic Profiler HD; GeneSeek Genomic Profiler HDv2; Affymetrix Axiom Bovine). Analysis of transcriptome data identified SNP within genes regulating calcium availability and utilization, enhancing our understanding of sequence polymorphisms that may be involved in regulating pulmonary hypertension in Angus cattle raised at high altitude. These SNP are available for additional validation and potential use in genetic improvement programs

Mediators of longitudinal associations between television viewing and eating behaviours in adolescents

Background: Television viewing has been associated with poor eating behaviours in adolescents. Changing unhealthy eating behaviours is most likely to be achieved by identifying and targeting factors shown to mediate the association between these behaviours. However, little is known about the mediators of the associations between television viewing and eating behaviours. The aim of this study was to examine mediators of the longitudinal associations between television viewing (TV) and eating behaviours among Australian adolescents.Method: Eating behaviours were assessed using a web-based survey completed by a community-based sample of 1729 adolescents from years 7 and 9 of secondary schools in Victoria, Australia, at baseline (2004-2005) and two years later. TV viewing and the potential mediators (snacking while watching TV and perceived value of TV viewing) were assessed via the web-based survey at baseline.Results: Adolescents who watched more than two hours of TV/day had higher intakes of energy-dense snacks and beverages, and lower intakes of fruit two years later. Furthermore, the associations between TV viewing and consumption of energy-dense snacks, energy-dense drinks and fruit were mediated by snacking while watching TV. Perceived value of TV viewing mediated the association between TV viewing and consumption of energy-dense snacks, beverages and fruit.Conclusion: Snacking while watching TV and perceived value of TV viewing mediated the longitudinal association between TV viewing and eating behaviours among adolescents. The efficacy of methods to reduce TV viewing, change snacking habits while watching TV, and address the values that adolescents place on TV viewing should be examined in an effort to promote healthy eating among adolescents.<br /

Maternal and best friends\u27 influences on meal-skipping behaviours

Skipping meals is particularly common during adolescence and can have a detrimental effect on multiple aspects of adolescent health.&nbsp;Understanding the correlates of meal-skipping behaviours is important for the design of nutrition interventions. The present study examined&nbsp;maternal and best friends&rsquo; influences on adolescent meal-skipping behaviours. Frequency of skipping breakfast, lunch and dinner was&nbsp;assessed using a Web-based survey completed by 3001 adolescent boys and girls from years 7 and 9 of secondary schools in Victoria,&nbsp;Australia. Perceived best friend and maternal meal skipping, modelling of healthy eating (eating healthy food, limiting junk food,&nbsp;eating fruit and vegetables) and weight watching were assessed. Best friend and maternal factors were differentially associated with&nbsp;meal-skipping behaviours. For example, boys and girls who perceived that their best friend often skipped meals were more likely to&nbsp;skip lunch (OR &frac14; 2&middot;01, 95% CI 1&middot;33, 3&middot;04 and OR &frac14; 1&middot;93, 95% CI 1&middot;41, 2&middot;65; P,0&middot;001). Boys and girls who perceived that their mother&nbsp;often skipped meals were more likely to skip breakfast (OR &frac14; 1&middot;48, 95% CI 1&middot;01, 2&middot;15; P,0&middot;05 and OR &frac14; 1&middot;93, 95% CI 1&middot;42, 2&middot;59;&nbsp;P,0&middot;001) and lunch (OR &frac14; 2&middot;05, 95% CI 1&middot;35, 3&middot;12 and OR &frac14; 2&middot;02, 95% CI 1&middot;43, 2&middot;86; P,0&middot;001). Educating adolescents on how to&nbsp;assess and interpret unhealthy eating behaviours that they observe from significant others may be one nutrition promotion strategy to&nbsp;reduce meal-skipping behaviour. The involvement of mothers may be particularly important in such efforts. Encouraging a peer subculture&nbsp;that promotes regular consumption of meals and educates adolescents on the detrimental impact of meal-skipping behaviour on health&nbsp;may also offer a promising nutrition promotion strategy.</span

Examining the association between discrimination and risky social networks among illicit drug users

Discrimination is a predictor of increased drug use initiation. Thus, discrimination may systematically marginalize stigmatized individuals into risky social networks (e.g., networks with high burden of disease) that facilitate HIV transmission. Therefore, even when individual risk behaviors are low, membership in high risk network may perpetuate disease transmission. Studies have shown that black and Hispanic drug users exhibit lower drug and sexual risk behaviors, yet they are most affected by HIV. Since blacks and Hispanics experience discrimination more often than whites, this relationship may explain their increased likelihood of HIV prevalence. In order to assess whether an association between discrimination and risky social networks existed and whether this relationship was modified among blacks and Hispanics, we used data from the Social Ties Associated with Risk of Transition (START) study. START (n=652) is a prospective cohort study among non-injection drug users (never injected and used non-injection heroin/crack/cocaine ≥ year at least 2-3 times/ week) and a cross-sectional sample of newly initiated injection drug users (heroin/crack/cocaine injectors ≤ 3 years) recruited through respondent driven sampling and targeted street outreach in ethnographically mapped high drug activity NYC neighborhoods. We also combined START data with 2000 US Census data to examine whether neighborhood structural factors (e.g., poverty, education, minority composition and social cohesion) exacerbated the relationship between discrimination and risky social networks. Using log-binomial regression and population average modeling for neighborhood analyses, discrimination was shown to be significantly associated with more drug and sexual risk networks. Among blacks, discrimination due to race and drug use were important for having more embedded sex networks. Among whites and Hispanics, discrimination due to incarceration and drug use was significantly associated with embedded heroin and injection networks. Finally, the relationship between drug use discrimination and more embedded heroin and injecting networks was also magnified among illicit drug users that are members of neighborhoods characterized by lower minority composition, less education and poorer social cohesion. More research is needed to better understand the how race/ ethnicity and neighborhood influence the socio-contextual process between discrimination and risky social networks

Infertile women who screen positive for depression are less likely to initiate fertility treatments

Are infertile women who screen positive for depression less likely to initiate infertility treatments? Infertile women who screen positive for depression are less likely to initiate treatment for infertility. Infertility imposes a psychological burden on many couples. Depression and anxiety have been demonstrated in ~40% of infertile women, which is twice that of fertile women. Further, the psychological burden associated with infertility treatment has been cited as a major factor for discontinuation of infertility care. Prospective, observational study in a clinical-based cohort of 416 women who completed a questionnaire after the new patient visit, from January 2013 until December 2014 inclusive. All new female infertility patients (n = 959) seen between January 2013 and December 2014 at University of North Carolina Fertility received an electronic questionnaire to screen for mental health disorders and to evaluate their perception of mental health disorders on infertility. Of 959 surveys sent, 416 women completed the questionnaire (43%). The prevalence screening positive for depression, using the NIH PROMIS screening tool, was 41%. Sixty-two percent of all women initiated infertility treatment, and of these, 81% did so within 4 months. In multivariate analysis, women who screened positive for depression had 0.55 times the odds of initiating treatment for infertility (95% CI: 0.31-0.95). Similarly, women who screened positive for depression had 0.58 times the odds of initiating infertility treatment within 4 months (95% CI: 0.35-0.97), which was the time of censoring from the most recent patient evaluated. Women who screened positive for depression were less likely to pursue treatment with oral medications or IVF (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively), as compared to women who did not screen positive for depression. Questionnaire-based evaluations may result in a lower prevalence of psychological disorder as some participants feign emotional well-being. Although we did not identify differences in women who responded to our survey and those who did not, responder bias may still be present. In addition, infertility is a couple's disease. However, this study only included psychological evaluation of the female partner. We have no information about the women's previous treatment. Screening for depression is important in the infertility patient population, as further evaluation and psychological interventions may improve compliance with fertility treatments, quality of life, and potentially, the overall chance of pregnancy. None

Securities Fraud Prosecutions: Still Viable Under California Securities Law After Simon?

This Article discusses the prospect of securities fraud criminal prosecutions after the landmark decision People v. Simon, decided by the California Supreme Court in 1995. The California Supreme Court held that neither guilty knowledge nor criminal intent was required for a criminal conviction under Corporations Code 25401. This Article poses the question as to whether criminal prosecution is still a viable tool for enforcing California\u27s anti-fraud provision. The authors answer the question with a resounding yes, concluding that criminal prosecution for securities fraud will continue even in the aftermath of Simon

Are parental concerns for child TV viewing associated with child TV viewing and the home sedentary environment?

BackgroundTime spent watching television affects multiple aspects of child and adolescent health. Although a diverse range of factors have been found to be associated with young people\u27s television viewing, parents and the home environment are particularly influential. However, little is known about whether parents, particularly those who are concerned about their child\u27s television viewing habits, translate their concern into action by providing supportive home environments (e.g. rules restricting screen-time behaviours, limited access to screen-based media). The aim of this study was to examine associations between parental concerns for child television viewing and child television viewing and the home sedentary environment.MethodsParents of children aged 5-6 years (\u27younger\u27 children, n = 430) and 10-12 years (\u27older children\u27, n = 640) reported usual duration of their child\u27s television (TV) viewing, their concerns regarding the amount of time their child spends watching TV, and on aspects of the home environment. Regression analyses examined associations between parental concern and child TV viewing, and between parental concern and aspects of the home environment. Analyses were stratified by age group.ResultsChildren of concerned parents watched more TV than those whose parents were not concerned (B = 9.63, 95% CI = 1.58-17.68, p = 0.02 and B = 15.82, 95% CI = 8.85-22.80, p &lt; 0.01, for younger and older children respectively). Parental concern was positively associated with younger children eating dinner in front of the television, and with parental restriction of sedentary behaviours and offering sedentary activities (i.e. TV viewing or computer use) as a reward for good behaviour among older and young children. Furthermore, parents of older children who were concerned had fewer televisions in the home and a lower count of sedentary equipment in the home.ConclusionsChildren of concerned parents watched more TV than those whose parents who were not concerned. Parents appear to recognise excessive television viewing in their children and these parents appear to engage in conflicting parental approaches despite these concerns. Interventions targeting concerned parents may be an innovative way of reaching children most in need of strategies to reduce their television viewing and harnessing this parental concern may offer considerable opportunity to change the family and home environment.<br /