Comparative Performance of Crossbred Heifer Calves Fed MGA or Implanted with Synovex-H

Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial economic benefit of using hormonal growth stimulants with feedlot heifers. The feed additive melengestrol acetate (MGA) and ear implants such as Synovex-H are commonly used for this purpose. Consistent improvements in both rate of gain and feed efficiency have been shown with these growth promotants. However, relatively few trials have directly compared MGA and Synovex-H under controlled conditions. Thus, the major objective of this study was to determine merit of these two growth stimulants. In addition, this study presented an opportunity to compare the feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of two different groups of crossbred heifers

Feedlot Performance of Yearling Heifers Fed Pro-Sil Treated on Urea Supplemented Corn Silage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of cattle fed Pro-Sil treated corn silage or untreated (control) corn silage supplemented with a urea-based protein supplement at time of feeding. In addition, plastic horizontal Silopress silage bags were used to store the Pro-Sil treated and control corn silages in order to gain experience with this silage storage method

Descriptive analysis of seizures and comorbidities associated with fragile X syndrome

Background Fragile X syndrome is characterized by a myriad of physical features, behavioral features, and medical problems. Commonly found behavioral features are hyperactivity, anxiety, socialization difficulties, and ASD. There is also a higher incidence than in the general population of strabismus, otitis media, and mitral valve prolapse. In addition, one of the most common medical problems associated with FXS is an increased risk of seizures. A subset of individuals carrying the full mutation of the FMR1 gene and diagnosed with fragile X syndrome (FXS) are reported to experience seizures, mostly during the first 10 years of their life span. Methods As part of a larger project to identify genetic variants that modify the risk of seizures, we collected clinical information from 49 carriers with FXS who experienced seizures and 46 without seizures. We compared seizure type and comorbid conditions based on the source of data as well as family history of seizures. Results We found that the concordance of seizure types observed by parents and medical specialists varied by type of seizure. The most common comorbid condition among those with seizures was autism spectrum disorder (47% per medical records vs. 33% per parent report compared with 19% among those without seizures per parent report); the frequency of other comorbid conditions did not differ among groups. We found a slightly higher frequency of family members who experienced seizures among the seizure group compared with the nonseizure group. Conclusion This study confirms previously reported features of seizures in FXS, supports additional genetic factors, and highlights the importance of information sources, altogether contributing to a better understanding of seizures in FXS

Identifying susceptibility genes for primary ovarian insufficiency on the high-risk genetic background of a fragile X premutation

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordObjective: To identify modifying genes that explains the risk of fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI). Design: Gene-based, case/control association study, followed by a functional screen of highly ranked genes using a Drosophila model. Setting: Participants were recruited from academic and clinical settings. Patient(s): Women with a premutation (PM) who experienced FXPOI at the age of 35 years or younger (n = 63) and women with a PM who experienced menopause at the age of 50 years or older (n = 51) provided clinical information and a deoxyribonucleic acid sample for whole genome sequencing. The functional screen was on the basis of Drosophila TRiP lines. Intervention(s): Clinical information and a DNA sample were collected for whole genome sequencing. Main Outcome Measures: A polygenic risk score derived from common variants associated with natural age at menopause was calculated and associated with the risk of FXPOI. Genes associated with the risk of FXPOI were identified on the basis of the P-value from gene-based association test and an altered level of fecundity when knocked down in the Drosophila PM model. Results: The polygenic risk score on the basis of common variants associated with natural age at menopause explained approximately 8% of the variance in the risk of FXPOI. Further, SUMO1 and KRR1 were identified as possible modifying genes associated with the risk of FXPOI on the basis of an untargeted gene analysis of rare variants. Conclusions: In addition to the large genetic effect of a PM on ovarian function, the additive effects of common variants associated with natural age at menopause and the effect of rare modifying variants appear to play a role in FXPOI risk.Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)Fundacion Merck Salu

Silphids Attracted To Mammal Carrion At Cheltenham, Maryland

Volume: 84Start Page: 409End Page: 41

Soil Survey of Brookings County South Dakota

This survey of Brookings County will help you plan the kind of farming that will protect your soils and provide goof yields. It describes the soils; shows their location on a map; and tells what they will do under different kinds of management

Species Composition And Seasonal Abundance Of Carrion Beetles In An Oak beech Forest In The Great swamp-National wildlife-Refuge (Nj)

Volume: 92Start Page: 7End Page: 1

Impact of Virtual Simulation to Teach Concepts of Disaster Triage

Background: At a time when major disasters are occurring with increasing frequency, nurses must understand principles of disaster triage. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a virtual simulation to teach nursing students concepts of triage using the Sort, Assess, Lifesaving Interventions, and Treatment/Transport model. Method: Using a mixed methods approach, six Bachelor of Science in Nursing students participated in a Web-based, virtual simulation of an earthquake. Students took a 20-item, multiple-choice test before and after the simulation and participated in a debriefing session. Results: A Wilcoxon signed rank test suggested no statistically significant improvement on the post-test (p = .168). Qualitative data revealed the following themes: (a) Fun, (b) Appreciation for Immediate Feedback, (c) Better than Reading, and (d) Technical Issues. Conclusions: With the improvement in technology and further educational research efforts, use of virtual simulation may be a teaching solution

FXPOI: Pattern of AGG Interruptions Does not Show an Association With Age at Amenorrhea Among Women With a Premutation

Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) occurs in about 20% of women who carry a premutation allele (55–200 CGG repeats). These women develop hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and have secondary amenorrhea before age 40. A non-linear association with repeat size and risk for FXPOI has been seen in multiple studies women with a premutation: those with a mid-range of repeats are at highest risk (∼70–100 CGG repeats). Importantly, not all carriers with 70–100 repeats experience FXPOI. We investigated whether AGG interruptions, adjusted for repeat size, impacted age at secondary amenorrhea. We have reproductive history information and AGG interruption data on 262 premutation women: 164 had an established age at amenorrhea (AAA) (for some, age at onset of FXPOI) or menopause, 16 had a surgery involving the reproductive system such as a hysterectomy, and 82 women were still cycling at the last interview. Reproductive status was determined using self-report reproductive questionnaires and interviews with a reproductive endocrinologist. For each of these 262 women, FMR1 repeat size and number of AGG interruptions were determined. We confirmed the association of repeat size with AAA or menopause among women with a premutation. As expected, both premutation repeat size and the quadratic form of repeat size (i.e., squared term) were significant in a survival analysis model predicting AAA (p < 0.0001 for both variables). When number of AGG interruptions was added to the model, this variable was not significant (p = 0.59). Finally, we used a regression model based on the 164 women with established AAA to estimate the proportion of variance in AAA explained by repeat size and its squared term. Both terms were again highly significant (p < 0.0001 for both), but together only explained 13% of the variation in AAA. The non-linear association between AAA and FMR1 repeat size has been described in several studies. We have determined that AGG interruption pattern does not contribute to this association. Because only 13% of the variation is described using repeat size, it is clear that further research of FXPOI is needed to identify other factors that affect the risk for FXPOI