Evaluation of the effects of wood-sourced biochar as a feedlot pen surface amendment on manure nutrient capture

Feedstuffs utilized in U.S. feedlot finishing rations incorporate high concentrations of N and P, with less than 15% of fed N and P retained by the animal. The remaining N and P are excreted in the manure, where the opportunity for manure N loss via ammonia (NH3) volatilization from the feedlot pen surface is a risk to the environment and lowers the value of manure as a fertilizer. Two nutrient mass balance experiments were conducted during the winter and summer seasons to evaluate the effects of spreading unprocessed Eastern red cedar biochar onto the feedlot pen surface on manure nutrient capture and cattle performance. A 186-d feedlot fnishing experiment was conducted from December to June (WINTER) and a subsequent 153-d fnishing experiment was conducted from June to November (SUMMER). The WINTER experiment evaluated three treatments (5 pens per treatment; 10 steers per pen), including biochar spread on pen surface during the feeding period (1.40 kg biochar/ m2 ; 17.6 m2 /steer soil surface of the pen), hydrated lime spread on pen surface at end of feeding period (1.75 kg/m2 ) and control (no treatment applied). The SUMMER experiment evaluated biochar treatment (1.40 kg biochar/m2 ; 5 pens per treatment; 8 steers per pen; and 22 m2 /steer soil surface of the pen) against control. There were no differences in N and P intake, retention, or excretion (P ≥ 0.38) between WINTER treatments. Steer performance (P ≥ 0.10) and carcass characteristics (P ≥ 0.50) were not impacted by pen treatment in WINTER. Nitrogen and P intake and excretion (P ≥ 0.35) were not different between treatments in SUMMER and retention of N and P was signifcantly greater for the biochar treatment (P ≤0.04) due to greater ADG (P = 0.05). There was no difference in DMI (P = 0.48) in SUMMER, steers on biochar pen treatment had heavier HCW (P = 0.05) and greater ADG, resulting in a tendency for greater feed effciency (P = 0.08). In both experiments, biochar addition to the pen surface tended (P = 0.07) to increase manure N as a percent of manure DM, but this increase in N concentration did not impact kg of N removed from the feedlot pens (P ≥ 0.15) or N losses (P ≥ 0.68). The addition of red cedar biochar to the feedlot pen surface did not increase manure nutrient capture of N or P and did not reduce N losses associated with soil-based feedlot pens

Clustered mutations in the <i>GRIK2</i> kainate receptor subunit gene underlie diverse neurodevelopmental disorders

Kainate receptors (KARs) are glutamate-gated cation channels with diverse roles in the central nervous system. Bi-allelic loss of function of the KAR-encoding gene GRIK2 causes a nonsyndromic neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) with intellectual disability and developmental delay as core features. The extent to which mono-allelic variants in GRIK2 also underlie NDDs is less understood because only a single individual has been reported previously. Here, we describe an additional eleven individuals with heterozygous de novo variants in GRIK2 causative for neurodevelopmental deficits that include intellectual disability. Five children harbored recurrent de novo variants (three encoding p.Thr660Lys and two p.Thr660Arg), and four children and one adult were homozygous for a previously reported variant (c.1969G&gt;A [p.Ala657Thr]). Individuals with shared variants had some overlapping behavioral and neurological dysfunction, suggesting that the GRIK2 variants are likely pathogenic. Analogous mutations introduced into recombinant GluK2 KAR subunits at sites within the M3 transmembrane domain (encoding p.Ala657Thr, p.Thr660Lys, and p.Thr660Arg) and the M3-S2 linker domain (encoding p.Ile668Thr) had complex effects on functional properties and membrane localization of homomeric and heteromeric KARs. Both p.Thr660Lys and p.Thr660Arg mutant KARs exhibited markedly slowed gating kinetics, similar to p.Ala657Thr-containing receptors. Moreover, we observed emerging genotype-phenotype correlations, including the presence of severe epilepsy in individuals with the p.Thr660Lys variant and hypomyelination in individuals with either the p.Thr660Lys or p.Thr660Arg variant. Collectively, these results demonstrate that human GRIK2 variants predicted to alter channel function are causative for early childhood development disorders and further emphasize the importance of clarifying the role of KARs in early nervous system development.</p

Clustered mutations in the <i>GRIK2</i> kainate receptor subunit gene underlie diverse neurodevelopmental disorders

Kainate receptors (KARs) are glutamate-gated cation channels with diverse roles in the central nervous system. Bi-allelic loss of function of the KAR-encoding gene GRIK2 causes a nonsyndromic neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) with intellectual disability and developmental delay as core features. The extent to which mono-allelic variants in GRIK2 also underlie NDDs is less understood because only a single individual has been reported previously. Here, we describe an additional eleven individuals with heterozygous de novo variants in GRIK2 causative for neurodevelopmental deficits that include intellectual disability. Five children harbored recurrent de novo variants (three encoding p.Thr660Lys and two p.Thr660Arg), and four children and one adult were homozygous for a previously reported variant (c.1969G>A [p.Ala657Thr]). Individuals with shared variants had some overlapping behavioral and neurological dysfunction, suggesting that the GRIK2 variants are likely pathogenic. Analogous mutations introduced into recombinant GluK2 KAR subunits at sites within the M3 transmembrane domain (encoding p.Ala657Thr, p.Thr660Lys, and p.Thr660Arg) and the M3-S2 linker domain (encoding p.Ile668Thr) had complex effects on functional properties and membrane localization of homomeric and heteromeric KARs. Both p.Thr660Lys and p.Thr660Arg mutant KARs exhibited markedly slowed gating kinetics, similar to p.Ala657Thr-containing receptors. Moreover, we observed emerging genotype-phenotype correlations, including the presence of severe epilepsy in individuals with the p.Thr660Lys variant and hypomyelination in individuals with either the p.Thr660Lys or p.Thr660Arg variant. Collectively, these results demonstrate that human GRIK2 variants predicted to alter channel function are causative for early childhood development disorders and further emphasize the importance of clarifying the role of KARs in early nervous system development

Impact of Wood-Sourced Biochar on Carbon and Nitrogen Capture in Beef Feedlot Systems

A feedlot growing and finishing experiment evaluated the effect of including pine-sourced biochar at 0.8 (growing) and 1.0% (finishing) of dietary DM on steer performance, carcass characteristics, and greenhouse gas (GHG) production (Exp 1). Two nutrient mass balance experiments were conducted during winter and summer seasons to evaluate the effect of spreading unprocessed red cedar biochar on the feedlot pen surface on manure nutrient capture and cattle performance (Exp 2). In Exp. 1, the inclusion of biochar in the growing diet did not impact steer performance. The inclusion of biochar in the finishing diet significantly reduced intake and gain, resulting in a lighter and leaner carcass compared to control. Emissions of CH4 and CO2 were not affected by biochar inclusion in the growing or finishing period. In Exp. 2, the winter phase (December to June) evaluated three treatments (5 pens/treatment, 10 steers/pen): biochar spread to pen surface, hydrated lime spread to pen surface, and negative control. There were no differences in nutrient (N and P) intake, calculated nutrient retention, or excretion. Steer performance and carcass traits were not impacted by pen treatment in winter phase. The summer phase (June to November) evaluated biochar spread to pen surface against negative control (5 pens/treatment, 8 steers/pen). There were no differences in N and P intake or calculated excretion, however, calculated nutrient retention was significantly greater for steers on biochar-amended pens. Increased nutrient retention by the animal resulted in increased gain, improved feed efficiency, and a heavier hot carcass weight for steers on biochar treatment. In both winter and summer phases, biochar addition to the feedlot pen surface increased N concentration in manure but did not result in increased kg of N or P removed from feedlot pens due to a lesser quantity of manure removed from biochar-amended pens. Advisors: Galen E. Erickson & Andrea K. Watso

Evaluation of Biochar on Nutrient Loss from Fresh Cattle Manure

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of biochar and time on manure nutrient retention. Pans were used to simulate feedlot pens with 10 replications per treatment. Biochar was included at 0, 5, or 10% of manure dry matter with 30 and 60 day durations to evaluate pan contents over time. There was a 13- percentage unit increase in organic matter losses from day 30 to 60 for pans without biochar, and a 3- percentage unit increase for pans containing biochar. The least nitrogen loss was measured on the pans without biochar harvested at 30 days. Pans harvested at 60 days all had similar nitrogen loss. Phosphorus losses were not impacted by treatment while potassium losses decreased over time but were not impacted by biochar treatment. In this study biochar included at 5 and 10% of manure dry matter limited carbon losses but did not impact manure nutrient retention of nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium

Impact of Biochar Supplementation in Growing Diets on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of feeding biochar growing diets on cattle performance and methane and carbon dioxide emissions. Two treatments were evaluated, a forage- based control diet without biochar and a diet with biochar included at 0.8% of the diet dry matter, replacing ! ne ground corn in the supplement. Pens of cattle were rotated through a two- sided emissions barn (2 pens evaluated simultaneously) to capture CH4 and CO2 production. ere were no statistical differences in performance or gas emissions for steers fed a biochar supplemented diet compared to control. Numerically, biochar supplemented steers had a 2.9% improvement in feed conversion and 3.4% increase in gas emissions compared to control steers

Coagulation factor XII, XI, and VIII activity levels and secondary events after first ischemic stroke

Background Though risk for recurrent vascular events is high following ischemic stroke, little knowledge about risk factors for secondary events post‐stroke exists. Objectives Coagulation factors XII, XI, and VIII (FXII, FXI, and FVIII) have been implicated in first thrombotic events, and our aim was to estimate their effects on vascular outcomes within 3 years after first stroke. Patients/Methods In the Prospective Cohort with Incident Stroke Berlin (PROSCIS‐B) study, we followed participants aged 18 and older for 3 years after first mild to moderate ischemic stroke event or until occurrence of recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction, or all‐cause mortality. We compared high coagulation factor activity levels to normal and low levels and also analyzed activities as continuous variables. We used Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for the combined endpoint. Results In total, 94 events occurred in 576 included participants, resulting in an absolute rate of 6.6 events per 100 person‐years. After confounding adjustment, high FVIII activity showed the strongest relationship with the combined endpoint (HR = 2.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–3.29). High FXI activity was also associated with a higher hazard (HR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.09–2.98), though high FXII activity was not (HR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.49–1.51). Continuous analyses yielded similar results. Conclusions In our study of mild to moderate ischemic stroke patients, high activity levels of FXI and FVIII but not FXII were associated with worse vascular outcomes in the 3‐year period after first ischemic stroke

Pharmacogenetic testing in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA): policy recommendations from the VHA Clinical Pharmacogenetics Subcommittee

PurposeThe Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Clinical Pharmacogenetics Subcommittee is charged with making recommendations about whether specific pharmacogenetic tests should be used in healthcare at VHA facilities. We describe a process to inform VHA pharmacogenetic testing policy.MethodsAfter developing consensus definitions of clinical validity and utility, the Subcommittee identified salient drug-gene pairs with potential clinical application in VHA. Members met monthly to discuss each drug-gene pair, the evidence of clinical utility for the associated pharmacogenetic test, and any VHA-specific testing considerations. The Subcommittee classified each test as strongly recommended, recommended, or not routinely recommended before drug initiation.ResultsOf 30 drug-gene pair tests reviewed, the Subcommittee classified 4 (13%) as strongly recommended, including HLA-B*15:02 for carbamazepine-associated Stevens-Johnston syndrome and G6PD for rasburicase-associated hemolytic anemia; 12 (40%) as recommended, including CYP2D6 for codeine toxicity; and 14 (47%) as not routinely recommended, such as CYP2C19 for clopidogrel dosing.ConclusionOnly half of drug-gene pairs with high clinical validity received Subcommittee support for policy promoting their widespread use across VHA. The Subcommittee generally found insufficient evidence of clinical utility or available, effective alternative strategies for the remainders. Continual evidence review and rigorous outcomes research will help promote the translation of pharmacogenetic discovery to healthcare