Maternal Performance of First-Calf Crossbred Beef Cowns in Relation to Sire Expected Progeny Differency (EPDs)

Cumulative milk production of crossbred daughters of sires of several breeds was estimated using weigh-suckle-weigh procedures. Pooled-across-breed analyses were conducted to determine, in retrospect, relationships of sire expected progeny difference (EPD) values for milk and total maternal value to daughter milk yield and daughter\u27s offspring weaning weight. The pooled coefficient for regression of daughter 214-day milk yield sire milk EPD was 13.4 Ib/lb (residual correlation was .14). The overall mean estimated milk yield was 2,782 Ib, suggesting that a difference in sire milk EPD of 1 Ib corresponded to a difference of approximately 5% in cumulative daughter milk yield. The pooled coefficient for regression of daughter\u27s offspring 214-day weight on sire total maternal EPD was 1.1 8 Ib/lb (residual correlation was .17). Breeders who use sire milk and total maternal EPD values as selection tools should expect such selection to be effective, on average, but should also expect that a substantial proportion of individuals or small groups may not rank as predicted

Relationship of Beef Sire Birth Weight and Weaning Weight Expected Progeny Differences to Actual Performance of Crossbred Offspring

Performance records from 1982 to 1992 on 1365 calves for birth weight (BW) and 1492 calves for weaning weight (WW) were analyzed to estimate relationships of purebred sire expected progeny difference (EPD) values for BW and WW to actual crossbred progeny performance. Sires of the calves were Polled Hereford, Simmental, Angus, Salers, Tarentaise, or Charolais. The pooled-across-breed regressions (Ib/lb + SE) of BW and WW of calves on sire EPD were 1 .I 7 ±.31 and .75 + .28, respectively. Residual correlations of BW with BW EPD and WW with WW EPD were .I6 (P\u3c -01) and .05 (P= .10), respectively. Additional regression and residual correlation analyses were conducted in which records from progeny of low-accuracy sires (Acc. \u3c .50) were deleted. The reduced data set included 967 records for BW and 962 records for WW. The pooled-across-breed regressions (Ib/lb + SE) of BW and WW of calves on higher-accuracy sire EPD were 1.28 + .35 and .71 ± .31, respectively. Residual correlations using higher-accuracy sire data of BW with BW EPD and WW with WW EPD were .I8 (P\u3c.01) and .09 (P = .02). Breeders who use BW and WW EPDs as a selection tool should expect such selection to be effective, on average, and reasonably consistent with theoretical expectation. However, some sires and small progeny groups may not rank as expected based on sire EPDs

Potential Inhibitory Influence of miRNA 210 on Regulatory T Cells during Epicutaneous Chemical Sensitization

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a potent low molecular weight chemical sensitizer and a leading cause of chemical-induced occupational asthma. The regulatory potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been recognized in a variety of disease states, including allergic disease; however, the roles of miRNAs in chemical sensitization are largely unknown. In a previous work, increased expression of multiple miRNAs during TDI sensitization was observed and several putative mRNA targets identified for these miRNAs were directly related to regulatory T-cell (Treg) differentiation and function including Foxp3 and Runx3. In this work, we show that miR-210 expression is increased in the mouse draining lymph node (dLN) and Treg subsets following dermal TDI sensitization. Alterations in dLN mRNA and protein expression of Treg related genes/putative miR-210 targets (foxp3, runx3, ctla4, and cd25) were observed at multiple time points following TDI exposure and in ex vivo systems. A Treg suppression assay, including a miR-210 mimic, was utilized to investigate the suppressive ability of Tregs. Cells derived from TDI sensitized mice treated with miR-210 mimic had less expression of miR-210 compared to the acetone control suggesting other factors, such as additional miRNAs, might be involved in the regulation of the functional capabilities of these cells. These novel findings indicate that miR-210 may have an inhibitory role in Treg function during TDI sensitization. Because the functional roles of miRNAs have not been previously elucidated in a model of chemical sensitization, these data contribute to the understanding of the potential immunologic mechanisms of chemical induced allergic disease

A comparison of computational and experimental lift-off heights of coflow laminar diffusion flames

As a sensitive marker of changes in flame structure, the number densities of excited-state CH (denoted CH*), and excited-state OH (denoted OH*) are imaged in coflow laminar diffusion flames. Measurements are made both in normal gravity and on the NASA KC-135 reduced-gravity aircraft. The spatial distribution of these radicals provides information about flame structure and lift-off heights that can be directly compared with computational predictions. Measurements and computations are compared over a range of buoyancy and fuel dilution levels. Results indicate that the lift-off heights and flame shapes predicted by the computations are in excellent agreement with measurement for both normal gravity (1g) and reduced gravity flames at low dilution levels. As the fuel mixture is increasingly diluted, however, the 1g lift-off heights become underpredicted. This trend continues until the computations predict stable flames at highly dilute fuel mixtures beyond the 1g experimental blow-off limit. To better understand this behavior, an analysis was performed, which indicates that the lift-off height is sensitive to the laminar flame speed of the corresponding premixed mixture at the flame edge. By varying the rates of two key "flame speed" controlling reactions, we were able to modify the predicted lift-off heights so as to be in closer agreement with the experiments. The results indicate that reaction sets that work well in low dilution systems may need to be modified to accommodate high dilution flames

Topical application of the anti-microbial chemical triclosan induces immunomodulatory responses through the S100A8/A9-TLR4 pathway

The anti-microbial compound triclosan is incorporated into numerous consumer products and is detectable in the urine of 75% of the general United States population. Recent epidemiological studies report positive associations with urinary triclosan levels and allergic disease. Although not sensitizing, earlier studies previously found that repeated topical application of triclosan augments the allergic response to ovalbumin (OVA) though a thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) pathway in mice. In the present study, early immunological effects following triclosan exposure were further evaluated following topical application in a murine model. These investigations revealed abundant expression of S100A8/A9, which reportedly acts as an endogenous ligand for Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4), in skin tissues and in infiltrating leukocytes during topical application of 0.75–3.0% triclosan. Expression of Tlr4 along with Tlr1, Tlr2 and Tlr6 increased in skin tissues over time with triclosan exposure; high levels of TLR4 were expressed on skin-infiltrating leukocytes. In vivo antibody blockade of the TLR4/MD-2 receptor complex impaired local inflammatory responses after four days, as evidenced by decreased Il6, Tnfα, S100a8, S100a9, Tlr1, Tlr2, Tlr4 and Tlr6 expression in the skin and decreased lymph node cellularity and production of IL-4 and IL-13 by lymph node T-cells. After nine days of triclosan exposure with TLR4/MD-2 blockade, impaired T-helper cell type 2 (TH2) cytokine responses were sustained, but other early effects on skin and lymph node cellularity were lost; this suggested alternative ligands/receptors compensated for the loss of TLR4 signaling. Taken together, these data suggest the S100A8/A9-TLR4 pathway plays an early role in augmenting immunomodulatory responses with triclosan exposure and support a role for the innate immune system in chemical adjuvancy

Structure-directing factors when introducing hydrogen bond functionality to metal?organic frameworks

The introduction of H-bond donor/acceptor functionality into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can have a beneficial effect on their molecular recognition, uptake selectivity and catalytic properties. The changes in ligand geometry induced by incorporation of functional groups may also affect the topology and composition of the resultant MOFs. Herein, we present a comprehensive study of functional group incorporation into MOFs, linked by either Zn2+ paddlewheel units or monomeric Zn2+ corners, which exhibit pcu and dia topology, respectively. Crystallographic analysis shows that amide groups can be easily incorporated into isoreticular pcu pillared-MOFs, whilst integration of urea units results in materials with dia topology. Molecular simulations allow the examination of hypothetical structures with differing constitutions and topologies, and highlight the influence of the urea units in generating the experimentally observed topologies. Noncovalent interactions between independent nets may be significant structure-directing influences, a finding which has great implications for the design of MOFs containing more complex functional groupsFil: Forgan, Ross S.. University Of Glasgow; Reino UnidoFil: Marshall, Ross J.. University Of Glasgow; Reino UnidoFil: Struckmann, Mona. University Of Glasgow; Reino UnidoFil: Bleine, Aurore B.. University Of Glasgow; Reino UnidoFil: Long, De Liang. University Of Glasgow; Reino UnidoFil: Bernini, Maria Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Fairen Jimenez, D.. University of Cambridge; Reino Unid

Spitzer observations of the N157B supernova remnant and its surroundings

(Aims): We study the LMC interstellar medium in the field of the nebula N157B, which contains a supernova remnant, an OB association, ionized gas, and high-density dusty filaments in close proximity. We investigate the relative importance of shock excitation by the SNR and photo-ionization by the OB stars, as well as possible interactions between the supernova remnant and its environment. (Methods): We apply multiwavelength mapping and photometry, along with spatially resolved infrared spectroscopy, to identifying the nature of the ISM using new infrared data from the Spitzer space observatory and X-ray, optical, and radio data from the literature. (Results): The N157B SNR has no infrared counterpart. Infrared emission from the region is dominated by the compact blister-type HII region associated with 2MASS J05375027-6911071 and excited by an O8-O9 star. This object is part of an extended infrared emission region that is associated with a molecular cloud. We find only weak emission from the shock-indicator [FeII], and both the excitation and the heating of the extended cloud are dominated by photo-ionization by the early O stars of LH99. (Conclusions): Any possible impact by the expanding SNR does not now affect the extended cloud of molecules and dust, despite the apparent overlap of SNR X-ray emission with infrared and Ha emission from the cloud. This implies that the supernova progenitor cannot have been more massive than about 25 solar masses.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, published in A&

Care coordination among pediatricians and dentists: a cross-sectional study of opinions of North Carolina dentists

Abstract: Background: Care coordination between physicians and dentists remains a challenge. This study of dentists providing pediatric dental care examined their opinions about physicians’ role in oral health and identified factors associated with these opinions. Methods: North Carolina general and pediatric dentists were surveyed on their opinions of how physicians should proceed after caries risk assessment and evaluation of an 18-month-old, low risk child. We estimated two multinomial logistic regression models to examine dentists’ responses to the scenario under the circumstances of an adequate and a limited dental workforce. Results: Among 376 dentists, 52% of dentists indicated physicians should immediately refer this child to a dental home with an adequate dental workforce. With a limited workforce, 34% recommended immediate referral. Regression analysis indicated that with an adequate workforce guideline awareness was associated with a significantly lower relative risk of dentists’ recommending the child remain in the medical home than immediate referral. Conclusions: Dentists’ opinions and professional guidelines on how physicians should promote early childhood oral health differ and warrant strategies to address such inconsistencies. Without consistent guidelines and their application, there is a missed opportunity to influence provider opinions to improve access to dental care

Effects of MGA on Prepubertal Crossbred Beef Heifers

A study was conducted using 55 prepubertal replacement crossbred beef heifers to determine the effect of feeding MGA to prepubertal heifers on age at puberty. No difference (P= .65) was detected between MGA treated heifers versus control heifers for age at puberty. There was no difference (P= .80) in age at conception to A1 for the two groups