Characteristics Contributing to Nebraska Farm and Ranch Financial Stress

Significant financial changes have been underway in the U.S. agricultural system. After a decade of increases in crop and livestock prices mirrored by corresponding increases in expenses, prices began declining dramatically in 2014 (USDA-NASS, 2017). Figure 1 shows yearly net farm income for Nebraska crop and livestock producers from 2000 to 2015 (USDA, ERS). A survey in July 2016 indicated that 52 percent of Nebraska farmers and ranchers were financially stressed

Characteristics Contributing to Nebraska Farm and Ranch Financial Stress

Significant financial changes have been underway in the U.S. agricultural system. After a decade of increases in crop and livestock prices mirrored by corresponding increases in expenses, prices began declining dramatically in 2014 (USDA-NASS, 2017). Figure 1 shows yearly net farm income for Nebraska crop and livestock producers from 2000 to 2015 (USDA, ERS). A survey in July 2016 indicated that 52 percent of Nebraska farmers and ranchers were financially stressed

Echinacea biotechnology: advances, commercialization and future considerations

CONTEXT: Plants of the genus Echinacea (Asteraceae) are among the most popular herbal supplements on the market today. Recent studies indicate there are potential new applications and emerging markets for this natural health product (NHP).OBJECTIVE: This review aims to synthesize recent developments in Echinacea biotechnology and to identify promising applications for these advances in the industry.METHODS: A comprehensive survey of peer-reviewed publications was carried out, focusing on Echinacea biotechnology and impacts on phytochemistry. This article primarily covers research findings since 2007 and builds on earlier reviews on the biotechnology of Echinacea.RESULTS: Bioreactors, genetic engineering and controlled biotic or abiotic elicitation have the potential to significantly improve the yield, consistency and overall quality of Echinacea products. Using these technologies, a variety of new applications for Echinacea can be realized, such as the use of seed oil and antimicrobial and immune boosting feed additives for livestock.CONCLUSIONS: New applications can take advantage of the well-established popularity of Echinacea as a NHP. Echinacea presents a myriad of potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic and antibiotic activities that have yet to be fully translated into new applications. The distinct chemistry and bioactivity of different Echinacea species and organs, moreover, can lead to interesting and diverse commercial opportunities

Differential IgM expression distinguishes two types of pediatric Burkitt lymphoma in mouse and human

Endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) is primarily a childhood cancer in parts of Africa and Brazil. Classic studies describe eBL as a homogeneous entity based on t(8;14) IgH-Myc translocation and clinical response to cytotoxic therapy. By contrast, sporadic BL (sBL) in Western countries is considered more heterogeneous, and affects both children and adults. It is overrepresented in AIDS patients. Unlike diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), molecular subtypes within BL have not been well defined. We find that differential IgM positivity can be used to describe two subtypes of pediatric Burkitt lymphoma both in a high incidence region (Brazil), as well as in a sporadic region (US), suggesting the phenotype is not necessarily geographically isolated. Moreover, we find that IgM positivity also distinguishes between early and late onset BL in the standard Eμ-Myc mouse model of BL. This suggests that the t(8;14) translocation not only can take place before, but also after isotype switch recombination, and that IgM-negative, t(8;14) positive lymphomas in children should nevertheless be considered BL

The effect of western juniper on the estrous cycle in beef cattle

Numerous evergreen trees and shrubs contain labdane acids, including isocupressic acid, which can cause late-term abortions in cattle. Recent research has shown that the bark from western juniper trees can also cause late-term abortions in cattle. Additionally, ranchers have observed that cattle in western juniper-infested rangelands tend to have decreased conception rates. The objective of this study was to determine if western juniper alters the estrous cycle of cattle. Fourteen heifers (10 treated and 4 control) were monitored for 74 days for signs of normal estrous behavior, with a 21 day feeding trial with western juniper bark from days 28-48, after which the cattle were bred naturally with a bull. The cattle were checked for pregnancy 30 days after all cattle had been bred. The data from this study indicate that exposure to western juniper bark does not affect normal estrus, estrous cycle or conception rates of cattle.Keywords: Cattle, Isocupressic acid, Estrus, Abortion, Western juniper, Estrous cycl

Managing small-acreage horse farms in central and eastern Oregon

Some good goals for a well-managed, small-acreage horse farm are: • A productive pasture with plenty of grass and few weeds • Less dust during the dry season and less mud during the wet season • Healthy horses free of problems associated with dust, manure, mud, and toxic plants • Manure managed as an important resource on the farm or recycled off the farm • Good stewardship of your property and the water that flows through, across, and below it • Satisfied owners who are able to conveniently care for their animals without dreading the chorePublished November 2007. Reviewed December 2013. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Conformational snapshots of Tec kinases during signaling

The control of cellular signaling cascades is of utmost importance in regulating the immune response. Exquisitely precise protein-protein interactions and chemical modification of substrates by enzymatic catalysis are the fundamental components of the signals that alert immune cells to the presence of a foreign antigen. In particular, the phosphorylation events induced by protein kinase activity must be spatially and temporally regulated by specific interactions to maintain a normal and effective immune response. High resolution structures of many protein kinases along with supporting biochemical data are providing significant insight into the intricate regulatory mechanisms responsible for controlling cellular signaling. The Tec family kinases are immunologically important kinases for which regulatory details are beginning to emerge. This review focuses on bringing together structural insights gained over the years to develop an understanding of how domain interactions both within the Tec kinases and between the Tec kinases and other signaling molecules control immune cell function