Comparison of Machine Learning Tree-Based Algorithms to Predict Future Paratuberculosis ELISA Results Using Repeat Milk Tests.

Machine learning algorithms have been applied to various animal husbandry and veterinary-related problems; however, its use in Johne's disease diagnosis and control is still in its infancy. The following proof-of-concept study explores the application of tree-based (decision trees and random forest) algorithms to analyze repeat milk testing data from 1197 Canadian dairy cows and the algorithms' ability to predict future Johne's test results. The random forest models using milk component testing results alongside past Johne's results demonstrated a good predictive performance for a future Johne's ELISA result with a dichotomous outcome (positive vs.

Analysis of medaka GAP43 gene promoter activity in transgenic lines.

We produced transgenic medaka fish lines that mimicked the expression of the GAP43 gene. Fish lines with the proximal 2-kilobase (kb) 5'-untranslated region (UTR) as the expression promoter specifically expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in neural tissues, such as the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, and its expression decreased with growth, but persisted until adulthood. A functional analysis of the promoter using partially deleted UTRs revealed that functions related to neural tissue-specific promoter activity were widely distributed in the region upstream of the proximal 400-b.

Investigating Ontario dairy farmers motivations and barriers to the adoption of biosecurity and Johne's control practices.

For the control of Johne's disease (JD), management practices to minimize disease transmission must be implemented and maintained. Once infected, animals will enter a latent phase and will typically only manifest clinical symptoms years later. As young calves are the main susceptible group on farm, the observed effects of management practices geared toward minimizing their exposure to infective material may not be realized until years later.

Management practices associated with Johne's bulk tank milk ELISA positivity.

Johne's disease (JD) control is often based on the culling of positive animals and the adoption of management practices that minimize exposure of young stock to the pathogen (Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis). Throughout 2010 to 2013, the province of Ontario, Canada, instituted a voluntary Johne's control program consisting of whole-herd testing and risk assessment.

Descriptive analysis of the changes in Johne's disease management practices on Ontario dairy farms through repeat risk assessment.

Johne's disease (JD) control is often based on the culling of positive animals and the adoption of management practices that minimize exposure of calves to the pathogen Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP). From 2010 to 2013, Ontario, Canada, instituted a voluntary Johne's control program consisting of whole-herd testing and a Risk Assessment and Management Plan (RAMP).

SUN1 splice variants, SUN1_888, SUN1_785, and predominant SUN1_916, variably function in directional cell migration.

The LINC complex is a multifunctional protein complex that is involved in various processes at the nuclear envelope, such as nuclear migration, mechanotransduction and chromatin tethering in the meiotic phase. However, it remains unknown how these functions are regulated in different cell contexts. An inner nuclear membrane component of the LINC complex, SUN1, is ubiquitously expressed.

Variability in Risk Assessment and Management Plan (RAMP) scores completed as part of the Ontario Johne's Education and Management Assistance Program(2010-2013).

As a proactive measure toward controlling the nontreatable and contagious Johne's disease in cattle, the Ontario dairy industry launched the voluntary Ontario Johne's Education and Management Assistance Program in 2010. The objective of this study was to describe the results of the first 4 yr of the program and to investigate the variability in Risk Assessment and Management Plan (RAMP) scores associated with the county, veterinary clinic, and veterinarian. Of 4,158 Ontario dairy farms, 2,153 (51.

Simulation of pseudopolyrotaxane formation and orientational order between pseudopolyrotaxanes.

We have performed Brownian dynamics simulations in order to investigate the formation of a pseudopolyrotaxane (PPRX) with cyclodextrins (CDs) and a polymer chain and the development of orientational order between PPRXs. The coarse-grained model is used to model the CDs and the polymer chain. In our simulations, we observe the formation of a rodlike PPRX with up to six rings for 40 monomer chains.

Visualization analysis of inter-fragment interaction energies of CRP-cAMP-DNA complex based on the fragment molecular orbital method.

A visualization method for inter-fragment interaction energies (IFIEs) of biopolymers is presented on the basis of the fragment molecular orbital (FMO) method. The IFIEs appropriately illustrate the information about the interaction energies between the fragments consisting of amino acids, nucleotides and other molecules. The IFIEs are usually analyzed in a matrix form called an IFIE matrix.

A novel ABC transporter gene, PMR5, is involved in multidrug resistance in the phytopathogenic fungus Penicillium digitatum.

We have cloned a novel ABC transporter gene PMR5 from the phytopathogenic fungus Penicillium digitatum by RT-PCR using degenerate primers. The deduced amino acid sequence of PMR5 showed 37% identity to PMR1 from the same fungus, 71% identity to AtrB from Aspergillus nidulans, and 65% identity to BcatrB from Botrytis cinerea. Disruption mutants for PMR5 were generated in two independent P.

Summation of overshadowing and latent inhibition in rats' conditioned taste aversion: scapegoat technique works for familiar meals.

In rats' taste aversion learning, presentation of another taste with a target taste alleviates aversion for the target taste (overshadowing), and exposure of a target taste prior to its conditioning alleviates aversion for that taste (latent inhibition). The present study demonstrated summation of these effects, resulting in the least aversion in the rats that had received both overshadowing and latent inhibition treatments. The finding that overshadowing and latent inhibition summate is contrary to the prediction by the comparator hypothesis that they counteract, as recently reported in conditioned suppression of licking in thirsty rats.

Case report: fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma in a Japanese woman: a case report and review of Japanese cases.

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLHCC) is an entity distinct from ordinary hepatocellular carcinoma and is very rare in Oriental countries. We present here a Japanese case of FLHCC in a 25 year old woman, and review Japanese cases of FLHCC. The patient had mild abdominal pain when the hepatic tumour was revealed by ultrasonography.

Case report: multiple cancers: hepatocellular carcinoma and adenocarcinomas of the common bile duct and the gall-bladder in a woman with primary biliary cirrhosis.

We present a case of primary biliary cirrhosis associated with simultaneous triple cancers: a hepatocellular carcinoma and adenocarcinomas of the common bile duct and gall-bladder. A 70 year old Japanese woman, who had been diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis (stage 2 by Scheuer) 15 years before, was admitted to Koseiren Kamo Hospital in a comatose state. Laboratory data were as follows: the ammonia level was high (164.

Primary malignant lymphoma of the liver associated with cirrhosis induced by hepatitis C viral infection.

We present a case of primary malignant lymphoma of the liver of B cell origin with cirrhosis induced by hepatitis C viral infection. A 75-year-old Japanese woman with chronic liver dysfunction was admitted for hepatic tumors. The tumors were hypoechoic on ultrasonography and hypodense on computed tomography.

Effects of NC-1300 and its degradation products on gastric secretion and HCl.ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats.

The proton pump inhibitor NC-1300 has antisecretory and cytoprotective activities in rats. The compound is labile at an acidic pH and degrades into various products. We attempted to identify these products after treatment at different pHs in vitro using HPLC.