Inference of the genetic basis of fruit texture in highbush blueberries using genome-wide association analyses.

The global production and consumption of blueberry ( spp.), a specialty crop known for its abundant bioactive and antioxidant compounds, has more than doubled over the last decade. To hold this momentum, plant breeders have begun to use quantitative genetics and molecular breeding to guide their decisions and select new cultivars that are improved for fruit quality.

Dissecting the genetic basis of bioactive metabolites and fruit quality traits in blueberries ( L.).

Blueberry is well-recognized as a healthy fruit with functionality derived largely from anthocyanin and chlorogenic acid. Despite their importance, no study to date has evaluated the genetic basis of these bioactives in blueberries and their relationship with fruit quality traits. Hence, to fill this gap, a mapping population including 196 F individuals was phenotyped for anthocyanin and chlorogenic acid concentration and fruit quality traits (titratable acidity, pH, and total soluble solids) over 3 years and data were used for QTL mapping and correlation analysis.

There and back again; historical perspective and future directions for breeding and research studies.

The genus L. (Ericaceae) contains a wide diversity of culturally and economically important berry crop species. Consumer demand and scientific research in blueberry ( spp.

Non- Staphylococci and Bovine Udder Health: Current Understanding and Knowledge Gaps.

Despite considerable efforts to control bovine mastitis and explain its causes, it remains the most costly and common disease of dairy cattle worldwide. The role and impact of non- staphylococci (NAS) in udder health are not entirely understood. These Gram-positive bacteria have become the most frequently isolated group of bacteria in milk samples of dairy cows and are associated with (mild) clinical and subclinical mastitis.

Factors associated with the adoption of technologies by the Canadian dairy industry.

Data generated from Statistics Canada's 2016 Census of Agriculture and Census of Population were used to describe the adoption of 8 technologies by the Canadian dairy industry: computer/laptop, smartphone/tablet, auto-steering, auto-feeding, auto-environment, robotic milking, global positioning systems (GPS), and geographical information systems (GIS). Logistic regression was used to analyze the adoption of each technology by geographical region, operators' gender, operators' age, herd size, and number of operators per farm. Gender and age were marginally related to the level of adoption of each technology, whereas the number of operators per dairy farm and farm size were associated with increased adoption of most technologies.

Ownership structure and financial status of Canadian dairy operations.

The ownership structure and financial status of Canadian dairy farms is described using Statistics Canada 2016 Census of Agriculture data. As herd size increased, family corporation became the most common ownership model after accounting for herd location by region. Regardless of location, gross farm receipts, operating expenses and profit margin increased significantly with herd size.

Update on demographics of the Canadian Dairy Industry for the period 2011 to 2016.

Between 2011 and 2016, the number of dairy operations in Canada decreased by 13.3%. Mean herd size increased from 65 to 73 animals per farm.

Survey of gastrointestinal nematodes in breeding-age heifers on 6 Saskatchewan dairy farms.

To determine the prevalence, mean fecal egg count intensities, and predominant gastrointestinal nematode species, fresh environmental fecal samples were collected from 30 grazing heifers at monthly intervals (June, July, and August) on 6 Saskatchewan dairy farms in 2016. The population average strongylid prevalence ranged from 67.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 49.

Prevalence, fecal egg counts, and species identification of gastrointestinal nematodes in replacement dairy heifers in Canada.

Information is scarce regarding the epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes in Canadian dairy heifers. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and fecal egg counts of gastrointestinal nematodes in dairy heifers, and using a novel deep-amplicon sequencing approach, to identify the predominant gastrointestinal nematode species in Canadian dairy replacement heifers. Fresh environmental fecal samples (n = 2,369) were collected from replacement heifers on 306 dairy farms across western Canada, Ontario, Québec, and Atlantic Canada.

Endoparasite control practices on Saskatchewan dairy farms.

A questionnaire was administered to dairy producers in Saskatchewan in 2016 to determine basic pasture management practices, how producers use parasite control products, and attitudes towards the threat of endoparasites. All 161 dairy producers in Saskatchewan were invited to participate and the survey response rate was 39.8% (64/161).

Comprehensive Virulence Gene Profiling of Bovine Non- Staphylococci Based on Whole-Genome Sequencing Data.

Non- staphylococci (NAS) are the most frequently isolated pathogens from intramammary infection (IMI) in dairy cattle. Virulence factors (VFs) and mechanisms by which NAS cause IMI are not fully known. Herein, we analyzed the distribution of 191 VFs in 441 genomes of 25 NAS species, after classifying VFs into functional categories: adherence ( = 28), exoenzymes ( = 21), immune evasion ( = 20), iron metabolism ( = 29), and toxins ( = 93).

Associations between digital dermatitis lesion grades in dairy cattle and the quantities of four Treponema species.

Digital dermatitis (DD) presents as painful, ulcerative or proliferative lesions that lead to bovine lameness affecting economic efficiency and animal welfare. Although DD etiological agent(s) have not been established, it is widely accepted that DD is a polymicrobial disease significantly associated with species of Treponema and the non-linear disease progression may be attributed to interactions among infecting bacteria. We postulated the morphological changes associated with DD lesion grades are related to interactions among infecting species of Treponema.

Carotenoid Presence Is Associated with the Gene in Domesticated Carrot.

Carrots are among the richest sources of provitamin A carotenes in the human diet, but genetic variation in the carotenoid pathway does not fully explain the high levels of carotenoids in carrot roots. Using a diverse collection of modern and historic domesticated varieties, and wild carrot accessions, an association analysis for orange pigmentation revealed a significant genomic region that contains the gene, advancing it as a candidate for carotenoid presence in carrot. Analysis of sequence variation at the locus revealed a nonsynonymous mutation cosegregating with carotenoid content.

Feedlot performance and immune function analysis of implanted and non-implanted steers selected for alcohol dehydrogenase 1 C (ADH1C) genotype and fed a low vitamin A diet.

Previous studies have shown that the interaction between limiting vitamin A (VA) and an alcohol dehydrogenase 1 C (ADH1C) variant in beef cattle results in increased intramuscular fat in the longissimus thoracis muscle in one genotype when fed low dietary VA. Although quality grade is important for increased profitability and improving taste characteristics of beef products, limiting VA too drastically can impair animal welfare. The objectives of this study were to determine if this marker-assisted management strategy would be effective, and whether any impairment in immune function would occur in a feedlot setting.

Prevalence and Genetic Basis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Non- Staphylococci Isolated from Canadian Dairy Herds.

Emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance is a major concern for the dairy industry worldwide. Objectives were to determine: (1) phenotypic and genotypic prevalence of drug-specific resistance for 25 species of non-aureus staphylococci, and (2) associations between presence of resistance determinants and antimicrobial resistance. Broth micro-dilution was used to determine resistance profiles for 1,702 isolates from 89 dairy herds.

Enrichment and Recovery of Mammalian Cells from Contaminated Cultures Using Aqueous Two-Phase Systems.

This Article describes a density-based method for removing contaminants, including microorganisms and nonviable cells, from mammalian cell cultures using an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). The properties of a 7% w/w polyethylene glycol (PEG)-11% w/w Ficoll ATPS can be tuned to prepare a biocompatible system that removes contaminants with little to no adverse effects on the viability or growth of the cultured cells after treatment. This system can be used to enrich cell culture populations for viable cells and to reduce the number of microorganism contaminants in a culture, which increases the chances of subsequent antibiotic treatments being successful.

Density separation of quiescent yeast using iodixanol.

As yeast are starved of nutrients, they enter G0, a quiescent state. Quiescent yeast (Q) cells retain viability for extended periods of time and resume growth following supplementation of missing nutrients. As such, Q cells have become a valuable model for studying longevity and self-renewal of chronologically aged cells.

Efficacy of recombinant bovine epidermal growth factor in the treatment of experimental subclinical mastitis in a ewe model.

is the most common contagious mastitis pathogen of dairy cattle. Antimicrobial treatment of infected cattle results in variable cure rates. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in the modulation of host innate immune responses and the regulation of mammary epithelial regeneration, indicating that EGF may be useful as a treatment for mastitis.

Comprehensive Phylogenetic Analysis of Bovine Non- Staphylococci Species Based on Whole-Genome Sequencing.

Non- staphylococci (NAS), a heterogeneous group of a large number of species and subspecies, are the most frequently isolated pathogens from intramammary infections in dairy cattle. Phylogenetic relationships among bovine NAS species are controversial and have mostly been determined based on single-gene trees. Herein, we analyzed phylogeny of bovine NAS species using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 441 distinct isolates.

Assessment and Accessibility of Phenotypic and Genotypic Diversity of Carrot (Daucus carota L. var. sativus) Cultivars Commercially Available in the United States.

Increased use of intellectual property rights over plant germplasm has led to a complicated landscape for exchange among plant breeders. Our goal was to examine phenotypic and genotypic diversity present in commercially available carrot (Daucus carota L. var.

Freeing Crop Genetics through the Open Source Seed Initiative.

For millennia, seeds have been freely available to use for farming and plant breeding without restriction. Within the past century, however, intellectual property rights (IPRs) have threatened this tradition. In response, a movement has emerged to counter the trend toward increasing consolidation of control and ownership of plant germplasm.

Quality of Adhesions After Sutured Paramedian vs. Laparoscopic Toggle Abomasopexy in an Ovine Model.

Objective: To evaluate adhesions created by abomasopexies using either chromic gut or polydioxanone suture through a right paramedian approach and determine whether a laparoscopic toggle technique is an acceptable alternative to open abomasopexy using an ovine model.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Animals: Mature ewes (n=30).

Invited review: Changes in the dairy industry affecting dairy cattle health and welfare.

The dairy industry in the developed world has undergone profound changes over recent decades. In this paper, we present an overview of some of the most important recent changes in the dairy industry that affect health and welfare of dairy cows, as well as the science associated with these changes. Additionally, knowledge gaps are identified where research is needed to guide the dairy industry through changes that are occurring now or that we expect will occur in the future.

Genetic and phenological variation of tocochromanol (vitamin E) content in wild (Daucus carota L. var. carota) and domesticated carrot (D. carota L. var. sativa).

Carrot roots (Daucus carota L. var. sativa) produce tocochromanol compounds, collectively known as vitamin E.