Single nucleotide polymorphisms at the imprinted bovine insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) locus are associated with dairy performance in Irish Holstein-Friesian cattle.

The imprinted insulin-like growth factor 2 gene (IGF2) encodes a fetal mitogenic hormone protein (IGF-II) and has previously been shown to be associated with performance in dairy cattle. In this study we assessed genotype-phenotype associations between four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within the bovine IGF2 locus on chromosome 29 and a range of performance traits related to milk production, animal growth and body size, fertility and progeny survival in 848 progeny-tested Irish Holstein-Friesian sires. Two of the four SNPs (rs42196909 and IGF2.

Plerixafor mobilization leads to a lower ratio of CD34+ cells to total nucleated cells which results in greater storage costs.

Background: Plerixafor (Mozobil, AMD3100) with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilizes more CD34+ cells/kg compared to G-CSF alone. Given that plerixafor enhances mobilization of multiple white blood cell lineages, we determined if more storage space is required for products collected from patients mobilized with plerixafor.

Methods: A review of the medical records of 15 patients mobilized with chemotherapy and G-CSF (control) and 14 patients mobilized with plerixafor plus G-CSF (plerixafor) was performed.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms within the bovine DLK1-DIO3 imprinted domain are associated with economically important production traits in cattle.

Previous studies show that DNA sequence variation within the mammalian DLK1-DIO3 imprinted domain influences production traits in domestic livestock, most notably the ovine callipyge phenotype. We assessed genotype-phenotype associations between 7 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the orthologous bovine DLK1-DIO3 domain and performance traits in 848 progeny-tested Holstein-Friesian dairy sires. One SNP (MEG3_01) located proximal to the maternally expressed 3 (MEG3/Gtl2) gene was associated with milk yield, subcutaneous fat levels, and progeny carcass conformation (P ≤ 0.

Risk factors associated with Salmonella status of broiler flocks delivered to grow-out farms.

In a prospective field observational study in the southeastern USA, we sampled gastrointestinal (GI) tracts from chicks of 65 broiler flocks delivered to conventional grow-out farms for rearing. The flocks were hatched at seven broiler hatcheries. The mean within-flock prevalence of Salmonella-positive samples was 6.

Reduced endurance of the cervical flexor muscles in patients with concurrent temporomandibular disorders and neck disability.

Subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) have been found to have clinical signs and symptoms of cervical dysfunction. Although many studies have investigated the relationship between the cervical spine and TMD, no study has evaluated the endurance capacity of the cervical muscles in patients with TMD. Thus the objective of this study was to determine whether patients with TMD had a reduced endurance of the cervical flexor muscles at any level of muscular contraction when compared with healthy subjects.

Is maximal strength of the cervical flexor muscles reduced in patients with temporomandibular disorders?

Objective: To determine whether there was a difference in maximal cervical flexor muscle strength in subjects with temporomandibular disorders (mixed and myogenous) compared with healthy subjects.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Orthopedics/sports laboratory at the University of Alberta.

Combining variational and model-based techniques to register PET and MR images in hand osteoarthritis.

Co-registration of clinical images acquired using different imaging modalities and equipment is finding increasing use in patient studies. Here we present a method for registering high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET) data of the hand acquired using high-density avalanche chambers with magnetic resonance (MR) images of the finger obtained using a 'microscopy coil'. This allows the identification of the anatomical location of the PET radiotracer and thereby locates areas of active bone metabolism/'turnover'.

Effectiveness of interferential current therapy in the management of musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Interferential current (IFC) is a common electrotherapeutic modality used to treat pain. Although IFC is widely used, the available information regarding its clinical efficacy is debatable.

Purpose: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the available information regarding the efficacy of IFC in the management of musculoskeletal pain.

Lighting during grow-out and Salmonella in broiler flocks.

Background: Lighting is used during conventional broiler grow-out to modify bird behaviour to reach the goals of production and improve bird welfare. The protocols for lighting intensity vary. In a field study, we evaluated if the lighting practices impact the burden of Salmonella in broiler flocks.

Technical note: High fidelity of whole-genome amplified sheep (Ovis aries) deoxyribonucleic acid using a high-density single nucleotide polymorphism array-based genotyping platform.

Advances in high-throughput genotyping technologies have afforded researchers the opportunity to study ever-increasing numbers of SNP in animal genomes. However, many studies encounter difficulties in obtaining sufficient quantities of high-quality DNA for such analyses, particularly when the source biological material is limited or degraded. The recent development of in vitro whole-genome amplification approaches has permitted researchers to circumvent these challenges by increasing the amount of usable DNA in normally small-quantity samples.

Sex pheromone chemistry and field trapping studies of the elm spanworm Ennomos subsignaria (Hübner) (Lepidoptera:Geometridae).

The elm spanworm, Ennomos subsignaria (Hübner), occurs throughout Canada and the eastern United States and can be a destructive forest pest on a wide range of deciduous trees. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC/EAD) analysis of pheromone gland extracts, in combination with chemical synthesis and field trapping studies have identified (2S, 3R)-2-((Z)-oct-2'-enyl)-3-nonyl oxirane (hereafter Z6-9S, 10R-epoxy-19:H) as the female-produced sex pheromone. Significantly more male moths were captured between 1-100 microg loadings of this compound on red rubber septa in sticky traps compared to blank (unbaited) traps; catches then declined at higher dosages (500-1000 microg).

Associations between newly discovered polymorphisms in the Bos taurus growth hormone receptor gene and performance traits in Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle.

Variations in the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene sequence are associated with performance traits in cattle. For example, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) F279Y in transmembrane exon 8 has a strong association with milk yield. In this study, 32 previously unreported, putative novel SNPs (31 in the 5' non-coding region) were identified by resequencing ∼19 kb of the GHR gene in genomic DNA from 22 cattle of multiple breeds.

The association between neck disability and jaw disability.

The association between cervical spine disorders (CSD) and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) has been extensively investigated. However, no studies investigating the relationship between the level of jaw disability and neck disability have been published. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether there was a relationship between neck disability measured using the neck disability index (NDI) and jaw disability measured through the jaw function scale (JFS).

A general method for characterization of humoral immunity induced by a vaccine or infection.

A universal system to diagnose disease, characterize infection or evaluate the response to a vaccine would be useful. Towards this end we introduce a machine-readable platform that we term "Immunosignaturing". Rather than attempt to identify antibodies one by one, we splay the entire immune response across an array of 10,000 random sequence peptides.

Associations between vaccinations against protozoal and viral infections and Salmonella in broiler flocks.

Reducing the burden of Salmonella in broiler flocks presents a challenge for public health. Worldwide, grow-out broilers are routinely vaccinated to prevent or lessen clinical manifestation of other infections. In this exploratory analysis we tested if details of a routine vaccination programme delivered to conventional grow-out broilers were associated with the burden of Salmonella in the flock as it progressed through its production cycle.

Epidemiology and effect on production parameters of an outbreak of inclusion body hepatitis in broilers.

In 2007, an inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) outbreak affected several broiler farms in Mississippi. Results of logistic regression analyses showed significant associations between IBH occurrence and high enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay geometric mean titers for infectious bursal disease virus. However, there was no association between IBH occurrence and chicken infectious anemia virus status.

High grade splenic rupture in an elite Rugby Union player.

The authors present the case of an amateur under-18 international squad Rugby Union player who sustained a Grade III splenic rupture while scoring a try. He was admitted to hospital and treated with strict bedrest following initial computed tomography (CT) evaluation. He maintained hemodynamic stability throughout and registered no drop in hemoglobin.

Risk factors associated with detection of Salmonella in broiler litter at the time of new flock placement.

In this study, we investigated risk factors associated with the probability to detect Salmonella in samples of litter collected within 2 h prior to new flock placement in 76 grow-out houses on 38 conventional broiler farms located in the US states of Mississippi, Alabama and Texas. We evaluated characteristics of location and layout of the farm; area adjacent to and surrounding the house; house construction; condition and type of equipment in the house; litter management and other production, sanitation, visitation and biosecurity practices; non-broiler animal species on the farm; and weather conditions on the 3 days leading up to flock placement. Logistic regression was used to model the relationships between probability to detect Salmonella in litter and potential risk factors.

A complete mitochondrial genome sequence from a mesolithic wild aurochs (Bos primigenius).

Background: The derivation of domestic cattle from the extinct wild aurochs (Bos primigenius) has been well-documented by archaeological and genetic studies. Genetic studies point towards the Neolithic Near East as the centre of origin for Bos taurus, with some lines of evidence suggesting possible, albeit rare, genetic contributions from locally domesticated wild aurochsen across Eurasia. Inferences from these investigations have been based largely on the analysis of partial mitochondrial DNA sequences generated from modern animals, with limited sequence data from ancient aurochsen samples.

Reliability of scapular positioning measurement procedure using the palpation meter (PALM).

Background And Objectives: Observation and measurement of the static position of the scapula is important for investigating both shoulder and neck pathology. Measurement of scapular position is complex and lacks a clinically useful instrument. The objective of this study was to investigate the reliability of the Palpation Meter (PALM) for measuring scapular position when the glenohumeral joint is held in various positions.

Does amplitude-modulated frequency have a role in the hypoalgesic response of interferential current on pressure pain sensitivity in healthy subjects? A randomised crossover study.

Objective: To investigate the hypoalgesic effect of amplitude-modulated frequency during interferential current therapy using an experimentally induced mechanical pain model in normal subjects. This study examined pain pressure sensitivities achieved when the amplitude-modulated frequency parameter was present (100Hz) and absent (0Hz).

Design: Randomised controlled crossover trial with repeated measures.

A reduced multiplier beamformer architecture for ultrasound imaging systems.

This paper presents a new ultrasound beamforming architecture that greatly reduces the number of multiplications in a DAS (Delay And Sum) implementation as MLAs (Multiple Line Acquisitions) and data channels increase in the system. A mathematical derivation is provided for the new DAS-DPC (Data Path Combined) beamformer architecture along with multiplier analysis that compares the new architecture to a standard DAS implementation. Simulation results using a kidney image from a well-known simulation tool called Field II are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new beamforming architecture as compared to a standard DAS architecture.

Analysis of fixed point FFT for Fourier domain optical coherence tomography systems.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new imaging modality gaining popularity in the medical community. Its application includes ophthalmology, gastroenterology, dermatology etc. As the use of OCT increases, the need for portable, low power devices also increases.

Investigation of uncertainties in image registration of cone beam CT to CT on an image-guided radiotherapy system.

Methods of measuring uncertainties in rigid body image registration of fan beam computed tomography (FBCT) to cone beam CT (CBCT) have been developed for automatic image registration algorithms in a commercial image guidance system (Synergy, Elekta, UK). The relationships between image registration uncertainty and both imaging dose and image resolution have been investigated with an anthropomorphic skull phantom and further measurements performed with patient images of the head. A new metric of target registration error is proposed.