Large-scale association study for structural soundness and leg locomotion traits in the pig.

Background: Identification and culling of replacement gilts with poor skeletal conformation and feet and leg (FL) unsoundness is an approach used to reduce sow culling and mortality rates in breeding stock. Few candidate genes related to soundness traits have been identified in the pig.

Methods: In this study, 2066 commercial females were scored for 17 traits describing body conformation and FL structure, and were used for association analyses.

Clinical and pathological responses of pigs from two genetically diverse commercial lines to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection.

The response to infection from porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) for 2 genetically diverse commercial pig lines was investigated. Seventy-two pigs from each line, aged 6 wk, were challenged with PRRSV VR-2385, and 66 litter-mates served as control. The clinical response to infection was monitored throughout the study and pigs were necropsied at 10 or 21 d postinfection.

Difference in severity of porcine circovirus type two-induced pathological lesions between Landrace and Pietrain pigs.

Anecdotal information from the field suggests that there are host genetic differences in susceptibility to porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) associated disease among Landrace and Pietrain breeds. The objective of this study was to determine if a difference exists in PCV2 susceptibility between Landrace and Pietrain pigs under experimental conditions. Thirty-nine Landrace pigs and 39 Pietrain pigs were blocked by breed, sire, dam, and litter and randomly divided into the following 4 groups: Landrace noninoculated negative control (Landrace-NEG; n = 13), Pietrain noninoculated negative control (Pietrain-NEG; n = 13), Landrace-PCV2 (n = 26; Landrace), and Pietrain-PCV2 (n = 26; Pietrain).

Porcine skeletal muscle differentially expressed gene CMYA1: isolation, characterization, mapping, expression and association analysis with carcass traits.

To investigate the differences in gene expression between some obese and lean pig breeds, differential display of mRNA was employed in our previous research. One differentially expressed EST (BI596262) was further identified as the porcine cardiomyopathy associated 1 (CMYA1) gene because of its homology to the human CMYA1 gene. The full-length DNA of the porcine CMYA1 gene encompasses 9379 bp, including a complete open reading frame encoding 1839 amino acid residues, a 158-bp 5'-untranslated region and a 630-bp 3'-untranslated region.

A whole genome scan for quantitative trait loci for leg weakness and its related traits in a large F2 intercross population between White Duroc and Erhualian.

To detect QTL for leg weakness and its related traits in pigs, a total of 1,484 F(2) pigs were recorded for leg (at 76 and 213 d) and gait scores (at 153 and 223 d) in a White Duroc x Erhualian intercross. The length and weight of the biceps brachii muscle were measured after slaughter at 240 d. A genome scan was performed with 183 microsatellite markers in the population.

Detection of condensed-phase explosives via laser-induced vaporization, photodissociation, and resonant excitation.

We investigate the remote detection of explosives via a technique that vaporizes and photodissociates the condensed-phase material and detects the resulting vibrationally excited NO fragments via laser-induced fluorescence. The technique utilizes a single 7 ns pulse of a tunable laser near 236.2 nm to perform these multiple processes.

SNP detection and comparative linkage mapping of 66 bone-related genes in the pig.

Osteoporosis is a multigenic complex disorder. Though the mouse and rat are used as experimental models for human osteoporosis, the pig bone remodeling cycle is histologically more similar to human than the rat or mouse. Moreover, livestock genomics have many advantages over model organisms and human studies for complex trait dissection.

Association analyses between type 2 diabetes genes and obesity traits in pigs.

To investigate candidate genes involved in human type 2 diabetes (T2D) for obesity-related phenotypes in pigs. Statistical association analyses of genes with fat deposition were realized in a pig reference family constructed by two breeds, Berkshire and Yorkshire. Extensive sequencing was then attempted to discover the causative polymorphism.

Overuse of tympanostomy tubes in New York metropolitan area: evidence from five hospital cohort.

Objectives: To compare tympanostomy tube insertion for children with otitis media in 2002 with the recommendations of two sets of expert guidelines.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: New York metropolitan area practices associated with five diverse hospitals.

SNP discovery in Litopenaeus vannamei with a new computational pipeline.

Litopenaeus vannamei (Pacific white shrimp) have been farmed in the Americas for many years and are growing in popularity in Asia with the development of specific pathogen-free stocks. The full genomic sequence of this species might not be available in the near future, so other tools are needed to discover the location of polymorphic sites for quantitative trait loci mapping, association studies and subsequent marker-assisted selection. Currently, 25 937 L.

Intoxications due to ingestion of gamma-butyrolactone: organ distribution of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and gamma-butyrolactone.

In Europe, the misuse of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and its analogues has increased within the recent years. Here, 2 fatalities and 1 nonfatal intoxication resulting from ingestion of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a precursor of GHB, are presented. GHB was quantified involving the conversion to GBL by application of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method.

SNP discovery in genes affecting leg health traits in pigs.

Sow reproductive life is influenced by lameness issues. It has been reported that up to 44 percent of sows have locomotive problems. To date, few genome scans or association studies have been conducted to look at genes controlling lameness and other gait traits.

Cracking the genomic piggy bank: identifying secrets of the pig genome.

Though researchers are uncovering valuable information about the pig genome at unprecedented speed, the porcine genome community is barely scratching the surface as to understanding interactions of the biological code. The pig genetic linkage map has nearly 5,000 loci comprised of genes, microsatellites, and amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Likewise, the physical map is becoming denser with nearly 6,000 markers.

Genetic markers for the production of US country hams.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of candidate genes on processing quality traits of US country hams. A total of 321 fresh hams of unknown breed and sex were examined and data on quality and physical traits were collected. The hams were then processed following typical US commercial dry-curing procedures for ham and data on additional traits were collected from the cured hams.

Investigation of QTL regions on Chromosome 17 for genes associated with meat color in the pig.

Previous studies have uncovered several significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) relevant to meat colour traits mapped at the end of SSC17 in the pig. Furthermore, results released from the porcine genome sequencing project have identified genes underlying the entire QTL regions and can further contribute to mining the region for likely causative genes. Ten protein coding genes or novel transcripts located within the QTL regions were screened for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Advances in pig genomics and functional gene discovery.

Advances in pig gene identification, mapping and functional analysis have continued to make rapid progress. The porcine genetic linkage map now has nearly 3000 loci, including several hundred genes, and is likely to expand considerably in the next few years, with many more genes and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers being added to the map. The physical genetic map is also growing rapidly and has over 3000 genes and markers.

An alternative method for genotyping of the ACE I/D polymorphism.

The mistyping of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme insertion/deletion (ACE I/D) has been well documented, and new methods have been suggested here to improve the genotyping efficiency. Buccal cell samples were collected from 157 young Caucasians, and genotyped using previously known and newly developed PCR amplification genotyping techniques, as well as PCR-RFLP tests for three single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs4327, rs4341 and rs4343). Inconsistent genotyping results were found when using only the PCR amplification genotyping techniques across repeated attempts (8% to 45%), however, individual SNP genotyping was highly consistent (100%).

Porcine TEF1 and RTEF1: molecular characterization and association analyses with growth traits.

TEA domain transcription factors play vital roles in myogenesis by binding the M-CAT motif in the promoter of the muscle-specific genes. In the present study, we cloned two porcine TEA domain family genes, TEF1 and RTEF1, and identified two different variants respectively. RT-PCR revealed that the TEF1-a variant was highly expressed and up-regulated with the development of the porcine skeletal muscle, indicating its potential regulatory function for muscle development.

Response to dietary phosphorus deficiency is affected by genetic background in growing pigs.

Concern over the environmental effect of P excretion from pig production has led to reduced dietary P supplementation. To examine how genetics influence P utilization, 94 gilts sired by 2 genetic lines (PIC337 and PIC280) were housed individually and fed either a P-adequate diet (PA) or a 20% P-deficient diet (PD) for 14 wk. Initially and monthly, blood samples were collected and BW recorded after an overnight fast.

Development of an in silico coding gene SNP map in pigs.

A total of 5450 sequences obtained from the NCBI pig SNP database were consolidated into 465 unique sequences (189 singleton sequences and 276 contigs). These 465 sequences contained 1787 putative SNPs and had strong sequence homology to 433 human protein-coding genes based on blast analyses. These genes were assigned to the pig QTL maps (http://www.

Glucuronidation of paracetamol by human liver microsomes in vitro / enzyme kinetic parameters and interactions with short-chain aliphatic alcohols and opiates.

In this study, glucuronidation of paracetamol (CAS 103-90-2) by human liver microsomes and the effects of aliphatic alcohols and opiates were investigated. Paracetamol glucuronidation was optimised for various incubation conditions. Ten different aliphatic alcohols and the opiates morphine, codeine and dihydrocodeine were analysed as inhibitors of paracetamol glucuronidation.

Molecular characteristics of the porcine DLK1 and MEG3 genes.

Imprinted genes play important roles in embryo survival and postnatal growth regulation. The DLK1 and MEG3 (previously GTL2) genes are linked and reciprocally imprinted in several mammals, but their imprinting status is still unknown in pigs. In this study, we report polymorphisms, imprinting status and QTL analyses of the porcine DLK1 and MEG3 genes.

Nitrous Oxide sedation for intra-articular injection in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Background: Intra-articular corticosteroid injection in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is often associated with anxiety and pain. Recent reports advocate the use of nitrous oxide (NO), a volatile gas with analgesic, anxiolytic and sedative properties.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of NO analgesia for intra-articular corticosteroid injection in JIA, and to assess patients and staff satisfaction with the treatment.

Clinical characteristics of New York City children who received tympanostomy tubes in 2002.

Objective: Tympanostomy tube insertion is the most common procedure that requires general anesthesia for children in the United States. We report on the clinical characteristics of a cohort of New York City children who received tympanostomy tubes in 2002.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all 1046 children who received tubes in 2002 in any of 5 New York City area hospitals.

Detection of methylphenidate in the hair of children treated with Ritalin.

Hair samples were collected from 17 children (7-16 years of age) who had received methylphenidate therapy on a long-term basis. The dose was 10-60 mg per day. To 20 mg of pulverized hair, phosphate buffer and internal standard (norpethidine) were added.