Characterizing the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of pain biomarkers in cattle using receiver operating characteristic curves.

Biomarkers are used to assess pain and analgesic drug efficacy in livestock. However, often the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers for different painful conditions over time have not been described. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves are graphical plots that illustrate the diagnostic ability of a test as its discrimination threshold is varied.

A longitudinal investigation of an outbreak of toe tip necrosis syndrome in western Canadian feedlot cattle.

This investigation followed a cohort ( = 21) of single-sourced Angus cross yearling heifers diagnosed with toe tip necrosis syndrome (TTNS). The animals were intensively followed for ~7 months, over which time 5 animals were euthanized because of intractable lameness or life-threatening sequelae such as cellulitis and myositis. Treatment consisted of systemic antimicrobial and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy, removing the necrotic horn tissue to facilitate drainage, and relocating the cattle to an earthen-floor pen.

Use of topical healing agents on scrotal wounds after surgical castration in weaned beef calves.

Angus bulls ( = 48) were randomly assigned to control (castrated without the application of a postoperative healing agent) or surgical castration followed by either the application of a topical germicide, aluminum powder spray, or liquid bandage. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of commercial topical healing agents in improving wound healing and reducing inflammation and secondary infection after surgical castration. Indicators of wound healing included scrotal area temperature (determined by infrared thermography), scrotal circumference, clinical state of the scrotum score, and the wound healing score.

Plant hormone-assisted early family selection in Pinus densiflora via a retrospective approach.

In an even-aged pine forest trees can vary considerably in stem size. We examined the basis for this anomaly using a retrospective approach. Twelve open-pollinated families of Pinus densiflora Sieb.

A retrospective study of non-suppurative encephalitis in beef cattle from western Canada.

Non-suppurative encephalitis occurs sporadically in beef cattle in western Canada, leading to loss of animals. This retrospective study investigated the presence of viral, bacterial, and protozoal antigens or DNA in 37 western Canadian feedlot cattle with non-suppurative encephalitis for which a cause had not been identified. Cases were selected based on the age of the animal (> 7 months), and clinical history of recumbency and depression.

Synthesis and Biological Activity of 25-Methoxy-, 25-Fluoro-, and 25-Azabrassinolide and 25-Fluorocastasterone: Surprising Effects of Heteroatom Substituents at C-25.

The CuCN-catalyzed addition of 2-propenylmagnesium bromide to (threo-2R,3S,5alpha,22R,23R,24S)-23,24-epoxy-6,6-(ethylenedioxy)-2,3-(isopropylidenedioxy)-26,27-dinorcholestan-22-ol (11a) afforded the corresponding Delta(25)-22,23-diol 12. This was converted into 25-methoxybrassinolide (7) by protection as the 22,23-acetonide 13, oxymercuration in methanol, Baeyer-Villiger oxidation, and deprotection. Similarly, the addition of pyridinium poly(hydrogen fluoride) to 13 and deprotection afforded 25-fluorocastasterone (8), which was converted into 25-fluorobrassinolide (9) by Baeyer-Villiger oxidation.

Design, synthesis, and bioactivity of the first nonsteroidal mimetics of brassinolide.

Ten novel compounds, each consisting of two subunits and a linker, were designed with the aid of molecular modeling to resemble the natural steroidal phytohormone brassinolide. The mimetics were synthesized and subjected to the rice leaf lamina inclination bioassay to test for brassinosteroid activity. Most of the mimetics displayed very weak or no bioactivity, but two were strongly active when coapplied with the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), which synergizes the activity of brassinosteroids.

Effect of chain length and ring size of alkyl and cycloalkyl side-chain substituents upon the biological activity of brassinosteroids. Preparation of novel analogues with activity exceeding that of brassinolide.

A series of brassinosteroids with different alkyl or cycloalkyl substituents in place of the isopropyl group at C-24 of brassinolide (1) were prepared by the CuCN-catalyzed addition of Grignard reagents to (threo-2R,3S,5alpha,22R,23R,24S)-23,24-epoxy-6, 6-(ethylenedioxy)-2,3-(isopropylidenedioxy)-26, 27-dinorcholestan-22-ol (9), followed by deketalization and Baeyer-Villiger oxidation. Compound 9 was employed as part of a 70:30 threo/erythro mixture of epoxides 9 and 10, from which the erythro-epoxide 10 was recovered intact after the Grignard additions. Thus, the corresponding n-dodecyl, n-hexyl, n-propyl, tert-butyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclobutyl, and cyclopropyl analogues of brassinolide were obtained.