Methane emissions, feed intake, and total tract digestibility in lambs fed diets differing in fat content and fibre digestibility

This study determined enteric methane (CH4) emissions, intake, and apparent total tract digestibility of diets varying in fibre digestibility and fat content. A Latin square design with two levels of fat [2.0% and 6.0% dry matter (DM); low and high] and two levels of fibre digestibility [low fibre digestibility (LFbD) or high fibre digestibility (HFbD)] was used. Higher dry matter intake (DMI) was observed (P < 0.01) for LFbD versus HFbD diets (2.56 vs. 2.14 kg d−1, respectively), with no effect of fat. Fibre, DM, and organic matter digestibility were higher (P < 0.01) for HFbD than LFbD diets. Increasing fat did not affect intake or digestibility of DM or dietary constituents but there was a fibre digestibility × fat content interaction (P < 0.01) for fat digestibility. There was also a fat content × fibre digestibility interaction (P < 0.05) for CH4 (g kg−1 DMI, organic matter intake, neutral detergent fibre intake, and percent gross energy intake), with emissions being higher when fat was added to the HFbD than the LFbD diet. The CH4 emissions per kilogram of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digested were higher (P < 0.01) for the HFbD than the LFbD diet. Methane emissions were increased by the HFbD diet, but inclusion of fat had a differential impact on CH4 emissions as a proportion of DMI or NDF intake in diets differing in fibre digestibility.

Relationship between residual feed intake classification as a heifer and lifetime productivity of beef cattle

The effect of residual feed intake adjusted for backfat thickness (RFIfat) on heifer pregnancy rate and subsequent lifetime productivity was examined in 867 beef females that were ranked as low, medium, or high RFIfat. Age at first calving, weaning weight of first calf, and most probable producing ability for birth weight (MPPAbw) and weaning weight (MPPAww) were calculated to assess first parity heifer productivity. The effect of heifer RFI adjusted for backfat (RFIfat; n = 532) on subsequent lifetime cow productivity (n = 415) was calculated based on kg of calf weaned per cow bred per year. A total lifetime productivity measure (n = 218) were also calculated as total calf weaning weight (kg) output per cow culled. RFI rank had no significant effect on pregnancy rate, when adjusted for season and site differences (P = 0.33). No significant correlations (P < 0.05) were observed between MPPAww and RFI, RFIfat, RFI adjusted for backfat and feeding event frequency (RFIfat & activity), or age at first calving. A negative trend (P < 0.10) between RFI, RFIfat, and MPPAbw calculated from first parity pregnancy rate and production traits was no longer apparent when adjusted for RFIfat & activity. These results suggest that selection for low RFI replacement heifers has no impact on their first parity pregnancy rate and productivity or on subsequent cow productivity.

Energy utilization in cattle with steady state and non-steady state methods: the importance of thermal neutrality

The efficiency by which animals utilize dietary energy is fundamental to the cost of production for protein of animal origin and to the carbon footprint an animal industry has. Hence, the development of cost effective methodology for determining these measurements of efficiency is important. The objective of the present study was to investigate the use of infrared thermography in a rapid, non-steady state method for measuring energy loss in cattle. Data from 241 yearling bulls and steers as well as heifers and mature cows are presented. Infrared images were collected following a 24h feed withdrawal period. The infrared thermal response in these animals was significantly ranked (P < 0.03) with conventional measurements of feed efficiency using residual feed intake values for animals demonstrated to be within a thermal neutral zone. When animals were not within a thermal neutral zone there was no significant ranking. The data suggests that the use of a non-steady state approach using infrared thermography for identifying metabolic efficiency in animals may be a more rapid and less expensive method for identifying differences in energy utilization. The data also demonstrates the importance of maintaining thermal neutrality when measuring metabolic efficiency irrespective of the methodology.

Effect of yeast-derived products on systemic innate immune response of broiler chickens following a lipopolysaccharide challenge

This study evaluated the effect of yeast-derived products on growth performance, serum antibody levels, and mRNA gene expression of pattern-recognition receptors, and cytokines in broiler chickens. Two hundred and sixteen one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross-308) were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments with six replicates (cage) of 6 birds per cage. Dietary treatments consisted of a Control diet without antibiotics (C), and diets containing 11 mg/kg of "virginiamycin", 0.25% of yeast cell wall (YCW), 0.2% of a commercial product "Maxi-Gen Plus" containing processed yeast and nucleotides, 0.05% of nucleotides, or a diet containing 8% of distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS). On d 21 post-hatch blood samples were collected from 6 birds per treatment and serum sample were analyzed for antibody levels. After blood sampling, birds were injected intraperitoneally with 3 mg/kg of BW of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The unchallenged group was fed the Control diet and injected with saline solution. Spleen samples were collected to measure the gene expression of toll-like receptors (TLR)2b, TLR4, and TLR21, macrophage mannose receptor (MMR), and cytokines including interleukin (IL)-12, IL-10, IL-4, IL-6, IL-18, and interferon (IFN)-γ. No significant difference in body weight gain, feed intake, and FCR were observed among treatments. Regarding humoral immunity, the diet supplemented with YCW increased serum immunoglobulin (Ig)A level compared with the antibiotic group; however, serum concentrations of IgG and IgM were not affected by dietary treatments. Relative gene expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was not affected by dietary treatments, whereas the expression of TLR21 and MRR was upregulated in diets containing YCW and DDGS. The diet supplemented with YCW increased the expression of all cytokines, and expression of IFN-γ was upregulated in the DDGS group. However, no significant difference was observed for cytokine gene expression in the antibiotic and nucleotide diets. In conclusion, supplementation of diet with YCW stimulated the systemic innate immune responses of broiler chickens following challenge with LPS.

Assessment of the effects of the season of transport on the performance of early-weaned piglets

Six groups of 48 Cotswold piglets, weaned at 17 ± 1 d of age, were transported during three seasons (summer, winter or fall) and for four durations (0, 6, 12 or 24 h). As in commercial transport, feed and water were not available and supplemental heat was not provided. During transport, truck temperatures and piglet skin and rectal temperatures were recorded. At the end of transport piglets were placed in groups of four, in weanling pens. Body weights were recorded daily for 7 d and at 14 d.

Caring and professional practice settings: the impact of technology, change, and efficiency

Technology, change, efficiency, and caring are not necessarily concepts that are used in the same sentence when describing motivational and professional practice settings. Caring within health care organizations can take many forms. One of the most significant and meaningful forms is through building networks for shared decision making and shared accountability. While caring can save the life of a patient and convey trust and commitment to patients, families, and staff, it can also save the life of your organization.

Evidence for the hybrid origin of Nuphar xrubrodisca (Nymphaeaceae)

Plants intermediate in appearance between Nuphar microphyllaand N. variegata (Nymphaeaceae) have long been assumed to bethe result of hybridization. The evidence for this is based primarilyon field observations of morphology, poor fruit production, closegeographical proximity of presumed parent species, and limited pollensterility data. Fertile populations of the same plants have also beendocumented. We employed multivariate analyses of morphology, pollenfertility studies, and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markersto test the hypothesis that Nuphar × rubrodiscarepresents a natural interspecific hybrid between N.microphylla and N. variegata. Examination of 15morphological characters demonstrated the intermediacy of N.× rubrodisca between N. microphylla and N.variegata, and the pollen data revealed a markedly lower meanpollen viability in N. × rubrodisca (23%)compared to the other two species (91 and 86%, respectively). Eight 10-mer primers produced 13 species-specific RAPD markers forN. microphylla and nine for N. variegata, with all 22markers present in N. × rubrodisca. The datafrom RAPDs are concordant with morphology in implicating N.microphylla and N. variegata as parents of N.×rubrodisca.

The entrepreneurial personality: building a sustainable future for self and the profession

Entrepreneurs look to the future and see opportunity where others see barriers. They are proactive with the never-ending cycle of change, recognizing that change relocates opportunity. Nurse entrepreneurs make themselves aware of emerging health care trends, acquire the skills demanded by those trends, and arrive in the new era fully equipped to flourish.

Pharmacokinetics of ochratoxin A and its metabolites in rats

Ochratoxin A (OA) is a mycotoxin that is produced on moist grain. It is commonly found in the blood of swine in western Canada and is a potent nephrotoxic, carcinogen, and immunosuppressive agent. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of six analogs of OA including OA, OB (OA without chloride), OC (OA ethyl ester), and some metabolites, such as O alpha (OA without phenylalanine), OA-OH (hydroxylated OA), and a newly discovered form of OA, OP-OA (lactone opened ring of OA), were investigated in rats after a single intravenous administration of the compounds. All of the ochratoxin analogs were distributed following a two compartment open model. The elimination half-lives of OA, OP-OA, O alpha, OA-OH, OB, and OC were 103+/-16, 50.5+/-2.8, 9.6+/-2.3, 6+/-0.9, 4.2+/-1.2, and 0.6+/-0.2 hr, respectively. Total body clearance of OA, OP-OA, O alpha, OA-OH, and OB via the bile, urine, and metabolic routes were 3.1, 3.6, 40, 65, and 43 ml/hr kg, respectively. OA, OB, and O alpha were mainly cleared in the urine (> or = 48%), OA-OH in the bile (41%), and OP-OA as metabolites (43%). Metabolism accounted for 43, 44, 33, and 29% of the total clearance of OA, O alpha, OA-OH, and OB, respectively. It is concluded that OA has a long half-life and is very slowly cleared from the body and that its metabolites are cleared at a much faster rate with much shorter half-lives. Procedures should be devised to enhance the conversion in the body of OA to O alpha, OA-OH, or other metabolites as this would shorten its half-life and therefore its toxicity.

After a merger: the dilemma of the best leadership approach for nursing

The following case study exemplifies for the nurse leader some of the difficulties involved in making a merger work and selecting the best options to sustain nursing services following the merger. Three nurse leaders look at the case study from a variety of viewpoints and suggest a range of responses that gives the reader an opportunity to consider a selection of insights that best address the issues presented in the case study. All of the respondents have been involved in complex mergers and bring a depth of experience to their review of the case.

Joint venture arrangement for RN to BSN. A model of synergy between academia and service

The joint venture between or among educational and practice institutions is fast becoming the norm in nursing education and practice. Authors Bargagliotti, Jones, Trygstad, Hayward, Crow, and Bower, describe one such program enabling RNs to pursue the BSN degree.

Dengue fever in American military personnel in the Philippines: clinical observations on hospitalized patients during a 1984 epidemic

From June - August, 1984, 24 American military personnel were hospitalized with dengue (DEN) at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Their infections were confirmed by serology using the hemagglutination-inhibition test and/or by virus isolation in Aedes pseudoscutellaris cell cultures. Most of the patients had a secondary type of antibody response probably reflecting prior vaccination against yellow fever. Three serotypes of DEN virus were isolated; 7 isolates of DEN 1, 4 isolates of DEN 3 and 3 isolates of DEN 2. All of the patients were Caucasian males between the ages of 20-43 years. All of the cases were clinically diagnosed as classical dengue fever. A platelet count of less than or equal to 100,000/microliters was a common finding (83.3%); however, hemoconcentration was not documented. Other major findings were the occurrence of mild hypotension (62.5%) and petechiae (37.5%). One patient presented with shock and upper gastrointestinal bleeding, but his diagnosis was complicated by a history of epigastric pain and use of aspirin. Although all of the patients fully recovered, the severity of illness was clearly documented by the average-length of hospitalization (5.9 days) and average time absent from work (8.7 days).

Components of the frequency-following potential in man

The scalp recorded frequency-following potentials (FFP) are a composite of several FFP's which may be distinguished by comparing simultaneously recorded waveforms from vertical and horizontal derivations in response to tones of very low frequently (below 350 Hz). The two most prominent FFP's were designated FFP1 and FFP2. FFP1 was recorded equally well in vertical and horizontal derivations and at a high stimulus intensities tended to be the predominant FFP. FFP2 followed FFP1 usually by about 1.7 msec and was optimally recorded in the vertical derivation. FFP2 threshold was about 10 dB lower than threshold for FFP1 and in several subjects, FFP2 was observed at 25 dB SL. Two other FFP's, a far-field recorded cochlear microphonic potential and a low-amplitude FFP, the latter presumably of neural origin, were also studied.