Additivity of values for apparent and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in mixed diets fed to growing pigs

The objective of this experiment was to determine whether the digestibility of CP and AA in a mixed diet fed to growing pigs is better predicted when based on standardized ileal digestibility coefficients (SID) or apparent ileal digestibility coefficients (AID). Eight growing pigs (initial BW = 92.1 +/- 3.19 kg) were surgically equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and arranged in an 8 x 8 Latin square design with eight diets and eight periods. Three of the diets contained corn, soybean meal (SBM), or canola meal (CM) as the sole source of CP and AA. Four mixed diets also were formulated using corn and soybean meal (CS); corn and canola meal (CCM); soybean meal and canola meal (SCM); or corn, soybean meal, and canola meal (CSCM). A N-free diet was used to measure the basal ileal endogenous losses (IAAend) of CP and AA. Pigs were fed each of the eight diets during one 7-d period, and ileal digesta were collected during two 10-h periods on d 6 and 7. The AID values were calculated for CP and AA in all diets, except the N-free diet. By correcting the AID for IAAend, the SID for CP and AA in each of the seven protein-containing diets were calculated. As expected, the AID for CP and the majority of AA were greater in SBM than in corn and CM (P < 0.05); however, the SID for CP and most AA did not differ between corn and SBM. For the majority of the AA, SID were less (P < 0.05) in CM than in the other two ingredients. Using the AID and the SID that were measured for CP and AA in corn, SBM, and CM, the AID and the SID in the four mixed diets were predicted and compared with the measured values for these diets. For the three mixed diets containing corn, the measured AID for CP and most AA were greater (P < 0.05) than the predicted AID, but with a few exceptions, no differences between predicted and measured values for SID were observed. For the diet based on SCM, there were no differences between predicted and measured values regardless of the procedure used, except for the AID of Ser. The results of this experiment demonstrate that the digestibility coefficients for a mixed diet containing low-protein feed ingredients, such as corn, are more accurately predicted using SID than AID.     

Voyager 2 radio observations of uranus

Within distances to Uranus of about 6 x 10(6) kilometers (inbound) and 35 x 10(6) kilometers (outbound), the planetary radio astronomy experiment aboard Voyager 2 detected a wide variety of radio emissions. The emission was modulated in a period of 17.24 +/- 0.01 hours, which is identified as the rotation period of Uranus' magnetic field. Of the two poles where the axis of the off-center magnetic dipole (measured by the magnetometer experiment aboard Voyager 2) meets the planetary surface, the one closer to dipole center is now located on the nightside of the planet. The radio emission generally had maximum power and bandwidth when this pole was tipped toward the spacecraft. When the spacecraft entered the nightside hemisphere, which contains the stronger surface magnetic pole, the bandwidth increased dramatically and thereafter remained large. Dynamically evolving radio events of various kinds embedded in these emissions suggest a Uranian magnetosphere rich in magnetohydrodynamic phenomena.     

A feline retrovirus induced T-lymphoblastoid cell-line that produces an atypical alpha type of interferon

A cell-line, designated LSA-1, was derived from a thymic lymphosarcoma that occurred in a cat with experimentally induced feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection. LSA-1 cells possessed surface receptors and antigens of normal T-lymphocytes, but were unresponsive to interleukin-2 stimulation. The LSA cell-line was found to constitutively produce and release an interferon into the culture supernatants. Production of this interferon was enhanced in certain clones of the original LSA-1 cell lines. The interferon produced by LSA-1 cells and some of its clones was compared to the standard alpha, beta, and gamma interferons of cats. Unlike alpha and beta interferons, which were acid, SDS, and heat stable, LSA interferon was acid labile and SDS and heat stable. In comparison, standard feline gamma interferon was acid, SDS, and heat labile. LSA interferon had a molecular weight of 20,000 daltons, compared to 17-19,000 daltons for gamma, 19-25,000 for beta, and 25-45,000 daltons for alpha interferons. Standard feline interferons were active only on cat cell lines, with the exceptions of alpha interferon, which also reacted with MDCK canine cells. LSA interferon resembled the standard feline alpha interferon because it also reacted with feline and canine cells. It was concluded that LSA interferon was an atypical acid labile alpha interferon, resembling in this respect the abnormal alpha interferon seen in humans with AIDS and SLE, and mice with retrovirus infections. LSA-1 cells produced high levels of FeLV structural proteins but very little infectious virus. This effect was due to endogenously produced interferon; LSA cell clones that were selected for low interferon production produced much higher levels of infectious FeLV than parent cells or clones selected for high interferon production. Cat cells pretreated with LSA or with standard feline alpha and beta interferons, and then infected with FeLV, produced high levels of FeLV proteins but very little infectious virus.     

Alternatives to Blood as a Source of DNA for Large-scale Scanning Studies of Canine Genome Linkages

Participation and compliance are critical to the success of any large-scale study of canine disease using DNA markers. Most canine genetic studies rely upon DNA extracted from peripheral blood samples. We assessed the utility of buccal swab epithelial cells and toe nails as a source of DNA for use in genomic screening studies. Using eight multiplexed canine microsatellite markers, amplified DNA obtained from peripheral blood, and from freshly extracted buccal epithelial cells, and buccal swab DNA extracted and stored at –20°C for 27 months or extracted from toe nails were compared for three dogs. The accuracy of the genotyping at each locus was identical for each preparation. Buccal swab DNA samples were readily and uniformly amplified and could be stored for years without loss of integrity. Each buccal swab provided sufficient DNA for more than 200 individual PCR reactions. Toe nails provided ample DNA for thousands of PCR reactions and had the added advantage of ease of storage of the original tissues. These studies demonstrate the potential utility of DNA derived from buccal swabs or nails in large-scale genomic scanning and marker linkage studies.     

Comparison of the Distribution and Occurrence of Fusarium graminearum and Deoxynivalenol in Hard Red Winter Wheat for 1993-1996

Hard red winter wheat samples collected from different locations in Kansas from the 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 harvests were plated to determine Fusarium graminearum infection and analyzed for deoxynivalenol by thin-layer and gas chromatography. Rainfall, temperature, and cultivar were important factors affecting the severity of F. graminearum infection as well as deoxynivalenol production. The 1993 and 1995 growing seasons had high percentages of samples infected with F. graminearum and contaminated with deoxynivalenol. Averaged over the four years, cultivars 2163 and Karl had significantly higher levels of infection than did TAM 107. These widely grown cultivars were used in comparison. Northeastern Kansas had the highest levels of F. graminearum infection and deoxynivalenol contamination but also had the lowest acreage planted to hard red winter wheat.