Influence of transgenic corn (CBH 351, named Starlink) on health condition of dairy cows and transfer of Cry9C protein and cry9C gene to milk, blood, liver and muscle

The influence of transgenic event CBH 351 (Starlink)-derived hybrid corn (SL) on the health condition, physiological function and lactational performance of dairy cows as well as the transfer of the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein present in SL to milk, blood, liver and muscles was examined, and compared with a diet containing non-transgenic (isogenic) control corn (non-SL). After adapting to a diet containing non-SL for 2 weeks, four Holstein cows were assigned to each of the non-SL and SL groups and were fed diets containing non-SL or SL, respectively, for 5 weeks. There were no significant influences on the physiological condition, milk yield or serum biochemical and hematological values after feeding with SL. There was also no influence on pH value, cell density of protozoa, or volatile fatty acid concentration and composition of rumen fluids. In addition, no significant differences were observed on histopathological examination of the major organs and tissues between the SL and non-SL groups. Moreover, the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein were not detected by the polymerase chain reaction method and ELISA in the milk, blood, liver and muscles of the cows at the end of the experiment.     

Evaluation of transgenic event CBH 351 (StarLink) corn in broiler chicks

The influence of transgenic event CBH 351 (StarLink; SL)-derived hybrid corn on the growth performance, health condition and physiological function in broiler chicks, as well as the possible transfer of the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein to blood, liver and muscle were examined in comparison with chicks fed on a diet with non-transgenic corn (SL-F). Bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio in the chicks fed on a diet with SL were significantly greater than in chicks fed on a diet with SL-F during the starter phase (0–3 weeks of age), but this significant difference disappeared during the finisher phase (4–7 weeks of age). No abnormalities in health condition in either SL or SL-F groups were observed, and livability did not differ significantly between SL and SL-F groups. Moreover, no significant differences in serum biochemical and hematological values, histopathological observation and necropsy findings were observed between SL and SL-F groups at the end of the experiment. The cry9C gene and Cry9C protein were not detected in blood, liver and muscle of chicks at 3, 5 or 7 weeks of age. The results indicate that feeding SL does not influence growth performance, health condition or physiological function in broiler chicks, and the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein are not transferred to the blood, liver and muscles of broilers.     

Piezoelectric effect of cyanoethylated hydroxyethylcellulose

The piezoelectricity of cyanoethylated hydroxyethylcellulose was investigated. Elastic, piezoelectric, and dielectric relaxations were observed at –80° to –60°C and 0° to 20°C at a frequency of 10Hz. The activation energy is about 9–15 kcal/mol in the low temperature region and about 30–45 kcal/mol at room temperature. These relaxations in the low temperature region may be caused by the motion of the cyanoethyl group and those at room temperature mostly by the motions of the main chain. Cyanoethylated hydroxyethylcellulose has a high piezoelectric strain constant (d ₂₅), which is the largest value among the cellulose derivatives and is almost the same as the value for polyvinylidene fluoride. The electromechanical coupling factor for cyanoethylated hydroxyethylcellulose was small.