An Investigation of Polymorphism in <i>SMO</i>and <i>LMF</i>1 Genes and Their Association with Body Size in White Fulani and Muturu Cattle Breeds

Cattle production is integral to the people of Africa and her economy. To improve cattle productivity, there is a need to inculcate molecular marker-assisted selection into current breeding practices. In this study, we investigated, in White Fulani and Muturu cattle breeds, polymorphism of two candidate genes (Smoothened—SMO and Lipase Maturation Factor 1—LMF1) that have been reported to influence body size in cattle. The SMO gene encodes for the SMO (smoothened) receptor protein;a membrane signal transducer that plays a role in the control of bone formation and adipogenesis. LMF1 encodes for the LMF1 protein which regulates post-translational maturation of vascular lipases. Desired regions of the genes were amplified and genotyped by direct DNA sequencing or Polymerase chain reaction—Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. For association study, linear body measurements traits (BMTs) that can be used to predict body size were measured on each animal and values of BMTs measured were compared between both breeds. Very significant (P < 0.001) differences, in favour of White Fulani, were observed for all the BMTs compared. Six (6) previously reported SNP (G21234C, C22424T and C22481T, T22939C, C23329T and T23458G) were found on the SMO while LMF1 was monomorphic at the expected (T > C) exon 4 mutation site. Association analysis revealed that polymorphism on G21234C, C22424T, T22939C and T23458G loci significantly affected BMTs (P < 0.05 or 0.01) in both cattle breeds. The outcome of this study showed that SMO gene could be a useful candidate gene to facilitate marker assisted selection for body size while LMF1 is monomorphic in the cattle breeds.

Effect Factors on Measurement Precision of the Embedded Temperature Sensing Fabric

The embedded temperature sensing fabric was designed and woven according to the heat transmission model of the fabric.The temperature sensors were embedded into the multi-layered fabric that weft yarns were high-shrinkage polyester filaments.And the fabric was treated by a self-designed partial heat device,which can make the sensor be fixed in the fabric.The effects of yarn type,yarn linear density,fabric warp density,fabric structure,fabric layer numbers where the sensor is located,and the ambient temperature on the temperature measured value were investigated.The results demonstrated that when the higher thermal conductivity of yarns and lower density yarns were applied in the fabric as rawmaterials,they were favored to improve the measurement precision.Meanwhile,there were many factors that could make the measured values closer to the real value of the body,such as the plain fabric,the increased warp density of the fabric,the multiple-layer fabric where the sensor was located,the raised ambient testing temperature and the prolonged test time in the certain range.

Growth and Development Analysis of Kongshan Cattle

[Objectives]In order to better understand the performance of Kongshan cattle,their growth and development was analyzed.[Methods]The body weights of 106 kongshan cattle at different month ages were measured,and the growth curves and body measurement indices of Kongshan cattle after one year old were analyzed by SPPS18.0.[Results]Kongshan cattle have good body shape.Compared with 1985,the performance of body measurements and weight was improved significantly;and the body measurements and body weight of Kongshan cattle increased significantly after 24 months old,indicating that Kongshan cattle still have good fattening performance in adulthood.[Conclusions]This study analyzed the growth and development laws of Kongshan cattle and the status quo of the population,and will provide some help for the selection and utilization of Kongshan cattle breed more intuitively.

Pattern of Development in Foals from Four Different Breeds between Birth and Weaning

Several studies have shown a major development in height and cannon bone circumference in foals from birth to weaning and from different breeds. However, in Brazil, there is little information about foal development. For this reason, this study has used data on foals from seven different farms in Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, where horses have a major economic importance. The aim of this study was to compare foal’s development from four breeds and to develop a regression formula in order to estimate such development. It was used data from 210 suckling foals (Arabians n = 18, Campolina n = 86, Mangalarga Marchador n = 42 and Quarter Horses n = 64), raised in similar management practices. Their height at withers, heart girth, and cannon bone girth were measured monthly from birth to weaning. Data we reanalyzed by ANOVA and Tukey Test, with P established in 5%. The highest mean of height at withers was observed in the Arabian foals, and it was similar to Campolina and Mangalarga Marchador foals. The last breed presented a higher percentage of gain in height (~36%) and higher heart girth. On the other hand, Campolina foals had the highest mean of cannon bone girth. There was a significant interaction between breed and development phase in heart and cannon bone girths. All regression for mulas obtained from this data was very significant, and it was showed that they can predict height at withers in the four breeds studied. Heart and cannon bone girths showed medium value of R2 and large significance. It is important to highlight that fetal programing produces significant impact on foal development, even after weaning. So, this study would have observed some more changes if its scope had been extended beyond this phase.

Growth Performance of Arsi, Borana, Harar and HF-Crossbred Bulls Finished under Similar Feeding Condition

The study was conducted to evaluate the fattening performance of Arsi, Borana, Harar and Holstein Friesian crossbred bulls finished under a similar feeding condition at the beef farm in Haramaya University. The average daily weight gain of the four breeds ranges from 0.49 to 0.71 kg. Feed conversion efficiency also ranges from 0.11 - 0.15. Simple linear regression models were used to explore the relationship between live body weight change and change in body condition score as well as seven linear body measurements for all age groups. An average change for a unite of body condition score was equivalent to 20.3, 20.61, 22.42 and 27.78 kg for Borana, Arsi, Harar and Holstein Friesian crossbred bulls respectively. Body condition score was significantly influenced by breeds. There was a significant breed by age interaction effect on the initial body condition score of the four breeds. There was a significant and positive strong association between change in body weight and body condition score. There was a significant and strong correlation between change in body weight and change in Total topline, neck length, heart girth, flank circumference and rump length having correlation coefficients ranges from 0.57 to 0.97. A higher net profit of 7380.47 ETB per head was recorded by Borana bulls followed by Harar bulls, Arsi and Holstein Friesian crossbred with net profit of 5406.86, 5193.29 and 3384.98 ETB per head respectively. Borana bulls are more superior in weight gain and net profit. Bodyweight change could be predicted based on body condition score change during the fattening period.

A correlation analysis of BroselowTM Pediatric Emergency Tape-determined pediatric weight with actual pediatric weight in India

BACKGROUND:The Broselow?Pediatric Emergency Tape indicates standardized,precalculated medication doses,dose delivery volumes,and equipment sizes using color-coded zones based on height-weight correlations.The present study attempted to provide more evidence on the effectiveness of the Broselow?Pediatric Emergency Tape by comparing the tape-estimated weights with actual weights.We hypothesized that the Broselow?Pediatric Emergency Tape would overestimate weights in Indian children aged<10 years,leading to inaccurate dosing and equipment sizing in the emergency setting.METHODS:This prospective study of pediatric patients aged<10 years who were divided into three groups based on actual body weight:<10 kg,10–18 kg,and>18 kg.We calculated the percentage difference between the Broselow-predicted weight and the measured weight as a measure of tape bias.Concordant results were those with a mean percent difference within 3%.Standard deviation was measured to determine precision.Accuracy was determined as color-coded zone prediction and measured weight concordance,including the percentage overestimation by 1–2 zones.RESULTS:The male-to-female ratio of the patients was 1.3:1.Total agreement between colorcoding was 63.18%(κ=0.582).The Broselow?color-coded zone agreement was 74.8%in the<10kg group,61.24%in the 10–18 kg group,and 53.42%in the>18 kg group.CONCLUSIONS:The Broselow?Pediatric Emergency Tape showed good evidence for being more reliable in children of the<10 kg and 10–18 kg groups.However,as pediatric weight increased,predictive reliability decreased.This raises concerns over the use of the Broselow?Pediatric Emergency Tape in Indian children because body weight was overestimated in those weighing>18 kg.

Phantom of Human Adipose Tissue and Studies of Light Propagation and Light Absorption for Parameterization and Evaluation of Noninvasive Optical Fat Measuring Devices

A method for noninvasive determination of fat and water content in the human body is examined. A spatially resolved spectroscopy method is used which can record low intensity near infrared spectra. This novel approach is compared to other methods for the determination of fat and water content. Monte Carlo simulations of light propagation in tissue are shown and the production and characterization of optical phantoms of adipose tissue are investigated.

Study on body temperature detection of pig based on infrared technology: A review

Body temperature is an important physiological indicator in the whole process of pig breeding.Temperature measurement is also an effective means to assist in disease diagnosis and pig health monitoring.In the conventional method of measuring body temperature,a mercury column is used to obtain the rectal temperature.The operation of thismethod is complicated and requires a large amount of labor.This kind of temperature measurement method is contact and canmake the pig stressed,which is disadvantageous for the healthy growth of pigs.Therefore,rectal temperaturemeasurement no longer meets the needs of the large-scale pig industry in China's welfare agriculture.In recent years,the emerging pig body temperature detection technologies are electronic temperaturemeasurement technology,infrared temperature measurement technology and so on.Infrared temperature measurement technology has been the main means of measuring the temperature of pig body surface with its advantages of non-contact,long distance and real-time.At present,infrared temperature measurement technology and infrared image processing technology used in pig breeding are still in the exploration stage.Nowadays,the infrared temperature measurement equipment based on point-by-point analysis represented by infrared thermometer and temperature measurement equipment based on full-field analysis represented by infrared thermal imager have been applied to pig breeding industry.These types of temperaturemeasurement are more in line with the needs of the pig breeding industry to transform and upgrade to the automation,in line with the development concept of welfare farming and smart agriculture,and its development prospects are very impressive.

HbA_(1C) as a Biomarker of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Comparison with Anthropometric Parameters

Background and Aims:Multiple non-invasive methods including radiological,anthropometric and biochemical markers have been reported with variable performance.The present study assessed glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1C)as a biomarker to predict non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and its severity,compared with body mass index(BMI),waist to hip ratio(WHR)and waist circumference(WC)Methods:This case control study included 450 individuals,including 150 cases and 300 age-and gender-matched controls recruited from the Dow Radiology Institute on the basis of radiological findings of fatty infiltration on abdominal ultrasound through convenient sampling.BMI,WHR and WC were measured according to standard protocols.HbA1C was determined by turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay Results:Among the cases and controls,66%and 32%had HbA1C levels higher than 5.7%respectively.HbA1C and BMI were significantly associated with NAFLD[crude odds ratio(cOR)=4.12,2.88,2.25(overweight)and 4.32(obese)].WC was found to be significantly associated with NAFLD for both genders(cOR in males=5.50 and females=5.79,p<0.01).After adjustment for other parameters,HbA1C and WC were found to be significantly associated with NAFLD(aOR=3.40,p<0.001)along with WC in males(aOR=2.91,p<0.05)and in females(aOR=4.28,p<0.05).A significant rise in severity of hepatic steatosis was noted with increases in HbA1C,BMI and WC.HbA1C possessed a positive predictive value of 76%for the study population[0.76,confidence interval(CI):0.715-0.809],70.6%for males(0.706,CI:0.629-0.783)and 80%for females(0.80,CI:0.741-0.858).Conclusions:Higher than normal HbA1C and WC measurements possess a more than 70%potential to predict NAFLD.It is the single risk factor that is strongly associated with NAFLD after adjustment for indices of body measurements.HbA1C may be presented as a potential biomarker for NAFLD in examination with other anthropometric measures in the adult population.