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Summary:We developed and validated an electronically controlled hormone-delivery device for reproductive control of cattle and demonstrated the feasibility of inducing luteal regression by automated treatment with prostaglandin F2α. On-farm use of this automated delivery system might simplify herd management, reduce animal disruption, and enable improved ovulation synchronization protocols.

The centrifuge is the gold standard for lab-based sample processing. While extremely efficient and robust, centrifuges are seldom used in the field due to the high-power requirements, size, and operational complexity. The lack of viable alternatives for remote sample collection has crippled the ability for mobile practitioners in human and animal medicine to reliably collect blood samples from their patients. There is no truly resource-independent solution that is able to perform highly efficient blood–plasma separation. Here, we describe our initial efforts in developing the High Efficiency Rapid Magnetic Erythrocyte Separator (H.E.R.M.E.S) sleeve, an apparatus that uses a magnetic bead-based separation assay in a scaled-up form factor to achieve highly efficient separation of erythrocytes from plasma within a short amount of time. The sleeve is easy-to-use, is completely resource independent, and achieves highly efficient separation in sample volumes as large as 1 mL by means of a unique mixing scheme. We demonstrate the performance of the sleeve with human blood samples and compare it against conventional end-over-end mixing.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic drastically impacted the health system and the research community. As a result, research institutions and funding agencies recommended a moratorium on conducting in-person research and study enrollment until protocol changes to protect participant safety were approved and implemented. We detail the operational modifications made to the Lupus Intervention Fatigue Trial (LIFT) protocol and summarize how we met the varied challenges created by COVID-19.

Reports that the masses of information written in human deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are being translated into the precise ones and zeros of computer code. The choices scientists make now will determine whether the genome project is a font for future discovery or a binary junkyard of data. INSET: Looking for motifs in Chromosomes; Visualizing the genome as a....

To determine the total number of Green Sturgeon Acipenser medirostrispresent in the Rogue River, Oregon, we compared plot sampling using a dual-frequency identification sonar (DIDSON), a density-based estimation technique combining the number of individuals detected and the area sampled, to a concurrent mark–recapture estimate. Using the DIDSON-based method, we estimated the total abundance of Green Sturgeon to be 223 (95% confidence interval = 180–266). The mark–recapture method resulted in an estimate of 236 individuals (150–424). The noninvasive DIDSON transect estimates resulted in tighter confidence intervals and required fewer technician hours to collect the data than did the mark–recapture method (37 h versus 232 h, respectively). Precise estimates of the abundance and distribution of Green Sturgeon are important components to species recovery and management. Thus, this new technique has the potential to greatly improve population monitoring and is an excellent tool to identify occupied habitats. Received June 9, 2014; accepted January 28, 2015

Surface-bound layers of poly(l-glutamic acid) prepared by a recently described “grafting-from” method¹ were analyzed with respect to electrical charging and structural alterations upon variation of pH and concentration of the background electrolyte in aqueous solutions. The microslit electrokinetic setup (MES)^2,3 was utilized for the combined determination of zeta potential and surface conductivity on the basis of streaming potential and streaming current measurements at polypeptide layers in contact with aqueous electrolyte solutions of varied composition. In situ ellipsometry was applied at similar samples immersed in identical aqueous solutions to investigate the influence of the solution pH on the structure of the polypeptide layers. Zeta potential and Dukhin number versus pH plots revealed the dissociation behavior of the surface-bound polypeptides indicating a significant shift of the pK of their acidic side chains correlating with the concentration of the background electrolyte potassium chloride and the related variation of the Debye screening length. Surface conductivity data pointed at a more expanded structure of the polypeptide layer in the fully dissociated state as an increased ion conductance in this part of the interface was determined. The occurrence of a strong increase of the thickness and a corresponding decrease of the refractive index for the coil state of the layer strongly supports the findings of the electrokinetic measurements. This fully reversible “switching” of the layer structure was attributed to helix−coil transitions within the grafted polypeptides induced by the dissociation of carboxylic acid functions of the polypeptide side chains. The shift of the “switching pH” of the surface-bound poly(l-glutamic acid) layers at varied concentrations of the background electrolyte was interpreted as a result of the pK shift of the carboxylic acid groups of the polypeptide side chains. The observed patterns prove that the electrostatic interactions causing this shift occur within but not between the grafted chains.

The curvature of gas–liquid interfaces and the step change in properties across these interfaces in microchannels are shown here to create a powerful lens/mirror effect. In a hydrophilic system, light incident on the bubble is focused into the surrounding liquid, resulting in a locally increased total light exposure. The optical phenomena leading to this are discussed, and the effect is demonstrated experimentally by imaging the increased photobleaching rate of fluorophores in the near-bubble region. Numerical simulations of the system are performed to investigate the electrical potential and flow fields resulting from the application of an axial electric field. Microbubble lensing-induced photobleaching (µ-BLIP) is then applied as a method to inject a negative scalar flow marker for flow visualization in microchannels. Once formed, the electrokinetic transport of this marker is analyzed to determine the cross-channel velocity profile of the liquid phase and the liquid velocity in the film. Experimental data is verified by comparison with numerical predictions and previous experimental studies. This contribution represents both a new application of microscale gas–liquid interfacial phenomena, and a new technique for microfluidic flow visualization, particularly applicable (though not limited) to the study of multiphase microchannel flows.

Electroosmotic flow is widely used as a primary method of species transport in microfluidic devices. The recent introduction of several alternating current (ac) based microfluidic applications has led to enhanced interest in time periodic electroosmotic flows. In this work, an analytical solution, via a Green's function formulation, is developed for ac electroosmotic flow through a rectangular microchannel for the case of a sinusoidal applied electric field. The response of the flow field to excitation by more complex waveforms is also investigated using numerical simulations. It is shown that the steady time periodic (after the effects of the initial impulse are dissipated) velocity profile is characterized by the ratio of the period of oscillation to the time scale for viscous diffusion, by the surface ζ-potential distribution, and by the channel aspect ratio. Impulsively started flows are also shown to exhibit interesting transient behavior resulting in a net positive velocity at the channel midpoint during the initial cycles prior to reaching the steady state oscillation. The influence of the particular excitation waveform is demonstrated to be more significant at lower frequencies since the bulk flow has more time to respond to instantaneous changes in the applied potential.

This paper investigates the electrophoretic motion of a circular cylindrical particle with hemispherical ends in a circular cylindrical microchannel filled with an aqueous electrolyte solution. The influences of three parameters on the electrophoretic motion of the particle are considered:  the ratio of the particle radius to the channel radius, a/b; the ratio of the axial length of the particle to its radius, L/a; and the ratio of the zeta potential of the channel to that of the particle, γ = ζw/ζp. It is assumed that the electrical double layers are thin, that is, κa → ∞. In the analysis, the liquid phase is divided into the inner region, which consists of the electrical double layers, and the outer region, which consists of the remainder of the liquid. A theoretical model governing the inner region and the outer region has been constructed, and a force balance on the particle surface is used to determine the particle velocity. The finite element method is employed to solve the resulting set of equations. It is found that the particle velocity in a microchannel decreases as a/b increases or as L/a increases. The particle velocity is also found to decrease linearly as γ increases. On the basis of these results, an analysis of the electrophoretic separation of particles in a microchannel is presented. It is found that circular cylindrical particles of the same zeta potential, in small circular cylindrical microchannels filled with an aqueous electrolyte solution, can be separated by size.

Surface heterogeneity is present in a variety of electrokinetic transport phenomena. It is desirable to understand the synergetic effects of the electrical double layer field and the surface heterogeneity on electrokinetic flow in microchannels. In this paper, a 3D, finite element based, numerical model for pressure-driven flow through microchannels with an arbitrary but periodic patchwise heterogeneous surface pattern has been developed. The model is based on a simultaneous solution to the Nernst−Planck, Poisson, and Navier−Stokes equations to determine the local ionic concentration, the double layer distribution, and the flow field. The presence of a heterogeneous patch is shown to induce flow in all three coordinate directions, including a circulation pattern perpendicular to the main flow axis. The strength of this circulation region is found to be proportional to Reynolds number and double layer thickness. While at low Reynolds number (i.e., Re < 1) the double layer distribution is diffusion dominated, significant convective effects are observed at higher Reynolds number leading to a deviation from the classical Poisson−Boltzmann distribution. The combined effect of the 3D flow field and disturbed double layer region on measurable quantities such as the streaming potential is discussed.

Electroosmotic flow in microfluidic systems is limited to the low Reynolds number regime. As a result species mixing in electroosmotic flow systems is inherently diffusion dominated, requiring both a long mixing channel and retention time to attain a homogeneous solution. Recent studies have shown that the introduction of oppositely charged surface heterogeneities to microchannel walls can result in regions of localized flow circulation within the bulk flow. In this study we seek to investigate these circulation regions, through 3D finite-element based numerical simulations, and then use them as a method of enhancing species mixing in a T-shaped micromixer. While all cases of surface heterogeneity are shown to enhance mixing efficiency, greater improvement is found when both the size of the heterogeneous region and the degree of heterogeneity (i.e., the difference between the heterogeneous and homogeneous ζ-potentials) are increased. In some cases the presence of heterogeneous regions is shown to reduce the required mixing channel length by as much as 70%.

Using a capillary viscometry technique, the high-shear-rate behavior of two polymer additives (an ethylene−propylene block copolymer and a radial hydrogenated styrene−isoprene copolymer) in a hydrocarbon-based oil solution has been investigated. At mass concentrations of up to 2.0% for the styrene−isoprene copolymer and 1.5% for the ethylene−propylene additive, the viscosity was measured over a range of shear rates from 10⁴ to 10⁶ s^-1. To correct for the effects of viscous heating and pressure changes, a numerical correction procedure is used which reduces the experimental results to viscosity data at a common reference temperature and pressure for comparison. Over the range of shear rates examined, the styrene−isoprene solutions exhibited typical shear-thinning behavior, becoming more dramatic at higher polymer concentrations. In addition to shear thinning at the higher shear rates, a shear-thickening region was observed in the more concentrated ethylene−propylene solutions. As the polymer concentration increased, the degree of shear thickening was shown to be more severe and the critical region was observed at lower shear rates.

The urinary bladder is lined by transitional epithelium, the glycocalyx on the luminal surface has interesting properties and is implicated in protective functions. Glycoconjugates are major components of the glycocalyx, but their biochemical nature is not well understood. Previous studies on rabbit bladder indicated the presence of significant levels of sialoglycoproteins compared to glycosaminoglycans in the epithelium. In this study, rabbit explant cultures were radiolabeled by precursor sugars or amino acids and a major lectin-reactive glycoprotein of rabbit bladder mucosa was isolated by affinity chromatography on jacalin-agarose. The radiolabeled glycoprotein was purified to homogeneity by a second cycle on the lectin column, followed by gel filtration and density gradient centrifugation. The average molecular mass of the glycoprotein was estimated to be 245 kDa and 210 kDa by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE, respectively. Its buoyant density was 1.40 g/ml, suggesting a carbohydrate content of approximately 50%. The percent distribution of glucosamine-derived tritium label in sialic acid, galactosamine, and glucosamine was 30, 52, and 18, respectively. The glycoprotein consisted entirely of small sialylated and neutral oligosaccharides O-glycosidically linked to serine and threonine residues. The same glycoprotein could be immunoprecipitated with an antibody against the carboxy terminal 17 amino acid peptide of human MUC1 mucin glycoprotein. This suggests that this mucin glycoprotein is the rabbit homolog of MUC1 glycoprotein, which has been previously established to be a component of human bladder urothelium and has been purified from human urine and biochemically characterized.

Because the accurate measurement of a number of cytokine mRNA transcripts provides valuable knowledge about cytokine gene regulation, we have developed the Xplore®assay for the quantification of cytokine mRNA. This microplate-based assay is rapid (under four hours), quantitative over three orders of magnitude and carries no risk of false-positive values from contamination with amplified target. Here, we describe the use of Xplore assays to measure the steady-state mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β produced by mouse WEHI and J774 macrophage-like cell lines.

ObjectiveTo examine time trends in neural tube defects (NTD) prevalence from 1987 to 1996 in relation to the primary prevention policies for folic acid supplementation strategies in different countries.DesignRetrospective time trends analysis of NTD prevalence.Setting11 birth defect registries of congenital malformations participating in the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Monitoring System, in the period from 1 July 1987 to 30 June 1996.Subjects8207 live births, stillbirths and terminated pregnancies affected by anencephaly or spina bifida registered by the 11 participating centres 1987-1996.Outcome measuresPrevalence rate ratios based on the annual rates, using the Poisson regression model.ResultsDuring the study period a significant fall in prevalence rates for all NTD is present in Atlanta (USA), England and Wales, Hungary and Japan, and a significant rise in Norway and South America. After adjusting for the secular trends observed in the earlier years of the study, no significant trend can be attributed to preventive strategies. Data on NTD prevalence are supplemented with information on folate awareness among some of the populations studied.ConclusionThere is no evidence that, up to the middle of 1996, any change in time trend was attributable to the introduction of national folate supplementation policies. The possible effectiveness of folate supplementation policies for the reduction of NTD clearly needs to be tried and studied for several more years. Considering that in the Western world about 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, a policy that rests on action taken before conception can only have limited success. Strategies based on food enrichment, such as was introduced in the USA from the beginning of 1998, may prove to be more successful.

Nevirapine (NVP), a non-nucleoside inhibitor of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, is concomitantly administered to patients with a variety of medications. To assess the potential for its involvement in drug interactions, cytochrome P-450 (CYP) reaction phenotyping of NVP to its four oxidative metabolites, 2-, 3-, 8-, and 12-hydroxyNVP, was performed. The NVP metabolite formation rates by characterized human hepatic microsomes were best correlated with probe activities for either CYP3A4 (2- and 12-hydroxyNVP) or CYP2B6 (3-and 8-hydroxyNVP). In studies with cDNA-expressed human hepatic CYPs, 2- and 3-hydroxyNVP were exclusively formed by CYP3A and CYP2B6, respectively. Multiple cDNA-expressed CYPs produced 8- and 12-hydroxyNVP, although they were produced predominantly by CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, respectively. Antibody to CYP3A4 inhibited the rates of 2-, 8-, and 12-hydroxyNVP formation by human hepatic microsomes, whereas antibody to CYP2B6 inhibited the formation of 3- and 8-hydroxyNVP. Studies using the CYP3A4 inhibitors ketoconazole, troleandomycin, and erythromycin suggested a role for CYP3A4 in the formation of 2-, 8-, and 12-hydroxyNVP. These inhibitors were less effective or ineffective against the biotransformation of NVP to 3-hydroxyNVP. Quinidine very weakly inhibited only 8-hydroxyNVP formation. NVP itself was an inhibitor of only CYP3A4 at concentrations that were well above those of therapeutic relevance (K(i) = 270 microM). Collectively, these data indicate that NVP is principally metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 and that it has little potential to be involved in inhibitory drug interactions.

Four nonlactating Holstein cows (593 kg) with ruminal cannulas were fed bromegrass hay that was fertilized with 0 or 89 kg of N/ha and harvested in the late-boot or full-head stage of maturity. Total tract apparent digestibility of N was less for full-head than for late-boot bromegrass (48 vs 64%; P< .01) and was greater for N-fertilized than for unfertilized bromegrass (60 vs 52%, P< .01). True N digestibility was greater (P< .01) by cows fed late-boot hay than by those fed full-head bromegrass (85 vs 81%). Maturity did not affect N retention. Nitrogen fertilization increased N retained, both grams per day (70 vs 20; P< .01) and as a percentage of N intake (P< .01). Nitrogen and amino acid disappearance kinetics were determined in situ. Rate constants for N disappearance within rapidly and slowly degraded pools were not different among treatments, but because late-boot had a larger proportion of N in the rapidly degraded pool, overall disappearance rate for N was faster (P< .05) for late-boot than for full-head bromegrass (12.0 vs 7.1 %/h). Treatment effects observed for individual amino acids were similar to those found for N. Both composition and kinetic data were needed to explain differences in N digestion and balance. Distribution of N within the forage had profound effects on the N economy of the cows.

Straw from 37 barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes was evaluated chemically to determine if the feed value of barley straw differed among genotypes and if straw nutritional quality components were associated with desirable agronomic characteristics such as grain yield, protein yield and lodging. The average estimated feed value of barley straw differed among environments and between years. Agronomic characteristics were unrelated to most straw quality components. Significant differences among barley genotypes were found for most nutritionally related quality components of barley. Straw from two-rowed genotypes in most environments generally was higher (P<.05) in feeding value than six-rowed genotypes. Straw from feed and malting barleys was similar (P>.05) in feed value. Straw from six-rowed Karl barley, a cultivar with low grain protein, was higher (P<.05) in feed-value than most other genotypes. These data indicate the genotypic selections can be made based on agronomic characteristics without affecting feed quality components.

Four rumen-cannulated, mature crossbred wethers were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment designed to examine the effects on protein metabolism of protein sources with various solubilities fed with low quality roughages. Four diets were used: (1) grass hay plus oat straw (control), (2) control plus urea, (3) control plus soybean oil meal (SBOM) and (4) control plus sunflower oil mean (SFOM). The diets were isocaloric, isofibrous and isonitrogenous (1.60% except for the control, which contained 1.09% N). The protein solubility means determined by three solvents (Burroughs' mineral mixture, McDougal's artificial saliva and sodium chloride) were 23.7, 50.5, 18.2 and 24.2% for the respective diets. The average protein solubilities of SBOM and SFOM were 20.5 and 35.4%, respectively. Apparent crude protein digestibilities were higher (P<.05) for diets with higher protein solubility. The urea diet (highest protein solubility) resulted in higher urinary N excretion (P<.05) and lower N retention than the SBOM and SFOM diets. N retention was similar for the animals fed the SBOM and SFOM diets. Ruminal NH3-N and plasma urea N levels were higher (P<.05) in animals fed the urea diet. The protein source altered VFA concentrations but not C2to C3ratios of VFA. The SBOM and SFOM produced more branched chain fatty acids. These data illustrate that protein sources of higher solubility result in higher crude protein digestion and higher N loss in the urine. N balance was similar with SFOM and SBOM. SFOM and SBOM can be used interchangeably on an equal protein basis for sheep fed high roughage diets.

Vector components of alternating electric and magnetic fields can be measured with excellent sensitivity and time resolution using a laser system employing Pockels effect or Faraday effect materials as field sensors. This technique offers the advantages of being passive and remote; the sensor material requires no power source and can be interrogated by a remotely located laser transmitter and receiver with no connecting wires or electrodes. This paper analyzes the sensitivity of the electrooptic and magnetooptic methods and derives new figures of merit for materials used as sensors in these applications. Experiments evaluating the temperature coefficients of sensitivity and demonstrating that sensitivities of 0.06 V/cm and 0.5 G can be achieved easily are described.

We describe various explosive magnetic flux compression devices that produce pulsed megagauss fields, and a number of applications in which they have been used. Among the systems described are relatively simple ones that generate fields up to 250 T in large fixed volumes, and cylindrical implosion systems that produce fields in excess of 1000 T. Small fixed volume systems are described that may be used in the laboratory. They require only small amounts of explosive and can produce 100 T fields in coils 25 mm long and 10 mm diameter. We discuss measurements made on various materials in megagauss fields, often at cryogenic temperatures, including magnetoresistance, magnetic susceptibility, optical absorption, Faraday rotation, and Zeeman splittings. We also discuss experiments in which large magnetic pressures have been used to compress solid deuterium isentropically. In flux compression devices part of the energy of the explosives is converted to electromagnetic energy. This has led to their use as compact single-shot high power energy sources. At times, it is necessary to transformer couple loads to the device outputs. We describe successful operation of transformers in 165 T fields, and suggest that they can operate in much higher fields.

Evidence was sought that the tumour promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse epidermal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, EC 4.1.1.17) activity involves both increased ODC mRNA and ODC protein. Application of 10 nmol of TPA to mouse skin led to a dramatic increase in soluble epidermal ODC activity which paralleled an increase in amount of enzymically active ODC protein as determined by gel electrophoresis of immunoprecipitated difluoromethyl[3H]ornithine-bound ODC. Application of TPA to mouse skin also resulted in an increase in ODC mRNA measured by dot-blot analysis using a radiolabelled cDNA probe. ODC mRNA induction preceded the increase in ODC activity by TPA. TPA-increased ODC mRNA displayed a single major band of 2.1 kilobases in size identified by the Northern blotting procedure.

A critical scaling method for equations of state developed by Fox at the National Bureau of Standards has been extended to predict thermodynamic properties and all of the first and second derivatives of the chemical potential and density. This is done by using a new damping function and developing expressions which avoid all numerical evaluations of the derivatives needed in calculating thermodynamic properties. Using this procedure, an analytical 32-constant equation of state was scaled in the critical region for pure light hydrocarbons and for carbon dioxide. The BWRS equation was scaled for heavier hydrocarbons. Calculations of the saturated vapor and liquid densities of methane in the region from 175 K to the critical temperature of 190.5 K were improved, and the mean absolute error decreased from 0.153 without scaling to 0.031 with scaling. Other derivative properties were also improved in the critical region for several of the lighter pure hydrocarbons.

The effects of impulsive noise exposure upon hearing sensitivity from 8 000 to 20 000 Hz were determined for a sample of 23 young military veterans. The subjects' histories consisted primarily of major incidents of weapons fire. Based on audiometric configuration, the subject sample was divided in two groups characterized by predominantly unilateral or bilateral shifts in threshold sensitivity. This division was consistent with history information. The main finding was extensive threshold shifts from 8 000 to 20 000 Hz which was highly individual-specific and unpredictable. High frequency audiometry frequently revealed extensive changes not evident in the 250 through 8 000 Hz range.

Nevirapine (I) is the first human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor to reach regulatory approval. As a result of a second generation program around the tricyclic core system of nevirapine, 2-chloro-5,11-dihydro-11-ethyl-5-methyl-8-(2-(pyridin-4-yl)ethyl)-6H-dipyrido[3,2-b:2‘,3‘-e][1,4]diazepin-6-one (II)^1a and 2-chloro-5,11-dihydro-11-ethyl-5-methyl-8-phenylethyl-6H-dipyrido[3,2-b:2‘,3‘-e][1,4]diazepin-6-one (III)^1a were identified as broad spectrum HIV-1 RT inhibitors. A detailed examination of replacing either of the methylenes of the 8-ethyl linker of II or III is presented. It was found that 8-aryloxymethyl and 8-arylthiomethyl are the preferred pattern of substitution for potency against RT. The most potent compounds were further evaluated against a panel of clinically significant mutant RT enzymes (K103N, V106A, G190A, P236L) and in cytotoxicity and in vitro metabolism assays. The most potent compound was 2-chloro-8-phenylthiomethyl analogue 37 which displayed sub-100 nM activity against all HIV-1 RT enzymes tested.

Like other nonnucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, the dipyridodiazepinone nevirapine (Viramune, 1) selects for drug resistant variants of HIV-1, both in cell culture and in patients. In particular, the mutation of residue 181 from tyrosine to cysteine (Y181C) is associated with resistance to most reported nonnucleoside inhibitors. Introduction of an arylethyl substituent at the 8-position of the tricyclic dipyridodiazepinone skeleton confers enhanced potency against Y181C RT. Several analogues of this series display good broad spectrum potency against a panel of mutant enzymes.

Ten ruminally and duodenally cannulated (326 ± 28 kg) and four esophageally fistulated (394 ± 23 kg) steers grazing cool-season pasture throughout the growing season were used to evaluate the influence of Aspergillus oryzaefermentation extract (AO) supplementation on intake, forage nutrient utilization, and duodenal amino acid flow. Steers grazed a predominately smooth brome (Bromus inermisL.) pasture, and measurements were taken in three periods (June, July, and August). Steers were dosed daily at 0700 via the ruminal cannula with AO (2 g of AO per steer daily; DM basis) or not supplemented with AO. Each period consisted of 18 d for adaption to AO and 7 d for collection. Forage N was greater, and ADF was lower (P< .10), in June than in July and August. Ruminal pH, ammonia, total VFA concentration, and VFA proportions were not affected (P> .10) by AO supplementation. In vitro DM digestibility (percentage) and forage OM intake (grams/kilogram of BW) were greater (P< .10) for steers supplemented with AO. Ruminal and total tract NDF and ADF digestibilities were lower in June and greater during July (P< .10) in steers supplemented with AO. Total tract percentage of N disappearance was lesser during June and greater (P< .10) during July for steers receiving AO. Total, essential, and nonessential amino acid flows were increased (P< .10) by both AO supplementation and advancing season. In situ rate of ruminal CP degradation was not affected (P< . 10) by treatment during any period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The growth and present stature of soybeans and soybean oil production and utilization in the world and in the USA is presented. Compositions of soybeans and soybean oil are compared with other common vegetable oils. The current and optimal processing practices of extraction, degumming, neutralization (caustic and physical), hydrogenation, and deodorization are discussed. Where appropriate, new and innovative approaches are introduced. Utilization of soybean oil is covered, followed by a historical and present view on the subject of soybean oil flavor and present and future nutritional considerations of soybean oil.

This study examined the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 on several parameters of growth, differentiation, and matrix synthesis and on the endogenous production of mRNA of bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 4 by growth plate chondrocytes in culture. Chondrocytes from resting and growth zones were obtained from rat costochondral cartilage and cultured for 24 or 48 hours in medium containing 0.05‐100 ng/ml recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 and 10% fetal bovine serum. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine, cell number, alkaline phosphatase specific activity, incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase‐digestible protein and noncollagenase‐digestible protein, and incorporation of [35S]sulfate were assayed as indicators of cell proliferation, differentiation, and extracellular matrix synthesis. mRNA levels T for bone morphogenetic proteins 2 andv4 were determined by Northern blot analysis. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 increased the incorporation of [3H]thymidine by quiescent resting‐zone and growth‐zone cells in a similar manner, whereas it had a differential effect on nonquiescent cultures. At 24 and 48 hours, 12.5‐100 ng/ml recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 caused a dose‐dependent increase in cell number and DNA synthesis in resting‐zone chondrocytes. No effect was seen in growth‐zone cell Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 stimulated alkaline phosphatase specific activity in resting‐zone chondrocytes in a bimodal manner, causing significant increases between 0.2 and 0.8 ng/ml and again between 25 and 100 ng/ml. In contrast, alkaline phosphatase specific activity in growth‐zone chondrocytes was significantly increased only between 12.5 and 100 ng/ml. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 increased the production of both collagenase‐digestible protein and noncollagenase‐digestible protein by resting‐zone and growth‐zone cells, but incorporation of [35S]sulfate was unaffected. Administration of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 also increased incorporation of [3H]uridine in both resting‐zone and growth‐zone chondrocytes; these cells produced mRNA for bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 4. Bone morphogenetic protein‐2 mRNA levels in both resting‐zone and growth‐zone chondrocytes increased in the presence of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2; however, bone morphogenetic protein‐4 mRNA levels in growth‐zone cells decreased under its influence, and those in resting‐zone cells were upregulated only with a dose of 10 ng/ml. This indicates that recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 regulates chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, and matrix production, and the effects are dependent on the stage of cell maturation. Resting‐zone chondrocytes were more sensitive, suggesting that they are targeted by bone morphogenetic protein‐2 and that this growth factor may have autocrine effects on these cells.

First results are presented from an experiment to sound the atmosphere's temperature and moisture distribution from a geostationary satellite. Sounding inferences in clear and partially cloudy conditions have the anticipated accuracy and horizontal and vertical resolutions. Most important is the preliminary indication that small but significant temporal variations of atmospheric temperature and moisture can be observed by the geostationary satellite sounder. Quantitative assessment of the accuracy and meteorological utility of this new sounding capability must await the accumulation of results over the coming months.

Summary Urinary incontinence due to urethral dysfunction can be related to urethral hypermobility (anatomic incontinence), intrinsic sphincter dysfunction (ISD), or both. Correction of ISD requires one of several procedures to increase urethral coaptation and support. Since December 1985, we have used the vaginal wall sling for most of our patients with ISD; we have found it to be a simple and effective method of increasing urethral coaptation with minimal morbidity and complications.

Four ruminally cannulated, nonlactating Holstein cows (593 kg) were fed bromegrass hay diets within a 4 × 4 Latin square. Treatments were arranged factorially and consisted of bromegrass fertilized with 0 or 89 kg N/ha and harvested in the late-boot or full-head stage of maturity. Total tract digestibility of DM (57.6 vs 51.1%), NDF (68.8 vs 63.0%), ADF (51.1 vs 46.0%) and cellulose (63.4 vs 53.5%) decreased with increasing maturity (P < .05). These forages also were placed in dacron bags for determination of in situ digestion kinetics. Rate, extent of digestion, and lag times were determined for DM and fiber components using linear regression of log-transformed data or a nonlinear fitting procedure. Treatment effects generally were consistent between methods of calculating kinetic data; however, numerical results often differed greatly. Extents of in situ ruminai digestion (72 h residue) for NDF, hemicellulose and cellulose were lower (P < .05) for full-head than for late-boot-stage bromegrass. Extent of digestion calculated using the nonlinear method followed similar trends. Nitrogen fertilization had no effect on extent or total tract digestibilities of fiber components of DM. In situ disappearance rates (calculated using both methods) for fiber fractions and DM generally were almost always affected less by maturity than by fertilization. Particles of N-fertilized bromegrass had more (P < .05) bacterial N associated with them during the first 12 h in situ than did particles of unfertilized brome. Surface area equations based on lignification of NDF accurately estimated fiber digestion and suggested that lignification was the primary reason DM and NDF digestibilities decreased with advanced maturity. Due to the relatively low DM intakes of these diets (11 kg/d), rate of passage, not rate of digestion, was of principle importance in determining extent of digestion of these diets.

The influence of prolonged treatment with serial doses of immune serum initiated either 2 or 48 h before intracutaneous challenge with Treponema pallidum on the subsequent appearance and development of lesions was studied. Whereas treatment with large doses of immune serum initiated 48 h before treponemal challenge caused a delay of 9 to 20 days in the onset of lesions and marked suppression of lesion development. Treatment initiated 2 h before treponemal challenge failed to delay the onset of lesions and only moderately suppressed their development. Lesion development was suppressed as long as treatment was continued. The significance of the results is discussed.

A finished oil is defined as that fat or oil product ready for use alone or as an ingredient without further processing. It represents the culmination, and carries the costs, of all the processing steps required to present it for use in its final desired form. The goal of finished oil handling and storage is to maintain the quality obtained through previous processing. Possible effects on quality through exposure to air, moisture, light, storage temperature, storage times, type of container, and physical movement of product are discussed. Also included will be a discussion of bulk handling of edible oil products.