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Impacts of integrated crop–livestock (ICL) systems on water quality have not been well studied. Water quality parameters were quantified for two 30‐min rainfall simulations in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–cover crop, cover crop, and rangeland grass control phases of a long‐term ICL study site in Mandan, ND, in 2017 and 2018. Both pre‐graze and post‐graze simulations were conducted. Nitrate‐N (NO3−–N), nitrite‐N (NO2−–N), ammonia‐N (NH4+–N), phosphate‐P (PO43−–P), and total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations and loads were evaluated in surface runoff water, along with concentrations of NO3−–N, NO2−–N, NH4+–N, and PO43−–P in infiltration water. Non‐parametric ranked two‐way analysis of variance was used to evaluate differences for vegetation type and grazing as fixed effects, with year as a random effect. Surface runoff concentrations of NO3−–N and NH4+–N were significantly different with cover crop and wheat phases being greater than grass. A grazing effect was also observed with pre‐graze significantly greater than post graze for NO2−–N, NH4+–N, PO43−–P, and TSS surface runoff concentrations. For infiltration water concentrations, similar significant effects of vegetation type were observed for NO3−–N and PO43−–P, while pre‐graze was also greater than post‐graze for NO2−–N and PO43−–P. Due to variable runoff volumes, no significant differences were observed for loads of any parameters. Minimal runoff volumes (0–6.7 L) and significant vegetation and grazing effects in nutrient infiltration water concentrations highlight the importance of infiltration in such studies, particularly at sites in the northern Great Plains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial forages have the potential to diversify annual crop rotations and provide yield benefits to subsequent cash crops. Little is known about the duration of and extent to which yield benefits are observed in semiarid no-till systems following perennial forages, which may depend on the perennial crop type and duration of the perennial phase. Five perennial forage and forage combinations, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; PALF), intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkw. & D.R. Dewey subsp. Intermedium; IMWG], switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.; SWG), alfalfa--intermediate wheatgrass mixture (PALF+IMWG), alfalfa--switchgrass mixture (PALF+SWG), and an annual cropping system of continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fertilized with 67 kg ha-1 of N (CWF) were evaluated for their impacts on wheat yields in a 7-yr study conducted near Mandan, ND. Wheat yields following 2 yr of alfalfa were comparable to CWF, and 3 and 4 yr of alfalfa, respectively, were 19 and 41% higher. After 5 yr of PALF+SWG, which was primarily comprised of alfalfa, wheat yields were 23% higher than CWF, and comparable to CWF after 3 and 4 yr in PALF+SWG. Four years in PALF+IMWG were needed to produce wheat yields comparable to CWF. Yield benefits persisted for up to 3 and 4 yr following 3 yr of PALF or 5 yr of PALF+IMWG, respectively. Overall, alfalfa and alfalfa--perennial grass mixtures showed the greatest promise for enhancing yields. These results indicate that a perennial phase of at least 2 yr is needed to provide yield benefits to subsequent no-till annual crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of RBC units are transfused throughout the world annually. Even though each RBC unit contains multiple foreign donor antigens, only a minority of transfusion recipients will develop detectable RBC alloantibodies. Some factors that influence humoral immune responsiveness to transfused RBCs are obvious, including the necessity of being exposed to a foreign antigen that the immune system can process and present. Mathematically, however, every RBC transfusion meets those criteria. Thus, it remains unclear why some patients form alloantibodies (‘responders’), while others may be transfused hundreds of times without becoming alloimmunised (‘non‐responders’). Studies in humans have found an association with CD4+ T‐cell markers and responsiveness to transfused RBCs, and have also identified acute or chronic inflammatory disease states as risk factors for alloantibody development. Studies in animal models, which allow single variables to be isolated, have led to an understanding of the critical role played by dendritic cells in transfusion‐associated RBC alloimmunisation. Murine studies have further established that non‐responsiveness to transfused RBCs equates to antigen‐specific tolerance in some settings: alloantibodies develop to RBCs expressing some blood group antigens only when the initial RBC exposure occurs in close association with a danger signal. Additional studies are needed in humans and in animal models to further understand the complex variables that determine when and how a humoral immune response may be initiated against transfused RBC antigens, such that strategies for preventing alloimmunisation and its harmful effects in transfusion and pregnancy scenarios can be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Many hospitals require transfusions to be discontinued when vital signs stray from predetermined ranges, regardless of clinical symptoms. Variations in vital signs may be unrelated to transfusion, however, and needlessly stopping a transfusion may delay medical care while increasing donor exposures and healthcare costs. We hypothesized that a detailed study of vital sign changes associated with transfusion of blood product by component, including those associated with potential reactions (complicated) and those deemed to be uncomplicated, would establish a useful framework of reference for treating clinicians and transfusion services alike. Materials and Methods: A retrospective electronic record review of transfusion service and transfusion recipient data was completed on 3852 inpatient transfusion episodes over a 6‐month period at four academic tertiary care hospitals across the United States. Vital signs pre‐ and post‐transfusion were recorded by trained clinical research nurses. Serious reactions were adjudicated by a panel of transfusion medicine experts. Results: In both uncomplicated transfusions (n = 3765) and those including an adverse reaction (n = 87), vital sign fluctuations were generally modest. Compared to uncomplicated transfusions, transfusions complicated by febrile reactions were associated with higher pretransfusion temperature and higher pretransfusion pulse rates. Episodes of transfusion circulatory overload were associated with higher pretransfusion respiration rates compared to uncomplicated transfusions. Conclusion: Most transfusions are associated with only modest changes in vital signs. Pretransfusion vital signs may be an important yet previously understudied predictor of vital sign changes during transfusion. The optimal role of vital sign assessment during blood transfusion deserves further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of perennial forages in annual cropping systems can expand ecosystem service benefits to agricultural landscapes. Such benefits are frequently derived from changes to soil properties. Unfortunately, there is limited guidance for agricultural producers regarding the length of time needed to accrue soil condition improvements under perennial forages, particularly for semiarid regions. The objective of this study was to quantify soil responses to perennial grasses, legumes, and grass–legume mixtures over a 5-yr year period in a semiarid region. Select soil physical and chemical properties were measured within five perennial forage treatments and under annual cropping over a 5-yr period on a Parshall fine sandy loam near Mandan, ND. Treatment effects on soil properties were limited to the surface 10 cm. Differences in soil properties between spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and perennial forages were most frequent following the fourth stand year. Compared with spring wheat, perennial forages mitigated soil acidification (by 0.26–0.65 pH units), reduced soil bulk density (by 0.04–0.08 Mg m–3), and increased particulate organic matter (POM) (by 0.41 g C kg–1) and water-stable aggregates (by 3.8%). Among perennial forages, intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium L.) and intermediate wheatgrass–field pea (Pisum sativum L) mixture followed by alfalfa (Medicago spp.) reduced soil bulk density (by 0.06–0.11 Mg m–3) and increased POM (by 0.24–0.92 g C kg–1) compared with alfalfa following 4- and 5-yr perennial forage stands. While these outcomes suggest perennial forages can improve the near-surface soil condition, accrual of improvements may be slow and subtle in semiarid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing efficient, economical methods of perennial mixture establishment is needed for grazing and conservation purposes. Study objectives were to evaluate different perennial monocultures and mixtures planted into spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), dry pea (Pisum sativum L.), and spring canola (Brassica napus subsp. Rapifera) residue to determine establishment and subsequent production variation near Mandan, ND. Perennial treatments were two monocultures, binary mixtures (grass + legume), a warmseason moderate-input moderate diversity (MIMD) grass mixture, a cool-season MIMD grass mixture, and a low-input high diversity (LIHD) mixture consisting of 16 native species. Seeding rate was 450 pure live seed (PLS) m-2 for all perennial treatments and were managed according to best management practices. Stand establishment, measured using the frequency grid method, indicated perennial treatments established into soybean residue had the highest stand frequency (59%). Cool-season grass treatments tended to have higher stand frequencies than warm-season grass treatments and LIHD. Biomass yields were highest for intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey] (8.2 ± 1.2 Mg ha-1). Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) produced the highest average biomass yield of the warm-season grass treatments with 6.7 ± 1.2 Mg ha-1. The LIHD mixture was primarily cool-season grasses followed by weeds, warm-season grasses, and forb/legumes. This study highlights how transitioning from an annual cropping system to perennials can be influenced by the previous annual crop in a semiarid environment. Further research on establishing diverse, pollinator-friendly perennial mixtures following annual crops is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We hypothesized that diagnoses may be associated with alloantibody 'responder' status and examined associations between disease states and alloimmunization. Patients with ≥1 alloantibody and non-alloimmunized controls were analysed. Pearson's coefficients were calculated to determine associations between alloimmunization and diseases; significant correlations were selected to construct a network. Inflammatory disorders and diseases requiring chronic transfusion support were associated with responder status. Mitigation steps may be considered in patients with these disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The concordance of haemovigilance criteria developed for surveillance of transfusion-associated circulatory overload ( TACO) with its clinical diagnosis has not been assessed. In a pilot study to evaluate an electronic screening algorithm, we sought to examine TACO incidence and application of haemovigilance criteria in patients with post-transfusion pulmonary oedema. Study Design and Methods From June to September 2014, all transfused adult inpatients at four academic hospitals were screened with an algorithm identifying chest radiographs ordered within 12 h of blood component release. Patients with post-transfusion pulmonary oedema underwent case adjudication by an expert panel. TACO incidence was calculated, and clinical characteristics were compared with other causes of post-transfusion pulmonary oedema. Results Among 4932 transfused patients, there were 3412 algorithm alerts, 50 cases of TACO and 47 other causes of pulmonary oedema. TACO incidence was 1 case per 100 patients transfused. TACO classification based on two sets of haemovigilance criteria (National Healthcare Safety Network and proposed revised International Society for Blood Transfusion) was concordant with expert panel diagnosis in 57% and 54% of reviewed cases, respectively. Although the majority of clinical parameters did not differentiate expert panel adjudicated TACO from other cases, improved oxygenation within 24 h of transfusion did ( P = 0·01). Conclusions The incidence of TACO was similar to that observed in prior studies utilizing active surveillance. Case classification by haemovigilance criteria was frequently discordant with clinical diagnoses of TACO in patients with post-transfusion pulmonary oedema. Improvements in oxygenation within 24 h of transfusion merit further evaluation in the diagnosis of TACO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Fetuses affected by maternal RBC alloantibodies may have prolonged anaemia after birth, leading one to question whether maternal alloantibody transfer may occur outside the placenta. In response to a recent publication describing breast milk transfer of clinically significant amounts of maternal antiplatelet IgA antibodies from mother to nursing infant, we hypothesized that maternal RBC alloantibodies may also be capable of being transferred in breast milk. Materials and Methods The presence and clinical significance of breast milk alloantibody transfer were tested through a series of pregnancy, fostering and transfusion experiments, using a murine model in which transgenic RBCs express the human KEL glycoprotein. Results Maternal anti- KEL immunoglobulins, induced through transfusion or pregnancy, were detected in the aqueous phase of breast milk. Further, efficient transfer of maternal anti- KEL IgG and IgA to nursing pups was observed in fostering experiments. The breast milk-acquired alloantibodies were clinically significant in wild-type pups in a transfusion setting, binding to 'incompatible' KEL RBCs and leading to premature clearance from the circulation. Although breast milk-acquired alloantibodies also bound to the RBCs of transgenic KEL-positive fostered pups, no anaemia resulted. Conclusions Taking these murine data in combination with recently published human data of maternal antiplatelet IgA antibodies in breast milk leading to sequelae in some infants, it is theoretically possible that maternal anti- RBC IgA alloantibodies may also be transferred in human breast milk and may lead to sequelae in some infants under some circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives One of the challenges surrounding blood component administration is the determination of an appropriate rate of infusion. There are very few evidence-based guidelines available to guide healthcare providers looking for a 'standard' infusion rate for red blood cells ( RBCs), plasma or platelets ( PLTs). Our objective was to determine the extent to which blood component infusion rates were associated with changes in transfusion recipient vital signs. Materials and Methods We retrospectively examined records of 3496 component infusions ( RBCs, n = 2359; PLTs, n = 478; plasma, n = 659) over a 1-year period at a 362-bed multispecialty hospital. The following data were collected for each transfusion: blood product volume and infusion time, recipient pre- and post-transfusion temperature, blood pressure and pulse rate, and hospital ward where transfusion occurred. Results Plasma (median 10·4 ml/min) was infused faster than PLTs (median 7·2 ml/min, P < 0·0001) or RBCs (median 2·3 ml/min, P < 0·0001). For all blood components, infusion rates varied based on the hospital unit performing the infusion. No association was found between relatively fast RBC, plasma or PLT infusion rates (>20 ml/min) and clinically significant reported changes in vital signs. Conclusions There does not appear to be a strong correlation between infusion rate and significant changes in recipient temperature, blood pressure or pulse rate. Based on these data, a reasonable rate for routine transfusion is 2-3 ml/min for RBCs and 7-10 ml/min for plasma and PLTs. Faster infusion rates (>20 ml/min) likely can be applied with close patient monitoring if there is a more urgent need for transfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover crops can expand ecosystem services, though sound management recommendations for their use within semiarid cropping systems is currently constrained by a lack of information. This study was conducted to determine agroecosystem responses to late-summer seeded cover crops under no-till management, with particular emphasis on soil attributes. Short-term effects of late-summer seeded cover crops on soil water, available N, near-surface soil quality, and residue cover were investigated during three consecutive years on the Area IV Soil Conservation Districts Research Farm near Mandan, ND. Mean aboveground cover crop biomass was highly variable across years (1430, 96, and 937 kg ha-1 in 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively), and was strongly affected by precipitation received within 14 d following cover crop seeding. During years with appreciable biomass production (2008 and 2010), cover crops significantly reduced available N in the 0.9-m depth the following spring (P = 0.0291 and 0.0464, respectively). Cover crop effects on soil water were subtle, and no differences in soil water were found between cover crop treatments and a no cover crop control before seeding cash crops the following spring. Late-summer seeded cover crops did not affect near-surface soil properties or soil coverage by residue. Soil responses to late-summer seeded cover crops did not differ between cover crop mixtures and monocultures. Late-summer seeded cover crops may enhance ecosystem services provided by semiarid cropping systems through biomass production and N conservation, though achieving these benefits in a consistent manner appears dependent on timely precipitation following cover crop seeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) can influence vegetation dynamics and landscape hydrology by altering soil properties, yet few studies have evaluated soil responses to prairie dog activities across a range of soil types. This study was conducted to quantify prairie dog effects on soil properties within three unique ecological sites differing in soil and landscape attributes on a 1400 ha ranch near McLaughlin, SD. Soil properties and infiltration rate were evaluated within thin claypan, loamy, and shallow loamy ecological sites corresponding to footslope, backslope, and summit-shoulder landscape positions, respectively. Prairie dog activity was found to influence soil properties similarly across ecological sites. Prairie dog activity contributed to considerable soil heterogeneity, with on-mound areas characterized as acidified, nutrient "hot spots" compared with off-mound areas. On-mound areas possessed faster infiltration rates than off-mound areas within loamy and shallow loamy ecological sites. Soil organic C was greater in on-mound areas compared with off-mound areas, but only at intermediate depths (10 to 30 cm). Results from this study suggest postextirpation restoration efforts should consider soil heterogeneity induced by prairie dog activity within and across ecological sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging data in animal models and humans suggest that pathogen-associated and damage-associated molecular patterns variably impact RBC alloantibody formation. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that vaccinations may enhance immune responses to transfused RBCs. The Pneumovax23 vaccine decreased the magnitude of anti- KEL alloimmunization in a murine model, whereas the hepB vaccine did not impact the response; RBC transfusion did not alter immune responses to either vaccine. These data highlight the complexities of the intersection of innate and adaptive immunity and suggest that future studies investigating the pathways through which inflammation impacts alloimmunization are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appaloosa horses are predisposed to equine recurrent uveitis ( ERU), an immune-mediated disease characterized by recurring inflammation of the uveal tract in the eye, which is the leading cause of blindness in horses. Nine genetic markers from the ECA1 region responsible for the spotted coat color of Appaloosa horses, and 13 microsatellites spanning the equine major histocompatibility complex ( ELA) on ECA20, were evaluated for association with ERU in a group of 53 Appaloosa ERU cases and 43 healthy Appaloosa controls. Three markers were significantly associated (corrected P-value <0.05): a SNP within intron 11 of the TRPM1 gene on ECA1, an ELA class I microsatellite located near the boundary of the ELA class III and class II regions and an ELA class II microsatellite located in intron 1 of the DRA gene. Association between these three genetic markers and the ERU phenotype was confirmed in a second population of 24 insidious ERU Appaloosa cases and 16 Appaloosa controls. The relative odds of being an ERU case for each allele of these three markers were estimated by fitting a logistic mixed model with each of the associated markers independently and with all three markers simultaneously. The risk model using these markers classified ~80% of ERU cases and 75% of controls in the second population as moderate or high risk, and low risk respectively. Future studies to refine the associations at ECA1 and ELA loci and identify functional variants could uncover alleles conferring susceptibility to ERU in Appaloosa horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Transfusion of allogeneic platelet products can result in antibodies against donor major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I antigens, leading to a refractory state to subsequent platelet transfusions. However, there is disagreement in the field regarding the molecular mechanisms of humoral alloimmunization. One hypothesis states that donor MHC II is a requirement for alloimmunization. However, other studies have suggested that donor MHC I is alone sufficient and MHC II is not required. Materials and Methods We utilized a mouse model of anti-MHC I alloimmunization to transfused blood, which employed donors with a complete deletion of all MHC II genes. BALB/c (H-2d) recipients were transfused with blood from either C57BL/6 (H-2b) or MHC II null donors on a C57BL/6 background. Anti-MHC I alloimmunization was monitored by indirect immunofluorescence. Results Recipients of either wild type or MHC II null blood produced equivalent humoral responses against donor MHC I antigens. However, there was variation in the relative amounts of IgG subclasses. Conclusion These data reject the hypothesis that donor MHC II expression is required for alloimmunization to MHC I antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mice provide tractable animal models for studying the pathophysiology of various human disorders. This review discusses the use of mouse models for understanding red-blood-cell (RBC) clearance. These models provide important insights into the pathophysiology of various clinically relevant entities, such as autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, haemolytic transfusion reactions, other complications of RBC transfusions and immunomodulation by Rh immune globulin therapy. Mouse models of both antibody- and non-antibody-mediated RBC clearance are reviewed. Approaches for exploring unanswered questions in transfusion medicine using these models are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents questions and answers related to blood donation including improved blood safety measures, irradiation guidelines for neonatal transfusion and recommendations for any pathogen-inactivated types of blood components.

To determine the chromosomal locations for genes expressed in porcine Peyer's patches, polymerase chain reaction-based mapping of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) isolated from a porcine Peyer's patch-specific cDNA library was performed across a 6500-rad swine radiation hybrid panel. A total of 116 ESTs were mapped with LOD scores >6.0, and another 11 ESTs had LOD scores between 5.0 and 6.0. Of these 127 ESTs, 63% matched known genes (

This article discusses radiation hybrid and comparative mapping of 83 canine brain expressed sequence tags (ESTs). The canine brain ESTs were compared with sequences in the NCBI database with BLAST to find matches to putative orthologous human genes. The human gene locus with the most significant match to each canine ESTs is provided in the article. Three of the eight unlinked canine ESTs were putative orthologues of human X chromosome genes. Amplicons for the six ESTs for which the canine assignment was to an unexpected chromosome were sequenced to confirm their identity.

This article reviews recent medical research on the relationship between young maternal age and the incidence of low birth weight infants. One line of research, 'nature,' emphasizes biological factors in early adolescence such as immaturity of the female reproductive system and inadequate prenatal weight gain. 'Nurture,' another research focus, stresses sociocultural attributes of teen mothers such as poverty and minority status. Young maternal age alone does not explain the higher rates of low birth weight infants born to adolescent females. Both biological and sociocultural factors, plus lifestyle choices made by adolescents, combine to raise or lower the risk of delivering a low birth weight infant. School health personnel need to link their health promotion efforts to those of other community organizations serving adolescents and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Performance of a clinical prediction score for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in an independent cohort" by M. J. Bentley and colleagues published in a previous issue of the periodical.

The article discusses issues related to radiation hybrid and comparative mapping of 38 canine heart expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Random clones from a cDNA library constructed from the right and left atria and ventricles of two mixed breed dogs were sequenced and annotated. Sequences chosen for RH mapping were contigs assembled from two or more individual ESTs from this library. Accession number(s) used to identify primers for polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA are provided in the article. Statistical analysis for placement of each EST marker was performed by two-point linkage analysis in a two-step process with the Multimap software.

An error was made in the calculation of the photonic crystal mode volume. Fixing this error increases our mode volume by a factor of 2 and makes our claim of highest Q/ V invalid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]