Genetic evaluation of Canadian dairy bulls for milking speed with an animal model

Bull proofs for milking speed were computed under an animal model for five dairy breeds. Data were subjective scores on first lactation cows from all milk recording agencies across Canada. There were 1411 Holstein, 171 Ayrshire, 85 Jersey, 31 Guernsey, and 17 Brown Swiss bulls that received official evaluations. Bull proofs were expressed on a linear scale from 1 to 9, where 9 designated bulls with the fastest milking daughters. The biological significance of these proofs was investigated using 6965 weekly cow records of total milking time, average flow rate, and peak flow. Data were on 119 Holstein cows by 41 officially proven sires. increases in proofs of 1 point on the linear scale were associated with decreases in total milking time of 20 s and increases of 64 g min-1 and 140 g in average and peak flow, respectively.</p

Adjustment Factors and Genetic Evaluation for Somatic Cell Score and Relationships with Other Traits of Canadian Holsteins

Test day SCC records were obtained from the Ontario DHI and converted to somatic cell score using a logarithmic transformation. Adjustment factors for stage of lactation and calendar month were obtained for first and later lactations. Effects of stage of lactation were significant and followed a systematic pattern. Seasonal effects were small. Sire estimated breeding values for lactation mean adjusted test day somatic cell scores were obtained from an animal model based on first, later, and all lactations, assuming a heritability of .11 and repeatability of .27. Mean accuracy of estimated breeding values for sires with at least 30 daughters was .64 for first lactation, .76 for second to fifth, and .86 for all lactations. Genetic trends for somatic cell score were not significant. The correlation of breeding values estimated from first lactations with estimates based on later lactations was .62 for sires with at least 50 daughters, which resulted in an approximate genetic correlation of .72. Correlations of sire estimated breeding values for somatic cell score from first lactation with estimated breeding values for milk, fat, protein, fat percentage, protein percentage, and milking speed were .12, .05, .11, -.09, -.02, and .20. Coffelations between sire estimated breeding values for somatic cell score and type traits were generally small, but favorable with mammary system, -.13, and fore udder, -.16, and unfavorable with dairy character, .24. Somatic cell score should be considered as an auxiliary trait in dairy cattle breeding programs.</p

Estimation of heritability in the base population when only records from later generations are available

International audienc

A canadian field test of finnish ayrshires: growth and reproductive performance

International audienc

Regulation of Hemolysin Expression and Virulence of Staphylococcus aureus by a Serine/Threonine Kinase and Phosphatase

Exotoxins, including the hemolysins known as the alpha (α) and beta (β) toxins, play an important role in the pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus infections. A random transposon library was screened for S. aureus mutants exhibiting altered hemolysin expression compared to wild type. Transposon insertions in 72 genes resulting in increased or decreased hemolysin expression were identified. Mutations inactivating a putative cyclic di-GMP synthetase and a serine/threonine phosphatase (Stp1) were found to reduce hemolysin expression, and mutations in genes encoding a two component regulator PhoR, LysR family transcriptional regulator, purine biosynthetic enzymes and a serine/threonine kinase (Stk1) increased expression. Transcription of the hla gene encoding α toxin was decreased in a Δstp1 mutant strain and increased in a Δstk1 strain. Microarray analysis of a Δstk1 mutant revealed increased transcription of additional exotoxins. A Δstp1 strain is severely attenuated for virulence in mice and elicits less inflammation and IL-6 production than the Δstk1 strain. In vivo phosphopeptide enrichment and mass spectrometric analysis revealed that threonine phosphorylated peptides corresponding to Stk1, DNA binding histone like protein (HU), serine-aspartate rich fibrinogen/bone sialoprotein binding protein (SdrE) and a hypothetical protein (NWMN_1123) were present in the wild type and not in the Δstk1 mutant. Collectively, these studies suggest that Stk1 mediated phosphorylation of HU, SrdE and NWMN_1123 affects S. aureus gene expression and virulence

Identifying the participant characteristics that predict recruitment and retention of participants to randomised controlled trials involving children : a systematic review

Background Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are recommended as the ‘gold standard’ in evaluating health care interventions. The conduct of RCTs is often impacted by difficulties surrounding recruitment and retention of participants in both adult and child populations. Factors influencing recruitment and retention of children to RCTs can be more complex than in adults. There is little synthesised evidence of what influences participation in research involving parents and children. Aim To identify predictors of recruitment and retention in RCTs involving children. Methods A systematic review of RCTs was conducted to synthesise the available evidence. An electronic search strategy was applied to four databases and restricted to English language publications. Quantitative studies reporting participant predictors of recruitment and retention in RCTs involving children aged 0–12 were identified. Data was extracted and synthesised narratively. Quality assessment of articles was conducted using a structured tool developed from two existing quality evaluation checklists. Results Twenty-eight studies were included in the review. Of the 154 participant factors reported, 66 were found to be significant predictors of recruitment and retention in at least one study. These were classified as parent, child, family and neighbourhood characteristics. Parent characteristics (e.g. ethnicity, age, education, socioeconomic status (SES)) were the most commonly reported predictors of participation for both recruitment and retention. Being young, less educated, of an ethnic minority and having low SES appear to be barriers to participation in RCTs although there was little agreement between studies. When analysed according to setting and severity of the child’s illness there appeared to be little variation between groups. The quality of the studies varied. Articles adhered well to reporting guidelines around provision of a scientific rationale for the study and background information as well as displaying good internal consistency of results. However, few studies discussed the external validity of the results or provided recommendations for future research. Conclusion Parent characteristics may predict participation of children and their families to RCTs; however, there was a lack of consensus. Whilst sociodemographic variables may be useful in identifying which groups are least likely to participate they do not provide insight into the processes and barriers to participation for children and families. Further studies that explore variables that can be influenced are warranted. Reporting of studies in this field need greater clarity as well as agreed definitions of what is meant by retention

Estimation of heritability in the base population when only records from later generations are available

International audienc