Bayesian analysis of twinning and ovulation rates using a multiple-trait threshold model and Gibbs sampling

The Multiple-Trait Gibbs Sampler for Animal Models programs were extended to allow analysis of ordered categorical data using a Bayesian threshold model. The algorithm is based on data augmentation, where a value on the unobserved underlying normally distributed variable (liability) is generated in each round of iteration for each categorical observation. The programs allow analysis of several continuous and ordered categorical traits. Categorical traits can have any number of response levels. Models can be different for each trait. The programs were used to analyze twinning and ovulation rates from a herd of cattle selected for twinning rate at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. Data included number of calves born at each parturition for the lifetime of a cow and number of eggs ovulated for several estrous cycles before first breeding as heifers. A total of 6,411 calvings was recorded for 2,087 cows with 83.2% single and 16.8% multiple births. A total of 19,849 ovulations was recorded for 2,332 heifers with 85.2% single and 14.8% multiple ovulations. Mean posterior estimates of heritability and fraction of variance accounted for by permanent environmental effects (PE) were .128 and .103 for twinning rate and .168 and .079 for ovulation rate. Mean posterior estimate of genetic correlation was .808, and correlation of PE effects was .517. Use of a threshold model could allow for more rapid genetic improvement of the twinning herd through improved identification and selection of genetically superior animals because of higher heritability on the underlying scale.     

Evaluation of anti-nociceptive effects of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (NAChR) ligands in the rat tail-flick assay

In the present investigation, anti-nociceptive effects of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (NAChR) ligands, (+)- and (-)-nicotine, cytisine, methylcarbamylcholine (MCC), dimethylphenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP), and (+/-)-epibatidine were evaluated in the rat tail-flick assay both after subcutaneous (s.c.) and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration. The pharmacology of the tail-flick response to NAChR ligands after s.c. and i.c.v. routes was similar. Epibatidine was the most potent ligand examined with a longer duration of action than any other agonist. (-)-Nicotine was more active than (+)-nicotine indicating stereospecificity. ICV administration studies indicated an apparent partial agonist activity for (+)-nicotine in the tail-flick response. Tail-flick responses to NAChR agonists are independent of opioid and muscarinic pathways and appear to be mediated both by central and peripheral NAChR recognition sites. Central administration of MCC activates both NAChR and muscarinic anti-nociceptive mechanisms. Studies employing the alpha-adrenergic receptor alkylating agent, phenoxybenzamine or the noradrenergic neurotoxin, N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4), suggested that the NAChR-noradrenergic and NAChR-serotoninergic interactions play an important role in the tail-flick response. Studies employing a selective alpha-bungarotoxin-sensitive NAChR receptor antagonist, methyllycaconitine (MLA), suggested a minimal role for these receptors in the tail-flick response. The biochemical studies also indicated that a sub-population of NAChR receptors are located pre-synaptically on noradrenergic and/or serotoninergic pathways in the hippocampus.     

Factors affecting serum oxytetracycline levels in beef calves

Fifteen Aberdeen Angus steers, 295-364 kg, were dosed with either 4.4 or 11 mg of oxytetracycline hydrochloride/kg im. The antimicrobial activity of the serum was determined periodically, and the resulting data were treated statistically to determine the sources of variation. Variance in serum levels of oxytetracycline activity was attributed to dose, time of bleeding, order of dosing, animal, and assay. The total variance component was proportionately greater for the 11-mg/kg dose than for the 4.4-mg/kg dose. Animal variance increased with the higher dose level of oxytetracycline. The influence of dose on serum level was tested by applying a t test to the mean serum levels and their standard deviations at each bleeding time. The 4.4- and 11-mg/kg serum levels were significantly different (p less than 0.01) at all bleeding times. The 4.4-mg/kg serum levels mutliplied by 2.5 were not significantly different (p less than 0.05) from the 11-mg/kg serum levels at all bleeding times.     

Methylmercury: effect on serum enzymes and humoral antibody

Dosages of 20 and 10 ppm methylmercury were toxic to rabbits while 1 ppm did not produce clinical signs or death. Serum alkaline phosphatase levels were elevated in all rabbits exposed to methylmercury. Methylmercury-exposed rabbits challenged to A/PR8 influenza virus had hemagglutination inhibition titers as much as four times lower than those of controls. Histopathologic lesions were found in the cerebellum of rabbits that died. The most significant features of this study were that methylmercury chloride suppressed the humoral immune system and resulted in increased serum alkaline phosphatase levels, which may aid in diagnosis when methylmercury poisoning is suspected.     

Silicon diode detectors used in radiological physics measurements. Part II: Measurement of dosimetry data for high-energy photons

Initial calibration of a linear accelerator requires physics instruments to measure accurately central axis depth-dose and off-axis data, both in and out of the beam. These data for an 8- MeV unit were first measured using film, a Farmer 0.6-cm3 ion chamber, a 0.3-cm3 ion chamber, and a 0.1-cm3 silicon diode. Both small probes and film gave a high response compared to the Farmer probe, which has a uniform energy response. Measurements with the diode interfaced to an X-Y recorder required only a fraction of the time required with the chambers, minimizing error due to change in machine output, and permitted resolution of isodose lines in the penumbra. However, corrections required at points in depth due to nonuniform energy response of the unshielded diode were laborious. Construction of a partially shielded diode which duplicates the response of the Farmer probe eliminated the necessity for corrections, permitting rapid accumulation of a wide range of depth-dose and off-axis data.     

Effect of dietary selenium on tumor induction by an oncogenic virus

Streptokinase-streptodornase (SK-SD) induced immediate and delayed skin test reactions in a high proportion of patients with disorders in which beta-streptococcal infection may be involved. The P-K test and absorption experiments with antigen or anti-IgE suggested that the immediate reaction was mediated by specific IgE antibody against SK-SD. Furthermore, the ratio of specific IgE antibody against SK-SD to total IgE was roughly calculated to be 20 percent. Finally, the RAST technique was applied to detect specific IgE antibody against SK-SD which showed high radiocounts bound to SK-SD-coupled particles in the sera of nephrotic patients who had a strong immediate reaction against SK-SD and a severe disease state.