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Biomedical subjects

D D Johnson

Publications and source records attributed to D D Johnson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Effects of energy and protein supplementation of ammoniated tropical grass hay on the growth and carcass characteristics of cull cows.

Laboratory, digestion and growth studies were used to evaluate energy and protein supplements for ammoniated (4% of the forage DM) stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis) hay. Ammoniation increased (P less than .05) total N concentration (.7 to .9% vs 1.7 to 2.0%) and in vitro digestion of OM, NDF and ADF and reduced (P less than .05) NDF concentration of stargrass hay. Two digestion (3 x 3 Latin square, 250-kg steers) and two growth (400-kg Brahman crossbred cull cows, eight head per pasture, two pastures per treatment, November through February) trials evaluated citrus pulp or liquid cane molasses (Trial 1) and molasses or molasses plus cottonseed meal (Trial 2) supplementation of ammoniated hay. Supplementation with byproduct energy sources, citrus pulp or molasses (either alone or with cottonseed meal), improved (P less than .05) OM digestibility but reduced (P less than .05) NDF and ADF digestibilities. Apparent nutrient digestibilities were similar (P greater than .05) between diets supplemented with citrus pulp and molasses and between diets supplemented with molasses and molasses plus cottonseed meal. In Trial 1, ADG by cull cows was greater (P less than .05) for citrus pulp- (.71 kg) or molasses-(.68 kg) supplemented diets than for hay fed alone (.49 kg). In Trial ADG was greater (P less than .05) for cull cows fed ammoniated hay supplemented with molasses plus cottonseed meal (.85 kg) than for those supplemented with molasses only (.69 kg). Feeding cows over the winter increased their (P less than .05) carcass weight, marbling score, USDA quality grade and lipid percentage of the 9-10-11 rib section compared with cows slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

The effect of breed of sire and age at feeding on muscle tenderness in the beef chuck.

Steers (n = 59) produced from the mating of Braford, Simbrah, Senepol, and Simmental bulls to Brahman- and Romana Red-sired cows and Brahman bulls to Angus cows were used in this study. Effects of sire breed and age at feeding on muscle tenderness in the major muscles of the chuck when steers were fed to 1.0 cm 12th rib fat were determined. There were no muscle tenderness effects due to sire breed group, with the exception of the serratus ventralis muscle, which was more tender in Brahman- and Braford-sired steers than in Simmental-sired steers. Additionally, the supraspinatus muscle from the yearlings was lower in shear value than that from the calves. The Brahman-sired steers had serratus ventralis muscles with higher percentages (P less than .05) of intramuscular fat than those of Braford-, Simbrah-, and Simmental-sired steers. Fat deposited within the muscle or between muscles in the chuck was not related to muscle tenderness as measured by Warner-Bratzler shear values. Also, percentages of intramuscular fat of the triceps brachii, serratus ventralis, or supraspinatus muscles were not influenced (P greater than .05) by age at feeding.

Adipose Tissue↗

Attaching and effacing Escherichia coli infection as a cause of diarrhea in young calves.

A form of enteric Escherichia coli infection was identified in 60 calves from 59 farming operations. The E coli responsible for these infections principally colonized the colon, inducing a distinctive lesion described as attaching and effacing. Hemorrhagic enterocolitis or blood in the feces was observed on 40% of the farms. Of affected calves, 86.6% were dairy calves (average age, 11.8 days). Forty-four calves were infected concurrently with other enteropathogens (cryptosporidia, rotavirus, coronavirus, enterotoxigenic E coli, bovine viral diarrhea virus, coccidia). Verotoxin-producing E coli was recovered from 31 calves; 8 were serotype O111:NM isolates, 3 were serotype O5:NM, and 1 was serotype O26:NM.

Animals↗

Quisqualate receptors in epileptic fowl: the absence of coupling between quisqualate and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.

The ability of excitatory amino acid receptor agonists, AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) and quisqualate to produce seizures was determined in 1-2 day old epileptic and non-epileptic (carrier) chicks. Both compounds produced prolonged clonic seizures in epileptic chicks at doses which were not convulsant in carrier chicks. Seizures produced in epileptics by AMPA were suppressed by the quisqualate antagonist CNQX (6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione), but were not prevented by pretreatment with competitive (2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid, APH) or non-competitive (MK-801) NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonists. These data do not support the hypothesis that NMDA receptors work in concert with quisqualate receptors. Binding sites for [3H]AMPA were characterized in cerebral hemispheres of both epileptic and carrier chicks. Analysis of the data revealed no significant alterations in the binding affinity (KD) or the number of binding sites (Bmax) of AMPA to tissue preparations from epileptic chickens when compared to carriers. The latter data does not explain the increased susceptibility of epileptic fowl to the convulsant effects of quisqualate and AMPA.

Animals↗

Experimental spinal cord injury: qualitative and quantitative histopathologic evaluation.

This study involved a morphometric analysis of an experimental model of spinal cord injury. The spinal cords of rats were injured by a weight drop at T8 level. Animals were sacrificed 4 weeks after injury, and histopathologic examination of the spinal cords was carried out qualitatively and also quantitatively with the aid of computer-assisted morphometry. Total cross-sectional areas of residual gray and white matter were determined at five regularly spaced intervals through the injured cord segment. The histologic findings were correlated with height of weight-drop and motor recovery in the hind limbs at 4 weeks postinjury. The weight-drop injury was found to produce a longitudinally asymmetrical cavitary defect, which was better assessed by a series of cross-sectional profiles than by a single histologic cross-section through the epicenter (site of maximal impact) of the cord injury. There was a strong correlation between height of weight-drop and amount of residual tissue (gray and white matter) at the epicenter. A correlation was also found between height of weight-drop and a composite of residual tissue evaluated at multiple levels through the injury site. By comparison with cross-sectional morphometry at the epicenter, multiple cross-sections, reflecting volume of residual tissue in the longitudinal extent of injury, showed greater statistical correlation with functional (behavioral) outcome. This "volumetric" assessment of the total region of injury is therefore recommended as preferable to a histopathologic evaluation limited to the epicenter.

Animals↗

Attenuation of febrile seizures in epileptic chicks by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists.

Experimental febrile seizures can be evoked in epileptic chicks by elevation of their body temperature. Both competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists [(3-(+/- )2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP), DL-2-amino-7-phosphosphonoheptanoic acid (APH), DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), D-alpha-aminoadipic acid (AAA), and DL-alpha, epsilon-diaminopimelic acid (DAP)] and the noncompetitive NMDA antagonist (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a,d] cyclohepten-5, 10-imine maleate (MK-801) produced dose-dependent increases in latency to the onset of seizures. Of the drugs tested, MK-801 had the highest potency followed in order by CPP = APH greater than APV much greater than AAA greater than DAP. There was a high correlation (r = 0.995) between the dose capable of doubling seizure latency and the affinity of the competitive NMDA antagonists for the NMDA receptor as determined by in vitro binding assays. These data suggest that NMDA receptor mediated mechanisms may be involved in the production of seizures in response to hyperthermia.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

Effect of epinephrine and lidocaine therapy on outcome after cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation.

One hundred ninety-nine patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest persisted in ventricular fibrillation after the first defibrillation attempt and were then randomly assigned to receive either epinephrine or lidocaine before the next two shocks. The resulting electrocardiographic rhythms and outcomes for each group of patients were compared for each group and also compared with results during the prior 2 years, a period when similar patients primarily received sodium bicarbonate as initial adjunctive therapy. Asystole occurred after defibrillation with threefold frequency after repeated injection of lidocaine (15 of 59, 25%) compared with patients treated with epinephrine (four of 55, 7%) (p less than 0.02). There was no difference in the proportion of patients resuscitated after treatment with either lidocaine or epinephrine (51 of 106, 48% vs. 50 of 93, 54%) and in the proportion surviving (18, 19% vs. 21, 20%), respectively. Resuscitation (64% vs. 50%, p less than 0.005) but not survival rates (24% vs. 20%) were higher during the prior 2-year period in which initial adjunctive drug treatment for persistent ventricular fibrillation primarily consisted of a continuous infusion of sodium bicarbonate. The negative effect of lidocaine or epinephrine treatment was explained in part by their influence on delaying subsequent defibrillation attempts. Survival rates were highest (30%) in a subset of patients who received no drug therapy between shocks. We conclude that currently recommended doses of epinephrine and lidocaine are not useful for improving outcome in patients who persist in ventricular fibrillation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bicarbonates↗

Effects of percentage Brahman and Angus breeding, age-season of feeding and slaughter end point on meat palatability and muscle characteristics.

Steers (n = 125) of known percentage Angus (A) and Brahman (B) breeding (A = 31, 3/4A:1/4B = 32, 1/2A:1/2B = 31, 1/4A:3/4B = 31) were slaughtered after being fed as calves during the cool period of the year or fed as yearlings during the warm period of the year. Steers were slaughtered at equivalent outside fat thickness as monitored visually and with real-time ultrasound. Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) force increased and sensory panel tenderness decreased as percentage Brahman increased. Loin muscle characteristics indicated that differences in tenderness between breed groups were not attributed to cold shortening effects or differences in amount or integrity of connective tissue. Fragmentation values suggested that breed group tenderness differences probably resulted from differences in the muscle fiber component. A 10-d postmortem aging study revealed a differential breed group response to postmortem aging, suggesting that breed groups differed in amount and(or) activity of naturally occurring proteolytic enzymes in muscle tissue.

Age Factors↗

Effects of percentage Brahman and Angus breeding, age-season of feeding and slaughter end point on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics.

Steers (n = 165) of known percentage Brahman (B) and Angus (A) breeding were used to study effects of breed group (A, 3/4A:1/4B, 1/2A:1/2B, 1/4A:3/4B), age-season of feeding (calves fed during the cool season vs yearlings fed during the warm season) and slaughter end point (less than .90, 1.0 to 1.15, 1.27 to 1.40, greater than or equal to 1.5 cm of adjusted fat over the ribeye) on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. The 1/2B and 3/4B steers had heavier (P less than .05) initial and final feedlot weights than the A and 1/4B steers and higher (P less than .05) unshrunk ADG than the A steers did. Breed types did not differ for feed efficiency. Yearling steers fed in the warm season had higher (P less than .05) unshrunk ADG than calves fed in the cool season, but ADG calculated on an empty-rumen basis did not differ between the two age-seasons of feeding. Calves fed in the cool season were more efficient (P less than .05) than yearlings fed in the warm season when efficiency was expressed on an empty-rumen basis; however, on a live weight basis there was no difference in feed efficiency. No breed group by age-season of feeding interactions on performance were detected. Slaughter end point did not significantly affect feed efficiency on an empty-rumen basis. The 1/2B and 3/4B steers had smaller ribeye areas (REA) per 100 kg hot carcass and lower marbling scores than the 1/4B and A steers. Yearlings fed in the warm season produced heavier carcasses (P less than .05) than calves fed in the cool season. As s.c. fat thickness at slaughter increased, hot carcass weight and numerical yield grade increased, whereas REA per 100 kg of hot carcass decreased. Marbling also increased as fatness increased up to about 1.5 cm subcutaneous fat.

Adipose Tissue↗

Differences in cathepsin B + L and calcium-dependent protease activities among breed type and their relationship to beef tenderness.

Activities of acidic proteases (cathepsin B + L) and neutral, calcium-dependent proteases (CDP) were quantified to determine whether differences in proteolytic activity could explain differences in meat tenderness among breed types. Steers (n = 32) of known percentage Angus (A) and Brahman (B) breeding were used to establish differences in meat tenderness (A; 3/4A-1/4B; 1/2A-1/2B; 1/4A-3/4B). Samples were removed from the longissimus muscle within 1 h postmortem and within 2 h were frozen for subsequent determination of cathepsin B + L, CDP-I, CDP-II and CDP-inhibitor activities. Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) was assessed after 1, 5 and 10 d of postmortem aging. Taste panel evaluations, conducted on steaks that were subjected to 5 d of aging, detected no differences. At d 1, WBS did not differ among breed types; however, by d 10 of aging, steaks from Angus steers were more tender (P less than .05) than steaks from 1/2B and 3/4B steers. The Angus and 1/4B steaks had significantly more (P less than .05) cathepsin B + L activity than the 3/4B. The CDP had no relationship with WBS; however, CDP-inhibitor was positively related to d-1 WBS (r = .41, P less than .05). Cathepsin B + L activity was negatively related to WBS at d 10 (r = -.44, P less than .05). These data suggest that differences in meat tenderness among breed types may be explained partially by differences in proteolytic enzyme activity.

Animals↗

Dental abnormalities as a component of the Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome.

Previous reports have described the diversity of the phenotypic expression of the Laurence-Moon and Bardet-Biedl syndrome. This report describes two brothers whose features include the previously unreported defect of oligodontia in addition to retinitis pigmentosa, hypogenitalism, strabismus, short stature, and developmental delay. The reports over the last century have emphasized the varied expression from family to family and even differences among members of the same family. This report broadens the already pleomorphic nature of this syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

The relationship between anticonvulsant activity and receptor affinity of N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists in epileptic fowl.

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists [(3-(+/-)2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-l-phosphonic acid (CPP), +/- 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (2AP7), +/- 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (2AP5), D-alpha-aminoadipic acid (alpha AA), and +/- alpha, epsilon-diaminopimelic acid (DAP)] were tested for anticonvulsant activity in epileptic chickens. There was a high correlation between anticonvulsant potencies (ED50) and the affinity for the NMDA receptor measured by displacement of L-[3H]glutamate from synaptosomal membranes. The high seizure susceptibility is not due to abnormalities in the NMDA receptor as comparison of KD, Bmax and Ki values in synaptosomal preparations from epileptic and non-epileptic chickens indicated no differences in NMDA receptor binding receptor characteristics.

Animals↗

Attaching and effacing Escherichia coli infections in calves, pigs, lambs, and dogs.

Attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) adhere to mucosal epithelium in both small and large intestine and induce a distinctive lesion characterized by an irregular scalloped appearance of the epithelial layer. Infection with attaching and effacing E. coli was detected in 14 calves, 7 pigs, 2 lambs, and 3 dogs. Affected animals were from farms and kennels in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Ages of affected animals were calves, 2 days to 4 months; pigs, 1-6 weeks; lambs, 1 week; and dogs, 7-8 weeks. Clinical signs included diarrhea in all animals, but other nonenteric disease problems were present in some animals. Concurrent infection with other enteropathogens was detected in 9 calves and 5 pigs. Infection with AEEC appeared to be the sole cause of illness and death in some animals. There was evidence of intestinal hemorrhage in 5 of the calves and in all 3 dogs. Attaching and effacing lesions varied from small scattered foci to widespread involvement of large areas of intestinal mucosa. Verotoxin was produced by E. coli strains isolated from 9 calves, but not by strains from pigs, lambs, or dogs.

Animals↗

Effect of maternal rubella on hearing and vision: a twenty year post-epidemic study.

Three years of research conducted at NTID beginning in 1984 examined the hearing and vision characteristics of two groups of deaf college students. All 242 students studied received complete audiometric assessments and ophthalmological examinations. Of those students examined, 104 were known to be deaf as a result of maternal rubella (congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) group). The remaining 138 (non-CRS group) became deaf for a variety of other reasons. No significant differences were found between groups in puretone thresholds for frequencies measured at octave intervals from 250 thru 8000 Hz. There were, however, significant differences between the two groups relative to their vision characteristics. Seven visual pathologies or resulting conditions were found to be more prevalent with the CRS population. Among them were 38 cases of amblyopia which might have been prevented with early intervention. The various implications of this problem are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of cimaterol for finishing swine including a drug withdrawal period.

One hundred fifty crossbred pigs (55 kg) were allotted by weight, sex and litter to a randomized complete-block design with five dietary treatments, six blocks per treatment and five pigs per pen with sex equalized across treatments. Corn-soybean meal-based diets (.65% lysine) with 0, .25 and .5 mg/kg cimaterol were fed, on an ad libitum basis, to pigs slaughtered at an average pen weight of 104 kg/pig. Drug withdrawal prior to slaughter was 1, 3 and 5 d for pigs fed cimaterol at .25 mg/kg and 1 d for those fed cimaterol at .5 mg/kg of diet. Dietary cimaterol level influenced (quadratic, P less than .01) average daily gain during the first 42 d on test; however, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected (P greater than .1). Pigs fed .25 mg/kg cimaterol with a 1-d drug withdrawal had 6.8, 7.7 and 13.5% less 10th rib fat depth and 11.1, 6.1 and 13.3% less P2 fat depth than those subjected to either a 3- or 5-d drug withdrawal or those fed the 0 mg/kg cimaterol diet (control), respectively. Overall, pigs fed cimaterol had 7.9% larger longissimus muscle area and 2.6% more kilograms of muscle than pigs fed the control diet. Cimaterol fed at .5 mg/kg resulted in higher (P less than .05) Warner-Bratzler shear force values and altered the proportion of saturation in some long-chain fatty acids, although the total saturated:unsaturated fat ratio was not affected. Pigs fed no cimaterol had less thaw loss (P less than .05) than did those fed other treatments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗