Digital Commons Network^™

Dirofilaria Causing Eye Infection In A Patient From Malaysia, Rohela Mahmud, Jamaiah Ibrahim, T.T. Hui, J.W. Mak, Init Ithoi, A. Amirah

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Human dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens have been reported in Malaysia. This is the fourth reported case of dirofilariasis caused by D. repens. The patient was a Chinese male from Kuching Sarawak, Malaysia who presented with a one day history of redness and itchiness over the temporal aspect of his left eye. A worm was seen and later removed from beneath the conjunctiva under local anesthesia and based on the morphological characteristics, it was identified as an immature Dirofilaria repens.

Effects Of Cultivation Techniques And Processing On Antimicrobial And Antioxidant Activities Of Hericium Erinaceus (Bull.:Fr.) Pers. Extracts, K.H. Wong, V. Sabaratnam, N. Abdullah, U.R. Kuppusamy, M. Naidu

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Hericium erinaceus, a temperate mushroom, is currently cultivated in Malaysia. As cultivation and processing conditions may affect the medicinal properties, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of locally grown H. erinaceus have been investigated. The fruitbodies that were fresh, oven-dried or freeze-dried were extracted with methanol. Their properties were compared to those exhibited by mycelium extract of the same mushroom. Various extracts of H. erinaceus inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria but not of the tested fungus. Mycelium extract contained the highest total phenolic content and the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The fresh fruitbody extract showed the most potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl …

Evaluation Of Pressure Changes For Capillary And Fishbone Valves In Lab-On-Cd Systems, J. Peyman, A. Akbar Nozari, N. Soin, F. Ibrahim

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

This paper describes an investigation in Capillary and Fishbone valves as controlling medium of liquid flow for microdevices and diagnosis methods like Enzymed Linked Immonusorbent Assays (ELISA). Numerical simulation by MATLAB programming was employed to predict the pressure gradient at the Capillary valve expansion part and Fishbone valve section. The analysis results of pressure gradient versus channel width values depicted that an increase in the width of channel leads to a decrease in the pressure gradient. While an increase in Surface tension raises up the required pressure gradient for both valves. Pressure gradient sensitivity to contact angle between liquid and …

Field Effectiveness Of Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (Bti) Against Aedes (Stegomyia) Aegypti (Linnaeus) In Ornamental Ceramic Containers With Common Aquatic Plants, C.C. Dhang, L.H. Lim, N.W. Ahmad, S. Benjamin, L.K. Weng, D.A.A. Rahim, E.S. Safian, Mohd Sofian-Azirun

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

This study was undertaken to determine the impact of larvaciding using a Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) formulation (VectoBac WG) against Aedes aegypti larvae in earthen jars containing aquatic plants. Aquatic plants commonly used for landscaping, Pistia stratiotes (L.) (Liliopsida: Araceae) and Sagittaria sp. (Liliopsida: Alismataceae) were placed inside earthen jars filled with 50 L tap water. All earthen jars were treated with Bti formulation at 8g/1000L. Untreated jars with and without aquatic plants were also set up as controls. Fifty laboratory-bred 2nd instar larvae were introduced into each earthen jar. All earthen jars were observed daily. Number of adults emerged …

Isolation, Detection And Genomic Differentiation Of Escherichia Coli From Aquatic Environments In Kelantan, Malaysia, A. Rathi, Kwai Lin Thong, V.C. Chong

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

The main aims of this study were to isolate and detect the presence of pathogenic E. coli in selected aquatic environments in Bachok, Kelantan, as well as to determine the presence of their virulence genes and the genomic diversity among the isolates. Fifty water samples from various aquatic environments of Bachok, Kelantan were examined for total coliform and pathogenic E. coli. The presence of total coliform was significantly correlated to E. coli (p<0.05). Among the putative E. coli, 176 isolates retrieved from selective media, 116 (66) from 29 water samples were positive for biochemical tests and harbored the phoA gene, which is the housekeeping gene for E. coli. A hexaplex PCR was performed to detect six virulence genes in pathogenic E. coli such as heatstable toxin 1 (ST1), heat-labile toxin 1 (LT1), heat-labile toxin 2 (LT2), verotoxin1 (VT1), verotoxin 2 (VT2) and attachment and effacement (eaeA). Isolates from only one sample harbored the ETEC as the isolates were positive for the LT1-heat labile toxin. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that only ETEC isolates was resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The rest of E. coli isolates were susceptible to the tested antibiotics. The analysis of genomic diversity of 116 E. coli isolates by Repetitive Extragenic Palindromic (REP)-PCR generated 27 patterns (F=0.26-1.0). The REP-PCR profiles were reproducible and the multiple DNA fingerprints showed that the E. coli isolates were genetically diverse. A dendrogram generated by the UPGMA algorithm showed 4 clusters of E. coli isolates based on 80 similarity. Overall, REP-PCR generated high genetic variability within the E. coli isolates. REP-PCR is a promising molecular method for determining the genomic diversity of environmental E. coli strains.

Life Cycle Impact Assessment (Lcia) Of Potable Water Treatment Process In Malaysia: Comparison Between Dissolved Air Flotation (Daf) And Ultrafiltration (Uf) Technology, Amir Hamzah Sharaai, Noor Zalina Mahmood, Abdul Halim Sulaiman

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

This Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) study compares two types of drinking water technologies; Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) technology and Ultra Filtration technology. The selected plant for this study has both types of technologies in use. Collected data are from the usage of electricity and chemicals used in the water treatment process. The Eco-Indicator 99 was chosen to indicate extent of damage from collected inventories. From the result of impact assessment conducted, it is found that Ultrafiltration technology contributes higher impact to all three categories of damages; damage to environmental quality, damage to human health and damage to source when …

Neuromodulatory Effect Of Acrous Calamus Leaves Extract On Dopaminergic System In Mice, K. Vengadeshprabu, T. George, R. Vinothkumar, J. Nancy, M. Kalaivani, P. Vijayapandi

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Acorus calamus (Family: Araceae), available in India and many parts of world, found to have various Pharmacological activities such as analgesic, anti-convulsant, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti ulcer and cyto-protective. In present study, we have investigated effects of methanol (ACME) and acetone (ACAE) extract of Acorus calamus leaves against APM induced stereotypy and haloperidol induced catalepsy. APM induced stereotypy behavior, which reached peak at 15 min period. ACME (20 and 50 mg/Kg oral) administration significantly reversed stereotypy induced by APM. But ACAE at doses used (5, 20 and 50 mg/Kg oral) could not alter the stereotypy induced by APM. Whereas ACME …

Performance Appraisal Of Industrial Waste Incineration Bottom Ash As Controlled Low-Strength Material, H.A. Razak, S. Naganathan, S.N.A. Hamid

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Controlled low-strength material (CLSM) is slurry made by mixing sand, cement, ash, and water. It is primarily used as a replacement for soil and structural fillings. This paper presents the findings of a preliminary investigation carried out on the performance of industrial waste incineration bottom ash as CLSM. CLSM mixes were designed using industrial waste incineration bottom ash, and cement. Tests for density, setting time, bleed, and compressive strength on cubes under various curing conditions, corrosivity, and leaching of heavy metals and salts were carried out on the CLSM mixtures, and the results discussed. Compressive strength for the designed CLSM …

Review Article: Stem Cell Therapy In Orthopaedic Surgery: Current Status And Ethical Considerations, J.H.P. Hui, M. Azura, E.H. Lee

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Regenerative medicine using stem cell therapy has sparked much interest in this 21st century not only because of the controversies that surround the ethics involving pluripotent stem cells but their potential for use in the clinic. The ability of stem cells to repair and regenerate new tissues and organs holds tremendous promise for the treatment of many serious diseases and injuries. This review provides a brief summary of the current status of research in stem cells with special emphasis on where we are in terms of the possible clinical application of stem cell therapy in orthopaedic surgery. We look at …

Serum Kinetics Of Calloselasma Rhodostoma (Malayan Pit Viper) Venom Components In A Rabbit, N.H. Tan, G. Ponnudurai, Shin Yee Fung

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

The serum kinetics of Calloselasma rhodostoma (Malayan pit viper) venom specifically two of its components, the major hemorrhagin (rhodostoxin) and a thrombin-like enzyme was examined in a rabbit by double-sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The animal received intramuscularly a 1.0-mg/kg dose of C. rhodostoma venom. The venom level in serum peaked 12 hours after the injection, followed by a gradual decline and finally reached low rates 72 hours after administration. The serum kinetic profile of venom components, however, did not correspond to the profile of the whole C. rhodostoma venom. The serum levels of the C. rhodostoma thrombin-like enzyme increased …

The First Isolation Of Chikungunya Virus From Nonhuman Primates In Malaysia, Y. Apandi, W.A. Nazni, Z.A. Noor Azleen, Indra Vythilingam, M.Y. Noorazian

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

No abstract provided.

Uncovering The Relation Between The Environmental Damage And The Rate Of Rainfall Received Through Life Cycle Assessment (Lca) Study On Potable Water Production In Malaysia, Amir Hamzah Sharaai, Noor Zalina Mahmood, Abdul Halim Sulaiman

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

The world climate change is a phenomenon that is widely discussed in recent times. It causes a huge impact to the population of the world. Global warming causes the world's rainfall pattern to change including Malaysia. Today wet and dry season is very hard to be accurately predicted. Rainy season is getting more frequent and causing destruction to properties and halting economic growth of a nation. Evidence shows that climate change and global warming is caused by human's own lifestyle and activities. Man's savage way is the main caused for global climate change. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool …

Protecting Fictional Characters: Defining The Elusive Trademark-Copyright Divide Note, Kathryn M. Foley

Connecticut Law Review

Fictional characters have become exceptionally valuable assets, now consistently the subject of lucrative licensing agreements. Their unique ability to serve expressive as well as source identifying functions supports such agreements by allowing strong intellectual property protection to be granted under both copyright and trademark doctrines. Nonetheless, the intellectual property protection afforded to fictional characters must be carefully considered in order to avoid unjustified encroachments upon the public domain. This Article examines the copyright and trademark protection available to fictional characters and offers a mechanism for ensuring that such protection does not lead to the creation of impermissible, perpetual copyrights. The …

Changing The Immutable Commentary, Susan R. Schmeiser

Connecticut Law Review

Over the past few decades, questions about the chosen or compelled nature of sexual orientation have become both a political and a constitutional litmus test for progressive approaches to LGBT rights. While choice occupies a hallowed place in American culture, its invocation in the context of sexual orientation generally has a more ambivalent, and often sinister, ring. High-profile gaffes by prominent politicians make clear that, in this context at least, pro-gay does not mean pro-choice. This Article illuminates the rhetorical confusion surrounding homosexuality and choice, linking it to a misguided jurisprudence of immutability. It reflects briefly on the emergence and …

Service By Health Care Providers In A Public Health Emergency: The Physican's Duty And The Law, Judith C. Ahronheim

Journal of Health Care Law and Policy

No abstract provided.

Advent 2009, Gardner-Webb University

Advent Devotions

Annual Gardner-Webb University Advent devotional book from the year 2009 with contributions from various students, faculty, and staff members. Each page in the book represents a day of Advent and contains a scripture and short devotion. There are also spaces provided for prayer requests and advent reflection. This particular book was created in memory of the late Daniel E. Goodman who was the original producer of the Gardner-Webb Advent calendars beginning in 2005.

National Cave And Karst Research Institute 2007-2008 Annual Report Nckri Annual Report, 2007-2008, National Cave And Karst Research Institute

KIP Articles

Contents: Executive Report -- NCKRI Projects -- Student Activities -- Outreach -- Organizational Structure -- Board Activities -- Board of Directors -- NCKRI Staff -- Staff Publications -- 2007-2008 Budget -- Strategic Plans.

Multi-Tissue Coexpression Networks Reveal Unexpected Subnetworks Associated With Disease, Radu Dobrin, Jun Zhu, Cliona Molony, Carmen Argman, Mark L. Parish, Sonia Carlson, Mark F. Allan, Daniel Pomp, Eric E. Schadt

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Background: Obesity is a particularly complex disease that at least partially involves genetic and environmental perturbations to gene-networks connecting the hypothalamus and several metabolic tissues, resulting in an energy imbalance at the systems level.

Results: To provide an inter-tissue view of obesity with respect to molecular states that are associated with physiological states, we developed a framework for constructing tissue-to-tissue coexpression networks between genes in the hypothalamus, liver or adipose tissue. These networks have a scale-free architecture and are strikingly independent of gene-gene coexpression networks that are constructed from more standard analyses of single tissues. This is the first systematic …

Additional Files For “Multi-Tissue Coexpression Networks Reveal Unexpected Subnetworks Associated With Disease”, Radu Dobrin, Jun Zhu, Cliona Molony, Carmen Argman, Mark L. Parrish, Sonia Carlson, Mark F. Allan, Daniel Pomp, Eric E. Schadt

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Figure S1 shows the connectivity distribution P(k) for GGC networks. Figure S2 shows FDR curves for each tissue in the analysis. Figure S3 shows modules in single tissue GGC networks as detected by the algorithm. Each cluster is marked by the yellow rectangles. Figure S4 shows single tissue module enrichment. Each panel has the following structure: top, P-values from FET for cis-eQTL blue bars over- and red bars under-enriched; middle, percentage overlap between module and genes with cis-eQTL; bottom, percentage overlap between each module and genes on each chromosome. The scale is between green and black where green represents 0% …

Evaluation Of Antral Follicle Count And Ovarian Morphology In Crossbred Beef Cows: Investigation Of Influence Of Stage Of The Estrous Cycle, Age, And Birth Weight, R. A. Cushman, M. F. Allan, Larry A. Kuehn, W. M. Snelling, Andrea S. Cupp, H. C. Freetly

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Depletion of the ovarian reserve is associated with reproductive senescence in mammalian females, and there is a positive relationship between the size of the ovarian reserve and the number of antral follicles on the surface of the ovary. Therefore, we conducted a series of experiments to investigate the influence of stage of the estrous cycle, age, and birth weight on antral follicle counts (AFC) in beef cows and heifers. Pairs of ovaries were collected from crossbred beef cows at slaughter (n = 72) or at necropsy (n = 333; 0 to 11 yr of age); all visible antral follicles were …

Evaluation Of Antral Follicle Count And Ovarian Morphology In Crossbred Beef Cows: Investigation Of Influence Of Stage Of The Estrous Cycle, Age, And Birth Weight, R. A. Cushman, M. F. Allan, L. A. Kuehn, W. M. Snelling, Andrea S. Cupp, H. C. Freetly

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Depletion of the ovarian reserve is associated with reproductive senescence in mammalian females, and there is a positive relationship between the size of the ovarian reserve and the number of antral follicles on the surface of the ovary. Therefore, we conducted a series of experiments to investigate the influence of stage of the estrous cycle, age, and birth weight on antral follicle counts (AFC) in beef cows and heifers. Pairs of ovaries were collected from crossbred beef cows at slaughter (n = 72) or at necropsy (n = 333; 0 to 11 yr of age); all visible antral follicles were …

Evaluation Of Revalor-Ih And Revalor-Is As Initial Implants Compared With Traditional Initial Implants For Finishing Heifers And Steers, J. D. Folmer, T. B. Farran, G. E. Erickson, T. J. Klopfenstein, C. D. Reinhardt, B. D. Dicke, J. S. Drouillard, M. N. Streeter, J. T. Vasconcelos

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two commercial feedlot experiments were conducted to compare performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot heifers and steers using 2 implant strategies. In Exp. 1, heifers (n = 1,124; initial BW = 279 ± 5 kg) were administered either Revalor-IH [Intervet/ Schering Plough Animal Health, DeSoto, KS; 8 mg of estradiol (E2) and 80 mg of trenbolone acetate (TA)] or Synovex-H (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Overland Park, KS; 20 mg of estradiol benzoate and 200 mg of testosterone propionate) at initial processing, with both treatment groups receiving Revalor-200 (20 mg E2 and 200 mg TA) as the common terminal implant 81 …

Effects Of Ractopamine (Optaflexx) Fed In Combination With Melengestrol Acetate On Feedlot Heifer Performance, W. A. Griffin, G. E. Erickson, B. D. Dicke, T. J. Klopfenstein, R. J. Cooper, D. J. Jordon, R. S. Swingle, W. M. Moseley, G. E. Sides, D. J. Weigel

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two commercial feedlot experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding melengestrol acetate (MGA) or MGA plus ractopamine (MGA+OPT) on the performance and carcass characteristics of finishing heifers. In Nebraska (Exp. 1), 1,807 heifers (337.3 ± 20.0 kg) and in Texas (Exp. 2), 1,964 heifers (331.5 ± 6.1 kg) were fed 0.4 mg of MGA daily. For heifers fed MGA+OPT, 200 mg of ractopamine was fed daily the last 29 (Exp. 2) or 36 d (Exp. 1). Live and carcass-adjusted performance data were collected. On a carcass-adjusted basis, G:F for the entire feeding period was improved (P < 0.01) by 1.7 and 3.7% in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively, for heifers fed MGA+OPT compared with MGA. For the last 29 to 36 d, G:F was increased (P < 0.02) by 8.1% (Exp. 1) or 27.2% (Exp. 2) on a carcass-adjusted basis for heifers fed MGA+OPT compared with MGA. Fat thickness, USDA YG, marbling score, LM area, and percentage USDA Choice were not different (P > 0.47) between …

The Relationship Between Acid Detergent Insoluble Nitrogen And Nitrogen Digestibility In Lactating Dairy Cattle, K. J. Machacek, P. J. Kononoff

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Five trials (19 treatments) conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) on lactating dairy cattle were analyzed to determine how the concentration of ADIN in the ration affects total tract N digestibility. Additionally, 6 published studies (13 treatments) were included to expand the data set. Results from the UNL trials showed that as the concentration of ADIN in the ration increased, the digestibility of ADIN also increased. However, the relationship was poor (r² = 0.29). To account for random effects among trials, a meta-analysis was conducted. In the UNL trials, as the ration concentration of ADIN increased, total tract …

Influence Of Distillers Dried Grain Supplementation Frequency On Forage Digestibility And Growth Performance Of Beef Cattle, L. A. Stalker, D. C. Adams, T. J. Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Three experiments evaluated the influence of supplementation frequency of distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) on forage digestibility (Exp. 1) and growth of yearling heifers (Exp. 2) and steers (Exp. 3). In Exp. 1, 6 steers (371 ± 30 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with three 21-d periods. Treatments were DDGS fed at 16.7% of the diet (DM) either 1) daily, 2) every other day, or 3) every third day. In Exp. 2, 48 heifers (193 ± 20 kg) were fed hay and supplemented with the daily equivalent of 1.3 kg/ heifer of …

Supplementing Wet Distillers Grains Mixed With Low Quality Forage To Grazing Cow Calf Pairs, Brandon L. Nuttelman, William Griffin, T. J. Klopfenstein, Walter H. Schacht, Leslie Aaron Stalker, Jacqueline Musgrave, Jerry D. Volesky

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two consecutive summer grazing studies were conducted to quantify the effect of supplementing cows with wet distillers grains (WDGS) mixed with low quality forage on 1) grazed forage intake and 2) cow and calf performance. During exp. 1, twenty-four three year old lactating cows rotationally grazed for 56 d and were assigned to one of three treatments: 1) the recommended stocking rate of 1.48 AUM/ha with no supplementation (CON1), 2) double the recommended stocking rate (2.96 AUM/ha) and supplemented 6.64 kg/hd daily of 45% grass hay and 55% WDGS (DM) to replace 50% of estimated total intake (SUP), and 3) …

Comparison Of Feeding Wet Distillers Grains In A Bunk Or On The Ground To Cattle Grazing Native Sandhills Winter Range, Jacqueline Musgrave, Leslie Aaron Stalker, Matthew C. Stockton, T. J. Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two-experiments determined the effects of feeding wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) either on the ground or in a bunk to cattle grazing native Sandhills winter range. In Experiment 1 (Exp. 1), 120 multiparous March-calving cows (536 ± 53.5 kg BW) were stratified by age and assigned to one of four treatments: WDGS fed on the ground, either three or six d/wk; or WDGS fed in a bunk either three or six d/wk. In Experiment 2 (Exp. 2), 63 March-born steer calves (201.2 ± 27.5 kg BW) were stratified by weight and assigned to one of two feeding treatments: WDGS …

Large-Scale Association Study For Structural Soundness And Leg Locomotion Traits In The Pig, Bin Fan, Suneel K. Onteru, Benny E. Mote, Timo Serenius, Kenneth J. Stalder, Max F. Rothschild

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Background: Identification and culling of replacement gilts with poor skeletal conformation and feet and leg (FL) unsoundness is an approach used to reduce sow culling and mortality rates in breeding stock. Few candidate genes related to soundness traits have been identified in the pig.

Methods: In this study, 2066 commercial females were scored for 17 traits describing body conformation and FL structure, and were used for association analyses. Genotyping of 121 SNPs derived from 95 genes was implemented using Sequenom's MassARRAY system.

Results: Based on the association results from single trait and principal components using mixed linear …

Age And Diet Affect Gene Expression Profile In Canine Skeletal Muscle, Ingmar S. Middelbos, Brittany M. Vester, Lisa K. Karr-Lilienthal, Lawrence B. Schook, Kelly S. Swanson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

We evaluated gene transcription in canine skeletal muscle (biceps femoris) using microarray analysis to identify effects of age and diet on gene expression. Twelve female beagles were used (six 1-year olds and six 12-year olds) and they were fed one of two experimental diets for 12 months. One diet contained primarily plant-based protein sources (PPB), whereas the second diet contained primarily animal-based protein sources (APB). Affymetrix GeneChip Canine Genome Arrays were used to hybridize extracted RNA. Age had the greatest effect on gene transcription (262 differentially expressed genes), whereas the effect of diet was relatively small (22 differentially expressed genes). …

Association And Haplotype Analyses Of Positional Candidate Genes In Five Genomic Regions Linked To Scrotal Hernia In Commercial Pig Lines, Zhi-Qiang Du, Xia Zhao, Natascha Vukasinovic, Fernanda Rodriguez, Archie C. Clutter, Max F. Rothschild

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Scrotal hernia in pigs is a complex trait likely affected by genetic and environmental factors. A large-scale association analysis of positional and functional candidate genes was conducted in four previously identified genomic regions linked to hernia susceptibility on Sus scrofa chromosomes 2 and 12, as well as the fifth region around 67 cM on chromosome 2, respectively. In total, 151 out of 416 SNPs discovered were genotyped successfully. Using a family-based analysis we found that four regions surrounding ELF5, KIF18A, COL23A1 on chromosome 2, and NPTX1 on chromosome 12, respectively, may contain the genetic variants important for the …