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Evaluation And Identification Of Idua Gene Mutations In Turkishpatients With Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, Nazente Atçeken, Riza Köksal Özgül, Di̇dem Yücel Yilmaz, Ayşegül Tokatli, Turgay Coşkun, Hati̇ce Serap Si̇vri̇, Ali̇ Dursun, Mehmet Karaca

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to identify IDUA gene mutations in Turkish patients morphologically (phenotypic) diagnosed with MPS type I. It also sought to discuss the possible effects of detected mutations on alpha-L-iduronidase enzyme function based on current knowledge. Materials and methods: Genetic analysis was carried out in 15 patients using direct DNA sequencing. Moreover, segregation analysis was performed among family members to predict the pathogenic effect of novel mutations, and computational programs were used to predict their functional impact. Results: Nine different mutations (c.494-1G>A, c.793-6C>G, c.793-5C>A, p.M1L, p.Y64X, p.A327P, p.W402X, p.P533L, and p.R628X) were identified. Computational analysis …

The Role Of Baseline Ga-68 Dotatate Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography In The Prediction Of Response To Fixed-Dose Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy With Lu-177 Dotatate*, Çi̇ğdem Soydal, Ahmet Peker, Elgi̇n Özkan, Nuri̇ye Özlem Küçük, Kemal Meti̇n Kir

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To describe the role of baseline gallium (Ga)-68 DOTATATE positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in the prediction of the response to peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) using lutetium (Lu)-177 DOTATATE. Materials and methods: Analysis was made of baseline Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT images of 29 patients (17 females and 12 males; mean age: 50.7 ± 14.6 years) with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors who received PRRT with Lu-177 DOTATATE. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of reference lesions and their ratios to physiological uptake organs were calculated. The relationship between these values and the radiological response was analyzed. Results: Partial response was …

Amniotic Membrane Transplantation In Bacterial And Herpetic Stromal Keratitis, Yeşi̇m Altay, Sema Tamer, Ayşe Burcu, Özgür Balta

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to describe the results of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in patients with bacterial and herpetic stromal keratitis. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective chart review study including 42 patients with herpetic keratitis (group 1) and 42 patients with bacterial keratitis (group 2). AMT was performed in addition to antimicrobial therapy. Topical steroids were administered after surgery. The outcome parameters evaluated were epithelialization time, decrease of stromal inflammation, and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA). Results: The average age of our patients was 55.85 ± 19.07 years, and average follow-up was 14.70 ± 11.75 months. …

Glycemic Index Values Of Monofloral Turkish Honeys And The Effect Oftheir Consumption On Glucose Metabolism*, Ali̇ Ti̇muçi̇n Atayoğlu, Meltem Soylu, Si̇bel Si̇li̇ci̇, Neri̇man İnanç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Clinical trials have shown that low glycemic index (GI) nutrition reduces mean blood glucose concentrations and insulin secretions. The aim of the present study was to determine the GI values of various monofloral (citrus, milk-vetch, chestnut, thyme, lime, pine) honeys of Turkey, and the effect of their consumption on glucose metabolism. Materials and methods: Processing data from 20 healthy volunteers, GI values were determined from the glycemia values by using the incremental area method. Serum insulin and C-peptide levels were also measured before and 120 min after the test. Results: The GI values of citrus, thyme, lime, chestnut, pine, …

Evaluation Of Maternal Serum Folate, Vitamin B12, And Homocysteine Levels Andfactor V Leiden, Factor Ii G.20210g>A, And Mthfr Variations In Prenatallydiagnosed Neural Tube Defects, Hati̇p Aydin, Resul Arisoy, Ali̇ Karaman, Emre Erdoğdu, Arda Çeti̇nkaya, Bi̇lgen Bi̇lge Geçki̇nli̇, Hasan Şi̇mşek, Oya Demi̇rci̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common congenital malformations that develop as a result of interactions between several genes and environmental factors. Many factors have been investigated in order to understand the etiology of NTDs, and many studies have identified folate intake as a common contributing factor. The exact etiology of the disease is still unknown. Materials and methods: In this study, we compared serum folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine levels, along with common thrombophilia-related genetic variations, including factor V Leiden, factor II g.20210G>A, MTHFR c.677C>T, and MTHFR c.1298A>C, in 35 pregnant women with fetal NTDs and …

Free Radical-Induced Nephrotoxicity Following Repeated Oral Exposureto Chlorpyrifos Alone And In Conjunction With Fluoride In Rats, Naseer Baba, Rajinder Raina, Pawan Verma, Mudasir Sultana

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Chronic renal disorder is becoming a major health problem worldwide. The purpose of the present study was to investigate alterations in the renal antioxidant system in rats induced by repeated exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF) alone and in conjunction with fluoride. Materials and methods: Wistar rats were randomly allocated to seven groups, each consisting of six rats, and were subjected to different treatment regiments for 28 days. Results: Significant increases (P < 0.05) in plasma protein, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels indicated alterations in renal functions on repeated exposure to CPF or fluoride; moreover, these changes were more pronounced in animals exposed to both toxicants concurrently. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in malondialdehyde levels and decreases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in renal tissue were noted, indicating renal damage on exposure to CPF, fluoride, or the combination of those. Conclusion: Our observations suggested that the concurrent exposure to CPF and fluoride increased the extent of renal damage. These findings indicate that this damage is due to increased free radical formation and a reduced function of the antioxidant system in renal tissue. Thus, the application of CPF as an insecticide should be reduced in areas where the fluoride levels in ground waters are high in order to minimize renal damage in exposed populations.

Comparison Between The Protective Effects Of Vitamin K And Vitamin A On The Modulation Of Hypervitaminosis D3 Short-Term Toxicity In Adult Albino Rats, Said Said Elshama, Hosam-Eldin Hussein Osman, Ayman El-Meghawry El-Kenawy, Hamdi Mohamed Youseef

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Vitamin D3 has increased risk of toxicity due to its common use in multivitamin preparations. Vitamin K and vitamin A play an important role in vitamin D action. The goal of the current study was to compare the protective effects of vitamin K and vitamin A on the modulation of hypervitaminosis D3 toxicity in rats by assessing serum calcium, renal function tests, cardiac enzymes, and related histopathological changes. Materials and methods: Eighty adult albino rats were divided into four groups; each group consisted of 20 rats. The first group received water; the second received a toxic dose of vitamin …

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Biodegradable Electrospun Caprolactoneand Poly(Lactic Acid-?-Caprolactone) Nerve Conduits For Peripheral Nerveregenerations In A Rat Sciatic Nerve Defect Model, Mehmet Dadaci, Ni̇met Karagülle, Erhan Sönmez, Zeynep Dadaci, Evren Tevfi̇k İşci̇, Bi̇lsev İnce, İbrahi̇m Vargel, Erhan Pi̇şki̇n, Ali̇ Yücel Erk

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to compare electrospun caprolactone (EC) and poly(lactic acid-?-caprolactone) (PLCL) nerve conduits with nerve graft in a rat sciatic nerve defect model. Materials and methods: A total of 32 male Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups, with 8 rats in each group. A nerve defect of 1 cm was constructed in the left sciatic nerve of the rats. These defects were left denuded in the sham group, and reconstructed with nerve grafts, PLCL, and EC nerve conduits in the other groups. After 3 months, nerve regenerations were evaluated macroscopically, microscopically, and electrophysiologically. …

Ameliorating Effects Of Curcumin On Nicotine-Induced Mice Testes, Gülfi̇dan Coşkun, Hülya Özgür, Şaban Doran, Sai̇t Polat

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidative effect of curcumin on nicotine-induced mice testis. Materials and methods: Sixty Swiss albino male mice were divided into five groups, each containing 12 mice. The first group was used as a control. To induce toxicity in the second and third group, nicotine (0.4 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally into mice for 14 and 28 days, respectively. The mice in the fourth and fifth group were injected with nicotine (0.4 mg/kg/day) and orally treated with curcumin (200 mg/kg) for 14 and 28 days, respectively. Testosterone levels were measured from blood samples …

Role Of Flt3 In The Proliferation And Aggressiveness Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Muammer Merve Aydin, Nermi̇n Sumru Bayin, Tolga Acun, Mustafa Cengi̇z Yakicier, Kami̇l Can Akçali

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Previously we showed that Fms-like tyrosine kinase (FLT3) changes its cellular localization upon partial hepatectomy, suggesting a role in liver regeneration. FLT3 was also shown to play an important function in cellular proliferation and activation of PI3K and Ras. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of FLT3 in hepatocellular tumorigenesis utilizing in vitro and in vivo models. Materials and methods: We used Snu398 cells that express FLT3. We investigated these cells' in vitro proliferation and invasion abilities by treatment with the FLT3 inhibitor K-252a or by knocking-down with FLT3 shRNA,. Furthermore, the effect of blocking FLT3 activity and …

Correlation Between Hfe Gene Polymorphisms And Increased Risk Of Coronary Artery Disease Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes In Iran, Leila Saremi, Marzieh Saremi, Shirin Lotfipanah, Saber Imani, Junjiang Fu, Tianyu Zhang

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are among the major causes of deaths in type 2 diabetes (T2D). The purpose of the present study was to determine the association of C282Y and H63D mutations in the HFE gene with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in T2D patients. Materials and methods: Two hundred and ninety individuals were divided into two groups: a case group and a control group. Genomic DNA of peripheral venous blood cells was extracted and the HFE gene mutations were analyzed using the PCR-RFLP technique. Results: Data analysis revealed a …

The Antioxidant And Antimutagenic Activities Of Ankaferd Blood Stopper,A Natural Hemostatic Agent Used In Dentistry, Aysel Uğur, Nurdan Saraç, Di̇lek Aynur Çankal, Murat Özle

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study investigated the antioxidant and antimutagenic properties of Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS), a plant-based topical hemostatic agent used in Turkey to treat external hemorrhages and bleeding during dental surgery. While previous studies have examined the antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties of ABS, to our knowledge, this is the first study to report on the antioxidant and antimutagenic activities of this drug. Materials and methods: Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH radical-scavenging and β-carotene-linoleic acid tests. Antimutagenic activity was assessed using the Ames Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity test with the bacterial mutant strains Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. Results: Although ABS …

Enos Gene Polymorphisms In Paraffin-Embedded Tissues Of Prostate Cancer Patients, Fi̇kri̇ye Polat, Nesri̇n Turaçlar, Meral Yilmaz, Günsel Bi̇ngöl, Hasi̇be Ci̇ngi̇lli̇ Vural

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms play a role in prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and methods: We examined three eNOS gene polymorphisms (T-786C promoter region, G894T, and Intron 4 VNTR 4a/b) at extracted DNAs from 50 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of PCa patients. For the controls, blood samples obtained from 50 healthy men were studied. Genotyping of molecular variants was performed by PCR-RFLP technique. Results: We found that the TC genotype of the T-786C polymorphism was associated with PCa risk (OR: 3.325, CI: 1.350-8.188, P = 0.008). The eNOS …

Investigation Of Enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli And Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli Associated With Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome In İzmir Province, Turkey, Eli̇f Bozçal, Gürkan Yi̇ği̇ttürk, Ataç Uzel, Sabi̇re Şöhret Aydemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains originating from diarrheagenic patients. Materials and methods: A total of 102 patients with diarrhea between October 2012 and January 2013 were enrolled in this study. Multiplex and standard polymerase chain reactions were performed to detect and distinguish STEC and EPEC strains. O serotyping of EPEC was carried out by monovalent antisera. The O and H serotyping of STEC strains was performed at the Refik Saydam Institute, Ankara. Results: A total of 5 (3.42%) strains were identified as STEC, and 3 …

Levels Of Nitric Oxide, Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine, Symmetric Dimethyl Arginine,And L-Arginine In Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Enver Demi̇rel Yilmaz, Mehmet Fati̇h Üstündağ, Ali̇ Görkem Gençer, Yüksel Kivrak, Özge Ünal, Mustafa Bi̇li̇ci̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: We aimed to investigate and compare to healthy controls the variations in the levels of nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethyl arginine (SDMA), and L-arginine levels in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Materials and methods: We enrolled 30 patients with OCD and 30 healthy controls in the study consecutively. Diagnostic interviews of all participants were conducted with the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), and sociodemographic data of the participants were recorded. Patients scoring 10 points or more on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale were enrolled in the study. Results: The NO levels of patients …

Nf-?? And Sod Expression In Preeclamptic Placentas, Abraham Silva Carmona, Hugo Mendieta Zeron

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal death in the developing world. Our aim was to quantify and compare messenger (mRNA) expression of nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-?β) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in control patients with preeclampsia and without preeclampsia with or without familial hereditary background. Materials and methods: Four groups of patients were formed depending on the presence or absence of preeclampsia and presence or absence of familial history for preeclampsia. NF-?β and SOD were measured in human placentas by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The 2-ΔΔct analysis method was used to measure the difference in the relative expression …

Prospects Of Curcumin As An Additive In Storage Solutions: A Study On Erythrocytes, Soumya Ravikumar, Carl Hsieh, Vani Rajashekharaiah

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Curcumin, a naturally occurring antioxidant, shows a wide variety of medicinal properties. The possibility of utilizing curcumin as an additive in storage solutions of blood has not been explored. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of curcumin on erythrocytes during storage. Materials and methods: Blood obtained from rats was stored (4 °C) for 20 days in citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine-1 solution. Samples were divided into four groups: 1) Controls; 2) Curcumin 10 mM; 3) Curcumin 30 mM; and 4) Curcumin 60 mM. Every fifth day, hemoglobin, superoxide, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)), lipid peroxidation …

Pacaha Inhibits Proliferation Of Human Cancer Cells In Vitro, Sali̇ha Ekşi̇, Nebahat Ejder, Fati̇h Yilmaz, Ayşe Ertürk, Cemal Sandalli

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of a newly synthesized molecule named paracetamol acetohydroxamic acid (PaCaHa) on human neoplastic cell lines. Materials and methods: A549, CRL 2923, HeLa, and ARPE were treated with various concentrations of PaCaHa and DMSO (vehicle control). The cytotoxic/cytostatic effects of PaCaHa were determined after a 24-h incubation period and compared to the DMSO control. The cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects were determined by the trypan blue dye exclusion and MTT methods. Results: A higher susceptibility to PaCaHA was found in CRL 2923 and HeLa cells, while A549 and …

Hepatoprotective And Antidiabetic Activities Of Fraxinus Angustifolia Vahl Extracts In Animal Models: Characterization By High Performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis, Zineb Medjahed, Dina Atman-Kilani, Marie-Laure Fauconnier, Gaetan Richard, Djebbar Atmani

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The present study was designed to explore antidiabetic and hepatoprotective potentials of Fraxinus angustifolia leaf (FAL) and bark (FAB) extracts in vivo. Materials and methods: Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, pretreated with the extracts (25 and 50 mg/kg), were monitored for fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels. Hepatoprotective potential was examined after injection of an excessive dose of paracetamol (10 g/60 kg) by analysis of biochemical parameters (transaminases, bilirubin), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and histological sections. high performance liquid chromatography analysis was also performed for partial characterization. Results: A considerable hypoglycemic effect was noticed 2 h after the STZ-induction, with a higher …

Depression, Anxiety, And Their Relation With Clinical Parametersand Androgen Levels In Hirsute Women, Leyla Irak, Hali̇se Çinar Yavuz, Berçem Ayçi̇çek Doğan, Türkan Mete, Di̇lek Berker, Serdar Güler

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among patients with hirsutism and to evaluate the relationships of anxiety and depression with clinical parameters and androgen levels. Materials and methods: One hundred and seven women with hirsutism were enrolled in the study. All participants completed standardized questionnaires to assess depression (Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)) and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)). The Ferriman-Gallwey (FG) scores, body mass indexes (BMIs), homeostatic model assessments of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and serum androgen levels of all patients were obtained. Results: Seventy-four of the 107 patients (69.15%) had BDI …

The Relationship Of Mean Platelet Volume With Microalbuminuriain Type 2 Diabetic Patients, Seyi̇t Murat Bayram, Gül Gürsoy, Asli Araz Güngör, Fati̇h Güngör, Eray Atalay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Activation and size of platelets have been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association of mean platelet volume with microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and methods: Mean platelet volume levels were investigated in healthy participants and type 2 diabetic patients with and without microalbuminuria. After their mean platelet volume values were compared, correlation of mean platelet volume with sex, duration of diabetes, microalbuminuria, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, creatinine clearance, and body mass index was examined. Results: Mean platelet volume …

Total White Blood Cell Count, Liver Enzymes, And Metabolic Syndrome In Schizophrenia, Görkem Karakaş Uğurlu, Semra Ulusoy Kaymak, Mustafa Uğurlu, Si̇bel Örsel, Ali̇ Çayköylü

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important clinical issue in patients with schizophrenia, but its associated factors are still ambiguous. The aim of the present study was to test whether there are any associations between MetS and white blood cell (WBC) levels, liver enzymes, or sociodemographic variables. Materials and methods: The study included 91 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. We used the National Cholesterol Education Program's Third Adult Treatment Protocol criteria to evaluate MetS in patients. Schizophrenia patients with MetS were compared with those without MetS on the basis of demographic and clinical characteristics and total WBC counts. We …

The Simple Chordate Ciona Intestinalis Has A Reduced Complement Of Genes Associated With Fanconi Anemia, Edward C. Stanley, Paul A. Azzinaro, David A. Vierra, Niall G. Howlett, Steven Q. Irvine

Cell and Molecular Biology Faculty Publications

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a human genetic disease characterized by congenital defects, bone marrow failure, and increased cancer risk. FA is associated with mutation in one of 24 genes. The protein products of these genes function cooperatively in the FA pathway to orchestrate the repair of DNA interstrand cross-links. Few model organisms exist for the study of FA. Seeking a model organism with a simpler version of the FA pathway, we searched the genome of the simple chordate Ciona intestinalis for homologs of the human FA-associated proteins. BLAST searches, sequence alignments, hydropathy comparisons, maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis, and structural modeling …

Determinants Of Spread In An Urban Landscape By An Introduced Lizard, Jason J. Kolbe, Paul Vanmiddlesworth, Andrew C. Battles, James T. Stroud, Bill Buffum, Richard T. T. Forman, Jonathan B. Losos

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Urban landscapes are a mixture of built structures, human-altered vegetation, and remnant semi-natural areas. The spatial arrangement of abiotic and biotic conditions resulting from urbanization doubtless influences the establishment and spread of non-native species in a city.

Objectives: We investigated the effects of habitat structure, thermal microclimates, and species coexistence on the spread of a non-native lizard (Anolis cristatellus) in the Miami metropolitan area of South Florida (USA).

Methods: We used transect surveys to estimate lizard occurrence and abundance on trees and to measure vegetation characteristics, and we assessed forest cover and impervious surface using GIS. We …

17 Human-Car Confluence: “Socially-Inspired Driving Mechanisms”, Andreas Riener, Myounghoon Jeon, Alois Ferscha

Department of Psychology and Human Factors Publications

With self-driving vehicles announced for the 2020s, today’s challenges in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) lie in problems related to negotiation and decision making in (spontaneously formed) car collectives. Due to the close coupling and interconnectedness of the involved driver-vehicle entities, effects on the local level induced by cognitive capacities, behavioral patterns, and the social context of drivers, would directly cause changes on the macro scale. To illustrate, a driver’s fatigue or emotion can influence a local driver-vehicle feedback loop, which is directly translated into his or her driving style, and, in turn, can affect driving styles of all nearby drivers. …

American Agribusiness & Biotechnology: A New Era Of Farming, Nicole M. Ryan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In the past fifty years there has been an incredible amount of change made to the agrarian system of the United States. New discoveries in the realm of biotechnology led to the adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture, and transformed the industry. Due to regulatory policies set during the nineteen-eighties this technology was able to benefit from widespread commercialization.

Today, we see the effects of this approach and are entering into a highly volatile political climate in regard to GMOs. This paper aims to provide an analysis of the regulatory system in place and the discrepancies that exist …

Health Theater, Govind Persad

Loyola University Chicago Law Journal

“Security theater” has been defined as an effort to “provide the feeling of security instead of the reality.” The concept of security theater has been discussed in both the popular press and academic literature, but has not yet entered health law. This project suggests that a parallel category of “health theater” picks out a set of practices in medical screening and health care delivery that provide a mere simulacrum of protection against medical risk, rather than providing genuine medical benefit. Part I summarizes some of the distinctive advantages and disadvantages of health and security theater. Like security theater, health theater …

Feed Efficiency And The Microbiota Of The Alimentary Tract, Harvey Freetly, Phillip Myer

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

There is considerable variation in the efficiency that cattle convert feed for maintenance and product (body weight gain, milk, and conceptus). Both intake and gain are polygenic traits and to better understand factors that contribute to variation in feed efficiency more defined phenotypes are needed. Several studies have associated differences in the microbiota of the alimentary tract between obese and non-obese rodents (Turnbaugh et al., 2006), obese and nonobese humans (Ley et al., 2006), and energy metabolism in birds (Torok et al., 2008 and Stanley et al., 2013). These finding suggest that there is a potential relationship between the microbiota …

Effect Of Direct-Fed Microbial Dosage On The Fecal Concentrations Of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli In Feedlot Cattle, Brandon E. Luedtke, Joseph M. Bosilevac, Dayna M. Harhay, Terrance M. Arthur

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Contamination of beef products by Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli is a concern for food safety with a particular subset, the enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), being the most relevant to human disease. To mitigate food safety risks, preharvest intervention strategies have been implemented with the aim to reduce EHEC in cattle. One class of interventions that has been widely used in feedlots is direct-fed microbials (DFMs), which can contain various dosing rates of probiotic bacteria. Here we compare the use of two different doses of a commercially available DFM on total EHEC load in a commercial feedlot setting. The DFMs used …

Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Strains Isolated From High-Event Period Beef Contamination Have Strong Biofilm-Forming Ability And Low Sanitizer Susceptibility, Which Are Associated With High Po157 Plasmid Copy Number, Rong Wang, Brandon E. Luedtke, Joseph M. Bosilevac, John W. Schmidt, Norasak Kalchayanand, Terrance M. Arthur

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

In the meat industry, a high-event period (HEP) is defined as a time period when beef processing establishments experience an increased occurrence of product contamination by Escherichia coli O157:H7. Our previous studies suggested that bacterial biofilm formation and sanitizer resistance might contribute to HEPs. We conducted the present study to further characterize E. coli O157:H7 strains isolated during HEPs for their potential to cause contamination and to investigate the genetic basis for their strong biofilm-forming ability and high sanitizer resistance. Our results show that, compared with the E. coli O157:H7 diversity control panel strains, the HEP strains had a significantly …