The myostatin gene, also known as GDF8 (growth differentiation factor 8), is located on bovine chromosome 2 (BTA2); it has three exons and two introns. Myostatin is specifically expressed during embryonic development and in adult skeletal muscle, functioning as a negative regulatory protein. Several cattle breeds (Piedmontese, Belgian Blue and Blond'Aquitaine, and others) show polymorphisms in ...

Correct projection of breakeven prices is essential to profitable cattle feeding. In order to calculate breakevens correctly, feedlot performance must be predicted accurately. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion (F/G), days on feed, carcass characteristics, morbidity and mortality can vary greatly from one group of cattle to another. This paper will revie...

A Texel muscling quantitative trait locus (TM-QTL) has been identified on chromosome 18, which increases loin muscling, but may also have a negative impact on mechanically-measured loin tenderness in crossbred lambs, depending on conditioning time. This study investigated the influence of a range of conditioning times (3, 5, 7 or 9 days) on the effect of TM-QTL on loin muscle tenderness. Using ...

With the adoption of visual instrument grading, the calculated yield grade can be used for payment to cattle producers selling on grid pricing systems. The USDA beef carcass grading standards include a relationship between required LM area (LMA) and HCW that is an important component of the final yield grade. As noted on a USDA yield grade LMA grid, a 272-kg (600-lb) carcass requires a 71-cm(2)...

let  be a banach algebra. let  be linear mappings on . first we demonstrate a theorem concerning the continuity of double derivations; especially that all of -double derivations are continuous on semi-simple banach algebras, in certain case. afterwards we define a new vocabulary called “-higher double derivation” and present a relation between this subject and derivations and finally give some ...

Knowledge of breed effects on carcass and pork quality traits is required to develop commercial crossbreeding programs that emphasize product quality. A 2 x 2 diallel mating system involving Landrace and Duroc pigs was used to estimate individual heterosis, direct breed effects and reciprocal cross differences for post-weaning growth, real-time ultrasound, carcass, and pork quality traits. Data...

In this issue of Molecular Pharmacology (p. 665), Pannacione et al. provide evidence of a role for the voltage-gated potassium channel alpha subunit Kv3.4 and its ancillary subunit MiRP2 in beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide-mediated neuronal death. The MiRP2-Kv3.4 channel complex-previously found to be important in skeletal myocyte physiology-is now argued to be a molecular correlate of the transien...