Abstract: A pesticidal compound that regulates programmed cell death pathways via the topical application of double strand RNA is disclosed. The compound is constructed as a specific-target pesticide that is a biosafe nucleic acid pesticide for pest control.

Abstract: Novel bacteriocins and/or the novel lactic acid-producing strains are used for at least reducing the levels of colonization by at least one target bacteria in animals, especially poultry.

Abstract: Anti-peptide monoclonal antibodies (MAb's) specific for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) are used for rapid diagnostic identification between poultry infected with vaccine strains of NDV (LaSota/B1) and END virus (ENDV). Exotic Newcastle Disease is a contagious and fatal viral disease of birds and poultry. The present invention provides for diagnostic detection of ENDV in commercial poultry.

Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms are useful for producing xylitol by fermentation of arabinose. The recombinant microorganisms are produced by transformation of host microorganisms with heterologous polynucleotide sequences coding for each of L-xylulose reductase, D-tagatose 3-epimerase, and L-arabinose isomerase, which transformants express the heterologous polynucleotides at a sufficient functional level to be effective to produce xylitol from arabinose. Production of xylitol is effected by contacting these recombinant microorganisms with a substrate comprising arabinose under conditions effective to produce xylitol from arabinose.

Abstract: A mutation in the gene encoding the P34 protein in soybean which affects allergenicity is characterized. Soybean homozygous for a mutant allele comprising a four base pair insertion at the start codon of the gene encoding the P34 protein, exhibit significantly reduced P34 protein accumulation. Nucleic acid samples of soybean may be assayed for the presence of this insertion to detect the mutant allele, and soybean containing the allele may be selected for breeding to generate reduced P34 soybean lines. Molecular markers have been developed for detecting the presence or absence of the four base pair insertion.

Abstract: Mannitol is produced in a highly efficient fermentative method using Lactobacillus intermedius NRRL B-30560, or in a biochemical method using mannitol dehydrogenase isolated from this strain. Fructose serves as the primary carbon substrate in both the fermentative and biochemical conversions, but important secondary carbon sources include glucose, maltose, mannose and galactose. Mannitol is useful in the food, pharmaceutical, and medicine industries as a sweet-tasting bodying and texturing agent.

Abstract: Water-in-oil priming emulsion vaccines increase the titers and/or avidity indexes of antibodies following a second dose of a commercial or experimental vaccine resulting in increased protection for disease in animal.

Abstract: A first plant species or a part thereof may be produced which has stably and heritably integrated therein one or more endophytic fungi which are derived from a second, different plant species. This first plant species is not a host plant for the endophytic fungi in nature. These resultant first plant species containing the endophytic fungi exhibit substantially increased vigor, altered morphology and chemistry, and increased reproductive potential compared to non-treated controls.

Abstract: A delivery system for UV-protective sunscreen agents, antioxidants, skin care agents, cosmetics and the like comprising feruloylated acylglycerols (FAG) and other cinnamate-modified vegetable oils (CMVO) incorporates the agents into starch-based composites. These composites permit the use of a lower level of CMVO for comparable UV protection than if the CMVO were used alone.

Abstract: A specific, non-synonymous SNP in the Prnp gene encoding the bovine prion protein affects the susceptibility of bovine animals to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Depending on the number of octapeptide repeat units present in the Prnp gene, the position of the SNP is either nucleotide 631 of exon 3 (codon 211) when the Prnp gene comprises six octapeptide repeat region sequences, nucleotide 607 of exon 3 (codon 203) when the Prnp gene comprises five octapeptide repeat region sequences, or nucleotide 655 of exon 3 (codon 219) when the Prnp gene comprises seven octapeptide repeat region sequences. Alleles of the bovine Prnp wherein the SNP at these positions is lysine (K) at the corresponding amino acids (i.e., 211, 203 or 219) in the bovine prion protein are all indicative of increased susceptibility to BSE in comparison to alleles which encode glutamic acid (E) at the same position.

Abstract: Hybridoma cell lines which produce and secrete monoclonal antibodies which selectively bind to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis have been produced. Cells of M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis in biological samples may be detected and quantified by contacting the sample with the antibodies to form a M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis/antibody immunocomplex when M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis is present, which immunocomplex may then be detected. The monoclonal antibodies also may be incorporated into kits for the detection and quantification of M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis.

Abstract: Biodegradable solid soil amendment material such as poultry litter may be disposed of in soil using an apparatus which includes a soil cutter for cutting a trench and a dispenser for transporting the material and simultaneously grinding or shearing the material and distributing it to the trenches in the soil. The receptacle includes a plurality of troughs across its bottom surface, each having an outlet at one end thereof, and corresponding screw augers therein for distributing and transporting the material to the outlets. As the material is transported toward each of the outlets by the augers it is crushed or ground to a small size. This apparatus allows the material to be dispensed through the multiple outlets at a substantially steady, uniform rate.

Abstract: Chars may be produced by carbonization or pyrolysis of poultry manure. Chars produced from poultry manure by the method described herein exhibit enhanced activity for metal ion adsorption.

Abstract: Value-added compositions such as mulches, insulation, and animal bedding may be produced from cotton waste. These compositions are formed from mixtures of at least two cellulosic, biofiber components, wherein one or both of the components are fiberized. The compositions of this invention include mixtures of: a. a first cellulosic component of cotton byproducts, and b. a second cellulosic component which is visible to the naked eye, and which includes hay, grass, kenaf, straw, plant residue remaining following the harvest of crops such as cereal grains, rice, soybeans, and grass seed, wood, sawdust, wood pulp, paper, or mixtures of any of the above, wherein one or both of the first or second cellulosic component are fiberized and the fibers of the fiberized component are intermixed with and entangled about the other component in a 3-dimensional matrix.

Abstract: An assembly for dispensing sterile lancets one at a time from a clip holding a plurality of lancets is described. The assembly is configured to dispense the lancets easily and conveniently under laboratory conditions where the lancet user is gloved and must manipulate the dispenser using only one hand while holding the animal being bled in the other. The assembly and its components are made of polycarbonate and rubber and are therefore capable of being sterilized by steam autoclaving methods or by other means of sterilization.

Abstract: Zein articles are prepared by a melt process where zein is mixed with glyoxal and an inorganic base solution at temperatures above about 40° C. The melt processing can take as a batch process (e.g., as in a torque rheometer) or in a continuous process (e.g., as in reaction extrusion using a screw extruder). This process provides a zein article that has greatly reduced solubility in most of the standard organic solvents that will dissolve unaltered zein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods employing the compositions for attracting arthropods. The compositions comprise at least one compound of formula I and at least one compound from group II.

Abstract: One or more mechanical, electrical or chemical application devices, chemical agents, and/or identification information may be carried by an apparatus worn on the heads of animals. The apparatus comprises a first 3-dimensional loop-shaped member having first and second opposed inner and outer surfaces, a third outer surface extending between the first and second surfaces, and an interior opening extending therethrough from the first surface to the second surface. The loop-shaped member is of a size sufficient to fit over one ear or horn of the animal with the animal's ear or horn protruding through the opening, the first inner surface facing the head of the animal, and the second outer surface facing away from the head of the animal.

Abstract: The immune response of an animal to a target immunogen may be enhanced by use of a novel adjuvant which includes low concentrations of killed cells of Mycobacterium avium subspecies avium in combination with mineral oil. The adjuvant may be used in vaccine compositions for the immunization of an animal against any target immunogen, and is particularly preferred for use with immunocontraceptive vaccines such as GnRH and PZP immunocontraceptive vaccines.

Abstract: The novel germ-line transformation systems disclosed in this patent application allow the physical deletion of transposon DNA following the transformation process, and the targeting of transgene integrations into predefined target sites. In this way, transposase-mediated mobilization of genes-of-interest is excluded mechanistically and random genomic integrations eliminated. In contrast to conventional germ-line transformation technology, our systems provide enhanced stability to the transgene insertion. Furthermore, DNA sequences required for the transgene modification (e.g. transformation marker genes, transposase or recombinase target sites), are largely removed from the genome after the final transgene insertion, thereby eliminating the possibility for instability generated by these processes.