Michigan Research Articles

Transfer RNA as a written molecular history of the life transition on earth

Transfer RNA as a written molecular history of the life transition on earth Zachary Burton, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, reports on tRNA (transfer RNA) as a written molecular history of the pre-life to life transition on Earth ~4 billion years ago. Friends, coders, gamers, puzzlers, historians, linguists, geneticists, lend me your brief attention. I come to report history recorded ~4 billion years ago during pre-life, inscribed and preserved in genetic code and tRNA sequence. The pre-life sequence of tRNA (transfer RNA) was recorded in the tRNA sequences of living organisms, preserving a historic record ~4 billion years after its initial composition. As such, tRNA sequences in living organisms record events that occurred before life began on Earth. By this measure, tRNA sequence is a molecular fossil of the pre-life to life transition, and tRNA sequences relate a simple story that is the core history of the pre-life to life transition.

Registration of ‘Coral’ pink bean

Abstract‘Coral’ (Reg. no. CV‐359, PI 705151) pink bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), developed by Michigan State University AgBioResearch was released in 2022 as a midseason, disease‐resistant, upright short vine bean cultivar with uniform dry down. Coral was developed with the pedigree breeding method to the F4 generation followed by pure line selection for disease, agronomic, and quality traits. Coral combines high yield potential with midseason maturity in a pink bean seed type. Over the span of 6 years of field trials, Coral produced an average yield of 3228 kg ha−1, flowered at 46 days, and matured in 97 days. Plants averaged 48 cm in height, with a lodging resistance score of 1.4, and seed size of 42 g 100 seed−1. Notably, Coral has outperformed ‘Rosetta’ by 8% across the 6‐year trial period and reached maturity 1 day earlier. It is well adapted to the intensively managed, narrow‐row, direct‐harvested production systems where beans are typically grown in Michigan and the Upper Midwest. Coral exhibits resistance to Bean common mosaic virus, is susceptible to anthracnose, has shown tolerance to common bacterial blight, and white mold. Additionally, it demonstrated tolerance to root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani similar to Rosetta. Seed size of Coral (42 g 100 seed−1) is larger than Rosetta (37 g 100 seed−1). Seed of Coral meets industry standards for packaging and canning quality in the pink bean seed class.

Registration of ‘Denali’ white kidney bean

Abstract‘Denali’ (Reg. no. CV‐360, PI 705152) white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), developed by Michigan State University AgBioResearch, was released in 2022 as a midseason, disease‐resistant, bush bean cultivar with uniform dry down. Denali was developed with the pedigree breeding method to the F4 generation followed by pure line selection for disease, agronomic, and quality traits. In 8 years of field trials across Michigan, Denali yielded 3500 kg ha−1, flowered in 37 d, and matured in 97days on average. Plants averaged 46 cm in height, with a lodging resistance score of 1.3 and seed size of 62 g 100 seed−1. Denali combines high yield potential with midseason maturity in a white kidney seed type. Denali outyielded ‘Beluga’ by 13% years and matured 5 days earlier. It is well adapted to the irrigated production systems on coarse‐textured soils where kidney beans are typically grown in Michigan and the Upper Midwest. Denali is resistant to Bean common mosaic virus and exhibits significantly higher levels of tolerance to root rot than ‘ND Whitetail’. Tolerance to common bacterial blight and white mold exhibited by Denali is comparable with ND Whitetail, ‘Yeti’, and ‘Snowdon’. Denali is susceptible to anthracnose. Seed size of Denali (0.62 g) is slightly smaller than Snowdon (0.69 g) and equivalent to seed produced by other white kidney bean cultivars. Seed of Denali meets industry standards for packaging and canning quality in the white kidney bean seed class.

Surgical Strategy for Lumbar Disc Herniation based on the MSU Classification: Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy versus Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A 5-year Retrospective Study.

Currently, there is no established guideline on whether to opt for percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) or traditional transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery based on specific types of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Based on the Michigan State University (MSU) classification system, this study conducted a medium- to long-term follow-up analysis of two surgical methods over 5 years for the first time, aiming to provide empirical evidence to assist in making more informed decisions before surgery for LDH treatment. This was a retrospective study that included 273 patients with single-level LDH who underwent PELD or TLIF treatment at our hospital between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018. Detailed metrics included preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry disability index (ODI) at 1-day, 1-week, 1-year, and 5-year follow-ups. Complications, recurrences, and 5-year postoperative modified MacNab criteria scores were also recorded. Statistical methods included independent sample t-tests, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and χ2 tests. Classified into seven groups according to the MSU classification, it was found that there was an improvement in the VAS and ODI scores at four postoperative follow-ups (p < 0.001). PELD showed better results than TLIF in reducing pain and improving the ODI scores in the classifications of 3B, 2B, and 2C (p < 0.05). TLIF demonstrated consistent superiority over PELD in 2A, 2AB, 3A, and 3AB classifications (p < 0.05). The total recurrence rate in the PELD group (11.05%) within 5 years after surgery was higher (p < 0.05) than that in the TLIF group (3.96%). These were mainly concentrated in the 2A, 2AB, 3A, and 3AB types. Moreover, the rate of excellent and good outcomes in the PELD was higher than in the TLIF but no significant difference (χ2 = 1.0568, p = 0.5895). This study suggests that PELD and TLIF may relieve LDH, but have advantages under different MSU classifications. The MSU classification has specific guiding significance and could aid in the surgical selection of PELD or TLIF to achieve optimal treatment outcomes for patients with lumbar disc herniation.

Improved social equity learning in an introduction to sustainability course

Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact on diverse students’ social equity outcome measures that result from incorporating social justice education and inclusive practices into an introductory course on sustainability offered online asynchronously, online synchronously and in-person. Design/methodology/approach From fall 2020 to fall 2021, 706 students took “Introduction to Sustainability” at Michigan State University. A revised curriculum increased inclusive practices and social justice content centered on race and other social identities; institutional, individual and implicit bias; interrupting bias; socialization; and spheres of influence. Students’ self-reported change was examined using a retrospective pre/post survey. Findings Students reported significant growth in social equity understanding and practice across teaching modes with in-person instruction associated with the largest reported growth. Students reported growth regardless of their racial/ethnic identity or gender, with instructor effects varying in expected ways. The gap in social equity understanding between students with low precourse ratings (on outcome measures) and those with high precourse ratings was significantly smaller after the course. Research limitations/implications This study is not without limitations. First, the authors were limited in the student-specific information that they could collect. Second, the authors did not have access to an alternative course that could serve as a control. Third, the authors did not have the resources to also conduct an in-depth, thorough qualitative study. Furthermore, the authors did not conduct their investigation during “normal” campus life because it took place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic was a factor that could not be accounted for and might have impacted the outcomes. Originality/value This study is novel in identifying and incorporating specific social justice education material, tools and practices for improved teaching of social equity components of sustainability.

Vaccine Hesitancy in HIV Patients Following the COVID-19 Pandemics

Introduction: The prevalence of vaccine hesitancy has been on the rise for several years in the United States leading up to the Covid19 pandemic. During the pandemic, there was controversy and media attention surrounding the effectiveness and safety of the Covid19 vaccine, with many individuals, including patients with HIV, refusing vaccination, despite evidence of its benefit. There are further concerns that patients with HIV are reluctant to receive additional vaccines that existed prior to the Covid19 pandemic. In this study, we evaluated the rate of refusal of non-Covid19 vaccines in the pre- and post-period after release of the Covid19 vaccine. Methods: We measured and compared the number of vaccines offered and refused at each visit over the total number of visits for 195 patients with HIV during a pre-Covid (approximately 18 months before the release of the Pfizer vaccine to the public on August 23, 2021) and post-Covid period (approximately 18 months after the previously mentioned date). The vaccines studied included the following: tetanus, pneumococcal, shingles, hepatitis A/B, and influenza. The data was collected using hospital records from Athena and Cerner, as well as Michigan State Records. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Pearson’s correlation were performed for the Covid19 vaccine statistics. In all statistical tests, a p-value less than 0.05 was taken to indicate statistical significance. Results: Collectively, there were more refusals in the period after release of the Covid19 vaccine for non-Covid19 vaccines. This was also the case for all individual vaccines, except Hepatitis A. There was an overall statistically significant difference (p &lt;0.001) in the distribution of vaccine refusals between the pre-Covid19 and post-Covid19 period. This was observed for the Pneumococcal (p=0.026), Hepatitis B (p=0.035), and Shingles vaccine (p &lt;0.001) respectively. The Covid19 vaccine was more likely to be refused in female patients (p=0.005), non-white patients (p=0.02), and younger patients (p=0.04, r= -0.21). Discussion/Conclusion: This study provides evidence that there is an increase in non-Covid19 vaccine hesitancy following the release of the Covid19 vaccine in patients with HIV at Ascension St. John Hospital. Given the small size of the study population and this study being an initial evaluation, more will need to be performed. This is to further test these findings in other regions of the United States.

Did Avoiding Post-Acute Skilled Nursing Facility Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic Save Lives?

Context: During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients using post-acute care generally avoided skilled nursing facilities, presumably to reduce their chance of illness and death. However, staying at home after an acute inpatient hospitalization carries its own risks. Objectives: To assess whether avoiding skilled nursing facilities in 2020 saved lives and whether this behavior also led to a change in readmission rates. Methods: Retrospective cohort study using Medicare Fee-for-Service medical claims data for patients in Michigan. Findings: Between 2019 and 2020, use of skilled nursing facilities fell by 8 percentage points, which was not due to a change in patient characteristics. The reduction in use of post-acute skilled nursing facility care was associated with a 23.3% lower 90-day mortality rate during the COVID-19 pandemic than otherwise expected, and 117 saved lives. There was also a small increase in the readmission rate across years. Finally, between-group disparities worsened, with the vast majority of the reduction in both mortality and readmissions seen among patients who were not dually eligible for Medicaid. Limitations: The data are limited to the state of Michigan. Implications: Findings from this study should be used to inform health professionals of the benefits and risk of post-acute care following hospitalization during times of increased disease transmission. Extra consideration should be given to the post-acute care and outcomes of dual-eligible patients.

(065) ARE CLINICS THAT DO NOT HAVE A MSCP-CERTIFIED PROVIDER MORE LIKELY TO OFFER GUIDELINE-NON-CONCORDANT TREATMENT?

Abstract Introduction Menopausal hormone therapy is the most efficacious option for treating vasomotor symptoms, the genitourinary syndrome of menopause, and to prevent fractures and bone loss. However, publication of contradictory evidence about the risks associated with menopausal hormone therapy and changing recommendations created confusion among patients and providers about how best to manage symptoms. Because providers with varying degrees and specialties may take care of midlife women, and there is no specific certification required to offer menopause treatment, The Menopause Society established its competency exam in 2002 to set the standard for menopause care and assist women in locating clinicians who provide optimal menopause-related care. Objective To identify clinics advertising menopause treatment in Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania and evaluate whether clinics not affiliated with a MSCP-certified provider are more likely to offer guideline-non-concordant treatment compared to clinics affiliated with a MSCP- certified provider. Methods We performed an internet search to identify clinics providing menopause treatment in Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. From each clinic’s website we abstracted the location, whether the clinic offered guideline-non-concordant treatment (hormone testing, bioidentical “hormone menopause therapy (HRT)”, or compounded HRT), whether the clinic advertised that menopausal hormone therapy(MHT) would promote youthful appearance or weight loss, and whether the clinic accepted insurance. We checked clinic personnel against the Menopause Society directory of practitioners to determine if the clinic was affiliated with a MSCP-certified provider. We used Fisher’s exact test to evaluate association between affiliation with a MSCP provider and guideline-non-concordant care, inaccurate claims about MHT, and accepting insurance. Our primary outcome was odds of offering hormone testing. Results We identified 174 clinics (41% in OH, 28% in PA, and 31% in MI). 13% of clinics were affiliated with a MSCP-certified provider. Clinics with a MSCP-certified provider are significantly more less likely to advertise hormone testing (primary outcome, OR = 0.11, 95% confidence interval: 0.02 to 0.39), compounded hormone therapy (OR = 0.06, 95% confidence interval: 0.001 to 0.41), and bioidentical hormone therapy (OR = 0.07, 95% confidence interval: 0.001 to 0.26), compared to clinics without a MSCP-certified provider. MSCP provider-affiliated clinics are also less likely to advertise that hormone replacement therapy will help maintain youth or help with weight loss (Table). Clinics with a MSCP-certified provider are more likely to accept insurance (OR = 7.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.59 to 72.29). Conclusions Our research has shown that in the states of Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, MSCP-certified providers were more likely to adhere to the Menopause Society’s guidelines and not advertise for compounded or bioidentical hormones, recommend hormone testing, or advertise hormones for a youthful appearance or weight loss. These clinics were also more likely to accept insurance. Providers who work with midlife women should consider obtaining their MSCP certification to remain current with evidence-based practice and make it easier for patients to locate a provider who is following the most up to date guidelines. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Astellas.

Maternal Body Mass Index Associates with Prenatal Characteristics and Fecal Microbial Communities.

The maternal microbiome plays a vital role in shaping pregnancy outcomes, but there remains a substantial gap in understanding its precise relationships to maternal health, particularly in relation to potential effects of body mass index (BMI) on gut microbial diversity. The aim of this observational study was to assess maternal characteristics in association with pre-pregnancy BMI and to further assess microbial diversity in association with specific maternal characteristics. Eighty-four pregnant women were recruited during their third trimester of pregnancy from various prenatal clinics across the state of Michigan. The participants completed an enrollment questionnaire including self-reported pre-pregnancy BMI; stool samples were collected to assess the fecal microbial community composition. Pre-pregnancy obesity (BMI 30+) was associated (univariably) with antibiotic use before pregnancy, ever smoked, lower education level, and being unmarried. The gut microbiota alpha diversity was significantly different for pregnant women by pre-pregnancy BMI category (normal, overweight, obese). The beta diversity was unique for the gut microbiotas of pregnant women within each BMI category, by education level, and by marital status. Multivariable models revealed that pre-pregnancy BMI, maternal education, marital status, and maternal age were associated with the microbial diversity of the gut microbiota during pregnancy. These results give new insight into the relationship between a woman's microbiome during pregnancy and their prenatal health, along with an understanding of the relationships between socioeconomic factors and microbial diversity.

One Classroom, Different Perspectives: Promoting Mutual Understanding between “Secular” and “Religious” Students of Islamic Studies in Russia and the United States

Abstract The article discusses the results from several co-taught courses in Islamic studies shared as a virtual exchange between the University of Michigan (U-M), USA, and Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU), Russian Federation. These courses were designed and taught to expand the range of perspectives to which students were exposed and allow them to learn how their study subject is conceptualized and studied by their peers in the partner country. The SPbU student cohort included graduates of Islamic religious colleges from different regions of the Russian Federation who shared the classroom with “secular” university students specializing in Islamic studies. The U-M cohort included students of various religious, ethnic, and academic backgrounds. In addition to weekly online meetings, the international teams met virtually outside class to prepare questions for weekly synchronous discussions and to work on a group presentation to be delivered at the end of the semester.

Patients with Acute Lower Limb Ischemia Continue to Have Significant Morbidity and Mortality

The treatment of acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI) has evolved over the last several decades with the availability of several new treatment modalities. This study was undertaken to evaluate the contemporary presentation and outcomes of ALLI patients. We retrospectively analyzed data from a prospectively collected database of all patients who presented to our tertiary referral hospital with acute ischemia of the lower extremity between May 2016 and October 2020. The cause of death was obtained from the Michigan State Death Registry. During the study period, 233 patients (251 lower limbs) were evaluated for ALLI. Seventy-three percent had thrombotic occlusion, 24% had embolic occlusion, and 3% due to a low flow state. Rutherford classification of ischemia severity was 7%, 49%, 40%, and 4% for Rutherford grade I, IIA, IIB, and III, respectively. Five percent underwent primary amputations, and 6% received medical therapy only. The mean length of stay was 11±9days. Nineteen percent of patients were readmitted within 30days of discharge. At 30days postoperatively, mortality was 9% and limb loss was 19%. On multivariate analysis, 1 or no vessel runoff to the foot postoperatively was associated with higher 30-day limb loss. Patients with no run-off vessels postoperatively had significantly higher 30-day mortality. Cardiovascular complications accounted for most deaths (48%). At 1-year postoperatively, mortality and limb loss reached 17% and 34%, respectively. Despite advances in treatment modalities and cardiovascular care, patients presenting with ALLI continue to have high mortality, limb loss, and readmission rates at 30days.

Individualized Surgeon Reports in a Statewide Registry: A Pathway to Improved Outcomes.

Despite progress with the development of joint replacement registries in the United States, surgeons may have limited opportunities to determine the cumulative outcome of their own patients or understand how those outcomes compare with their peers; this information is important for quality improvement. In order to provide surgeons with accurate data, it is first necessary to have a registry with complete coverage and patient matching. Some international registries have accomplished this. Building on a comprehensive statewide registry in the United States, a surgeon-specific report has been developed to provide surgeons with survivorship and complication data, which allows comparisons with other surgeons in the state. This article describes funnel plots, cumulative sum reports, complication-specific data, and patient-reported outcome measure data, which are provided to hip and knee arthroplasty surgeons with the goal of improving quality, decreasing variability in the delivery of care, and leading to improved value and outcomes for hip and knee arthroplasty in the state of Michigan.

Điều trị bảo tồn thoát vị đĩa đệm cột sống thắt lưng: phác đồ kết hợp sóng ngắn, xoa bóp bấm huyệt, điện châm và kéo giãn cột sống

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of conservatively treating lumbar disc herniation using a combination protocol consisting of shortwave therapy, acupressure massage, electroacupuncture, and spinal traction therapy. Subjects and Methods: A clinical trial comparing before-and-after treatment outcomes in 150 patients diagnosed and classified according to the Michigan State University (MSU) classification on lumbar spine MRI films. Patients underwent intervention with a protocol combining shortwave therapy, acupressure, electroacupuncture, and mechanical spinal traction therapy for a minimum of 15 days, with assessment every 5 days during intervention. Evaluation criteria included treatment duration, pain intensity (VAS), and lumbar spine flexibility (schober test). Results: After an average treatment duration of 15.9 (1.71) days, all participating patients showed significant improvement in pain symptoms and lumbar spine mobility. Patients in level I exhibited shorter average treatment durations and experienced better pain reduction and improvement in lumbar spine mobility compared to patients in grades II-III, with statistically significant differences (p &lt; 0.05). No serious adverse effects were recorded during the intervention protocol. Conclusion: The combined protocol of shortwave therapy, acupressure, electroacupuncture, and spinal traction therapy effectively reduces pain and improves lumbar spine mobility in lumbar disc herniation patients. It demonstrates safety when used in a clinical.

Teaching Black Diaspora Stories with Digital Archives in the Classroom

One of the prime difficulties in the current teaching environment is educating students to make use of research skills that teach them not only how to be good historians but also how to be critical thinkers who can engage and evaluate sources. This piece focuses on the use of well-managed digital archives, which provide students with a focused set of research materials that help build a foundational point of historical inquiry. In addition to discussing the pedagogical benefits of such research, emphasis is also placed on specific assignments centered on several online databases, including “The Land Act Legacy Project Collection” of the South African History Archive (SAHA), the African Activist Archive of Michigan State University, and the “Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers’ Project, 1936 to 1938” of the Library of Congress. If these current times have taught anything, it is that digital literacy and proper research methods are essential components in understanding information during times of political and cultural change. By engaging with the stories in these digital archives, students learn about the diversity of opinions and opportunities that defined these stories of the Black diaspora throughout the twentieth century and beyond.

Global research status and trends of enteric glia: a bibliometric analysis

BackgroundEnteric glia are essential components of the enteric nervous system. Previously believed to have a passive structural function, mounting evidence now suggests that these cells are indispensable for maintaining gastrointestinal homeostasis and exert pivotal influences on both wellbeing and pathological conditions. This study aimed to investigate the global status, research hotspots, and future directions of enteric glia.MethodsThe literature on enteric glia research was acquired from the Web of Science Core Collection. VOSviewer software (v1.6.19) was employed to visually represent co-operation networks among countries, institutions, and authors. The co-occurrence analysis of keywords and co-citation analysis of references were conducted using CiteSpace (v6.1.R6). Simultaneously, cluster analysis and burst detection of keywords and references were performed.ResultsA total of 514 publications from 36 countries were reviewed. The United States was identified as the most influential country. The top-ranked institutions were University of Nantes and Michigan State University. Michel Neunlist was the most cited author. “Purinergic signaling” was the largest co-cited reference cluster, while “enteric glial cells (EGCs)” was the cluster with the highest number of co-occurring keywords. As the keyword with the highest burst strength, Crohns disease was a hot topic in the early research on enteric glia. The burst detection of keywords revealed that inflammation, intestinal motility, and gut microbiota may be the research frontiers.ConclusionThis study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of enteric glia research. EGCs have emerged as a crucial link between neurons and immune cells, attracting significant research attention in neurogastroenterology. Their fundamental and translational studies on inflammation, intestinal motility, and gut microbiota may promote the treatment of some gastrointestinal and parenteral disorders.

The pulsed effects of reintroducing wolves on the carnivore community of Isle Royale

Large carnivores are being globally reintroduced with the goal of restoring ecological interactions. However, the extent that competitive interactions are restored within communities is often unclear. In a before–after study within Isle Royale National Park (in the US state of Michigan), we quantified the spatial, behavioral, trophic, and demographic effects of the reintroduction of a large carnivore (gray wolf; Canis lupus) on meso‐carnivores (red fox; Vulpes vulpes) and small carnivores (American marten; Martes americana). The wolf reintroduction produced a phase‐dependent pulse perturbation: wolves constrained the distribution of foxes, thereby benefiting martens, yet foxes altered their behavior, notably using human‐provided resource subsidies (campsites and food) more frequently, which buffered demographic consequences. Once wolf packs coalesced, all observed changes subsided, and competitive interactions returned to their pre‐wolf values. Our results show that some predicted—and often desired—consequences of large carnivore reintroductions may not be permanent due to the transitory dynamics of social carnivores and the presence of humans, even within a “pristine wilderness”.

Briefs

University cancels valedictorian speech, citing pro‐Palestine safety concerns Michigan State investigating alleged hate crime University police officers to respond to off‐campus safety concerns amid officer shortage University hospital employee living under fake identity for 30 years

Tracing womyn-born-womyn & trans-exclusion: Into the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival archive

Few events evoke a divisive response amongst lesbians like the mentioning of the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival. Autoethnographies, interviews, podcasts, and books – just to name a few – continue to be crafted even after the forty-year festival’s end. Unlike previous publications, this article approaches the festival using archival materials housed at Michigan State University donated by producer, Lisa Vogel, to unpack the signaling rhetoric of womyn-born-womyn (WBW). I center the experience Nancy Burkholder, a transsexual woman expelled from the festival, to navigate, as Nancy tried to navigate, the WBW “policy.” I then take readers on a journey into the archive and articulate my research through calculated steps of tracing language through years of the festival. This article demonstrates how documents, created by festival producers, incited confusion for Nancy Burkholder during the festival and how these same documents now sustain an archival ambiguity.

Insights into Impact: Evaluating an Adult Leadership Program Offered through Michigan State University Extension

Agriculture, food, and natural resource (AFNR) systems need leaders to catalyze positive change. Thus, Extension professionals have consistently developed innovative and impactful leadership programming. In the current study, the alumni of one such program in Michigan were surveyed to evaluate the sustained impact of the program. Program alumni rated themselves highest in Empowerment and Perspective Development and perceived the strongest programmatic impact in Empowerment and Emotional Resilience. These data were further analyzed to create a “Leadership Impact Factor,” which illuminates the impact of a program using a single number. Recommendations are made for Extension professionals facilitating similar leadership education programming.

212 Growth and behavior of Yorkshire gilts exhibiting physiological resilience to weaning stress

Abstract Weaning is an acute early-life stressor and therefore, an excellent model for examining lasting impacts of stress resilience. Our objective was to identify gilts exhibiting physiological resilience or vulnerability to weaning stress and characterize long-term impact on growth and behavior. Purebred Yorkshire litters born to multiparous sows from a single farrowing group were used. At weaning (26 ± 1 d of age), blood samples were collected from all gilt piglets of 13 litters (n = 101) at -1 d, 0 d, and +4 d pre- and post-weaning. Serum cortisol concentrations were quantified by the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. For each litter, serum cortisol was used to identify the gilt most capable of returning to baseline concentrations by +4 d as stress resilient (SR, n = 13) and the gilt least capable as stress vulnerable (SV, n = 13). Skin lesions were recorded at -1 d, +1 d, and +4 d at weaning and when gilts were mixed into grow-finish cohorts. Body weights were recorded at birth, 4 wk, 8 wk, and 12 wk and used to calculate average daily gain (ADG) for the farrowing, nursery, and early grow-finish stages. To assess behavior, focal gilts underwent a social dyad test in a novel arena at 7 wk, a handling test at 8 wk, and novel object test at 12 wk. We observed no differences in skin lesions at weaning, but at 8 wk SR gilts had significantly more rear lesions -1 d pre-mixing (P = 0.031) and middle lesions 4 d post-mixing (P = 0.049). No differences in body weight or ADG were observed at any stage. We did not observe differences between SR and SV pigs during the social dyad or handling tests. During the novel object test, SR gilts exhibited a tendency towards increased activity as demonstrated by a greater number of total zone crosses, 1 m line crosses, and 0.5 m line crosses (P = 0.062, 0.091, and 0.103, respectively). In conclusion, we found gilts resilient to weaning stress were involved in more agonistic behavior at mixing and exhibited increased activity levels in a novel situation. The absence of growth differences supports the potential to select for resilience without negatively impacting growth performance, and the observed behavioral differences could suggest implications for ease of handling and adaptability if females are retained for breeding.