Genetics of equine bleeding disorders

Genetic bleeding disorders can have a profound impact on a horse's health and athletic career. As such, it is important to understand the mechanisms of these diseases and how they are diagnosed. These diseases include haemophilia A, von Willebrand disease, prekallikrein deficiency, Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia and Atypical Equine Thrombasthenia. Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage also has a proposed genetic component. Genetic mutations have been identified for haemophilia A and Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia in the horse. Mutations are known for von Willebrand disease and prekallikrein deficiency in other species. In the absence of genetic tests, bleeding disorders are typically diagnosed by measuring platelet function, von Willebrand factor, and other coagulation protein levels and activities. For autosomal recessive diseases, genetic testing can prevent the breeding of two carriers.     

Altered vitamin D metabolic system in follicular cysts of sows

This study aimed to examine 25OHD₃ concentration in the fluid of follicular and follicular lutein cysts of sows in comparison with preovulatory follicles as well as immunolocalize vitamin D metabolic enzymes (CYP27B1 and CYP24A1) and determine their protein abundances in the cyst wall. We have shown for the first time that 25OHD₃ level in the fluid of both cyst types was significantly lower than in preovulatory follicles. Furthermore, we have demonstrated CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 protein immunolocalization and abundance in follicular and follicular lutein cysts. The abundance of protein for both metabolic enzymes was decreased in ovarian cysts when compared to preovulatory follicles. We propose that altered VD metabolism in ovarian cyst might associate with their formation in sows.     

A pioneering survey of deep-diving and off-shore cetaceans in the northern South China Sea

A pioneering boat-based survey was conducted in 2019, to gather baseline information regarding the presence, composition, relative abundance, and spatial distribution of deep-diving and off-shore cetaceans in the northern South China Sea (SCS). A total of 27 sightings comprising at least 8 cetacean species were recorded during the 13-day survey, including 5 deep-diving species (i.e. Risso's dolphin [Grampus griseus], short-finned pilot whale [Globicephala macrorhynchus], sperm whale [Physeter macrocephalus], Cuvier's beaked whale [Ziphius cavirostris], and an unidentified beaked whale [either the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, Mesoplodon ginkgodens, or Deraniyagala's beaked whale, Mesoplodon hotaula]), as well as 3 off-shore dolphins (i.e. pantropical spotted dolphin [Stenella attenuate], striped dolphin [Stenella coeruleoalba], and Fraser's dolphin [Lagenodelphis hosei]). With the exception of pantropical spotted dolphins, all other species were sighted and recorded at sea in the northern SCS for the first time. The pantropical spotted dolphin was the most frequently sighted species, comprising 30% of the total sightings. Deep-diving cetaceans were mainly sighted in the northern Xisha Archipelago, whereas off-shore dolphins were distributed across the survey area. The pantropical spotted dolphin was observed in aggregations of more than 100 individuals and nearly all encountered species included calves; these findings suggested that the survey area functions as an important feeding and calving ground for various cetacean species. This pioneering survey provides fundamental information regarding cetacean fauna in the northern SCS and highlights the need to strengthen research and conservation efforts concerning these species.     

Effect of Nitrogen Rate and the Environment on Physicochemical Properties of Selected High‐Amylose Rice Cultivars

Genetic marker haplotypes for the Waxy and alk genes are associated with amylose content and gelatinization temperature, respectively, and are used by breeders to develop rice cultivars that have physicochemical properties desired by the parboiling and canning industries. Cultivars that provide consistent processing quality across diverse production environments are important to the industry. This study determined if measures of processing quality differed among cultivars, fertility treatments, and production environments. Nine cultivars having high amylose content (>23.0%) but with different Waxy and alk haplotypes were evaluated in three environments and using three nitrogen fertility levels. Although environment and fertility levels significantly (P < 0.05) impacted protein content, gelatinization temperatures, and peak, trough, and final paste viscosities, cultivars performed consistently across production environments and fertility applications. Differences were observed among cultivars in paste viscosity measures and gelatinization temperatures that corresponded with their Waxy and alk haplotypes. However, discriminant analysis revealed subgroupings within the same Waxy and alk haplotypes that were primarily differentiated by trough paste viscosity. The results of this study demonstrated that although these high‐amylose cultivars had consistent ranking across environments and nitrogen fertility regimes, there were differences in rice processing quality traits that were not apparent from their Waxy and alk haplotypes.     

Effects of Cultivars,Organic Cropping Management,and Environment on Antioxidants in Whole Grain Rice

Whole grain rice contains functional antioxidants such as phenolics, flavonoids (including proanthocyanidins), vitamin E homologs (tocopherols and tocotrienols), and γ‐oryzanol that have positive effects on human health. These antioxidants are secondary metabolites in plants that can be induced under external stress. The objectives of this study were to quantify the effects of cultivars, crop management method (organic and conventional), and growing environment on the concentrations of these antioxidants in whole grain rice. Cultivars and environment contributed to a higher percentage of variation in the concentrations of these antioxidants than did crop management method. Cultivars accounted for a greater proportion of the variation than environment for all traits except total tocotrienols and γ‐oryzanol. Cultivars that are high in concentrations of these antioxidants were identified, but no one cultivar contained the highest concentration of all antioxidants evaluated. These cultivar differences indicate that improvement for phytochemical and antioxidant traits can be accomplished through traditional breeding. Because of the limited effect of crop management on these antioxidants, choice of cultivar should be the focus for organic production of whole grain rice high in these antioxidants.