Accounting for population structure in selective cow genotyping strategies

The objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of considering population structure in cow genotyping strategies over the accuracy and bias of genomic predictions. A small dairy cattle population was simulated to address these objectives. Based on four main traditional designs (random, top‐yield, extreme‐yield and top‐accuracy cows), different numbers (1,000; 2,000 and 5,000) of cows were sampled and included in the reference population. Traditional designs were replicated considering or not population structure and compared among and with a reference population containing only bulls. The inclusion of cows increased accuracy in all scenarios compared with using only bulls. Scenarios accounting for population structure when choosing cows to the reference population slightly outperformed their traditional versions by yielding higher accuracy and lower bias in genomic predictions. Building a cow‐based reference population from groups of related individuals considering the frequency of individuals from those same groups in the validation population yielded promising results with applications on selection for expensive‐ or difficult‐to‐measure traits. Methods here presented may be easily implemented in both new or already established breeding programs, as they improved prediction and reduced bias in genomic evaluations while demanding no additional costs.     

应用遥感数据识别意大利沿海松林灾害级别

分析了LandsatTM和ERS-1SAR数据用于识别意大利沿海松林污染灾害级别的潜在能力，结果显示出夏季获取的TM数据在森林灾害制图上远比冬季获取的TM数据和SAR影像有效，但SAR影像的贡献也是不可忽略的，文中给出了应用人工神经元网络B-P模型得到的对意大利沿海松林污染灾害级别划分的结果和应用FINDKAPP程序得到的精度评价结果。     

Celiac-related properties of chemically and enzymatically modified gluten proteins

The effects of chemical (acid-heating treatment) and enzymatic (microbial transglutaminase, TGase) modification (deamidation) of gluten proteins on their physicochemical and celiac disease-related properties were studied. Ammonia release, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and sample solubility analyses were employed to check the extent of gluten modification. Among different treatments achieved, the acid-heating treatment performed at 90 degrees C for 3 h induced gluten deamidation, paralleling an increase of gluten solubility without relevant proteolysis. Changes in the immunoreactivity of celiac IgA anti-gliadin antibodies (AGAs) to modified gluten proteins were detected by using a competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Chemical deamidation by acid-heating treatment of gluten lowered IgA-AGA immunoreactivity. IgA-AGA immunoreactivity to gliadins was increased when they were submitted to TGase-catalyzed deamidation. The acid-heating treatment of gluten reduced its cytotoxic activity on human colon adenocarcinoma LoVo cell line. These results showed that chemical deamidation of gluten may be envisaged as a way to lower the potential risk for celiac people due to widespread use of gluten as a food additive.     

Characterization of volatiles in extracts from oak chips obtained by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE)

Sixteen commercially available oak chips, differing in origin (French or American) and toasting level, were extracted by an accelerated solvent extraction method and characterized by their volatile composition. About 80 compounds were identified and quantified, a great part of them from the thermodegradation of lignin and cellulose. One furanone (solerone) and two C-13 norisoprenoids (3-oxo-alpha-ionol and a 3-oxoretro-alpha-ionol isomer) were also tentatively identified and reported for the first time in toasted wood. Quantitative data demonstrated the oak chips to be not so different from the composition of light- or medium-toasted wood barrels, which was reported by other authors. The same data suggest that toasting level had the strongest influence on the volatile composition of chip samples. Phenyl ketones, volatile phenols, and some furanic compounds were the most influenced. On the other hand, the influence of wood origin was found to be weaker.     

Variation of DNA methylation and phenotypic traits following unilateral sexual polyploidization in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago</Emphasis>

Sexual hybridization is an important generator of biodiversity and a powerful breeding tool. Hybridization can also overcome ploidy barriers when it involves 2n gametes, as in the case of unilateral sexual polyploidization (USP) that has been utilized in several crops, among which alfalfa. This research was aimed at gaining insights into the effects of USP on genome methylation and on phenotypic traits in alfalfa, an important forage species. The Methylation-Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism technique was used to estimate the cytosine methylation changes occurring in a tetraploid (2n = 4x = 32) USP progeny from crosses between a diploid Medicago sativa subsp. falcata genotype that produces 2n eggs and a cultivated tetraploid Medicago sativa subsp. sativa variety. De novo methylation or demethylation in the USP progeny were observed for 13% of the detected genomic sites, indicating that methylation changes can be relevant. USP plants showed larger surface area of the leaf epidermis cells than both parents, but this did not result in larger leaf size or higher plant biomass. They displayed significant higher ovule sterility than the tetraploid parent, but normal fertility was observed in crosses with unrelated male testers. We conclude that hybridization and sexual polyploidization resulted in novel variation in terms of remodeling of the methylation landscape as well as changes in phenotypic traits in alfalfa.     

Anaerobic metabolism during short and long term storage of kiwifruit

Kiwifruit were stored in 0.25% O₂ (ULO), 1% O₂ (LO) and 2% O₂ + 5% CO₂ (CA) and the controls were kept in air. The fruit were held at 0 °C for 34 and 94 d of storage and, after these times, were transferred to 20 °C in air for 14 d of shelf life. During the short term storage (34 d), a significant increase in anaerobic metabolites, above all ethanol, was observed in ULO, LO, and CA fruit (166, 131, 120 μL/L). After the shift to shelf life, a large and unexpected increase in PDC (pyruvate decarboxylase), ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase in the direction of ethanol oxidation), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), and GPT (glutamate-pyruvate transaminase) was observed, resulting in ethanol depletion (ULO) or no further increase, and an increase in acetaldehyde which, in turn, could have hastened fruit ripening. Even the control fruit showed an increase in ethanol during storage and an increase in enzyme activity during shelf life, especially in ADH, but to a lesser extent without an increase in acetaldehyde. During the long term storage, anaerobic metabolites (ethanol and acetaldehyde) still increased and GPT activity rose significantly in the ULO and CA samples. A burst of enzyme activity was also observed during the second shelf life in the CA and LO samples, but not in the control, while in ULO fruit the activity rose continuously. GPT activity showed the highest peaks in CA and ULO fruit. An ethylene burst was observed in ULO and CA fruit during the second shelf life (about 25 μL/kg-h) but not during the first shelf life. The potential role of these enzymes in kiwifruit stress response during storage and shelf life is discussed.     

Effects of lidocaine constant rate infusion on sevoflurane requirement, autonomic responses, and postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariectomy under opioid-based balanced anesthesia

The effects of constant rate infusion (CRI) of lidocaine on sevoflurane (SEVO) requirements, autonomic responses to noxious stimulation, and postoperative pain relief were evaluated in dogs undergoing opioid-based balanced anesthesia. Twenty-four dogs scheduled for elective ovariectomy were randomly assigned to one of four groups: BC, receiving buprenorphine without lidocaine; FC, receiving fentanyl without lidocaine; BL, receiving buprenorphine and lidocaine; FL, receiving fentanyl and lidocaine. Dogs were anesthetized with intravenous (IV) diazepam and ketamine and anesthesia maintained with SEVO in oxygen/air. Lidocaine (2mg/kg plus 50μg/kg/min) or saline were infused in groups BL/FL and BC/FC, respectively. After initiation of lidocaine or saline CRI IV buprenorphine (0.02mg/kg) or fentanyl (4μg/kg plus 8μg/kg/h CRI) were administered IV in BC/BL and FC/FL, respectively. Respiratory and hemodynamic variables, drug plasma concentrations, and end-tidal SEVO concentrations (E'SEVO) were measured. Behaviors and pain scores were subjectively assessed 1 and 2h post-extubation. Lidocaine CRI produced median drug plasma concentrations <0.4μg/mL during peak surgical stimulation. Lidocaine produced a 14% decrease in E'SEVO in the BL (P<0.01) but none in the FL group and no change in cardio-pulmonary responses to surgery or postoperative behaviors and pain scores in any group. Thus, depending on the opioid used, supplementing opioid-based balanced anesthesia with lidocaine (50μg/kg/min) may not have any or only a minor impact on anesthetic outcome in terms of total anesthetic dose, autonomic responses to visceral nociception, and postoperative analgesia.     

The effects of drug detection training on behavioral reactivity and blood neurotransmitter levels in drug detection dogs: A preliminary study

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of drug detection training on behavior and blood neurotransmitter levels in drug detection dogs so as to investigate some variables influencing dog reactivity and responsiveness to training. In all, 20 dogs were sampled out of the Guardia di Finanza canine population. All the subjects were born, reared, housed, and trained in the same facility and followed the same training sessions. Dogs’ behavioral reactivity was scored according to a standardized working dogs test to evaluate natural dog attitudes. Plasma samples were analyzed by the high-performance liquid chromatography method to evaluate adrenaline, noradrenaline, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, homovanillic acid (HVA), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol acid (MHPG), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels. 5-HT and 5-HIAA were also analyzed from platelets. The analysis was carried out considering training, breed, and sex as independent variables. From a behavioral point of view, significant differences were recorded before and after training in “sociability,” “playfulness,” “predatory instinct,” and “aggressiveness” scores. Lower levels of platelet 5-HT and 5-HIAA were found after training. Plasma L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine levels differed between sexes, with males showing higher concentrations. These results underline the importance of complete and objective evaluations protocols of the dogs before, during, and after drugs search training to determine effective and successful selection strategies and training procedures.     

Osmoregulation in fish sperm

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - In most fish exhibiting external fertilization, spermatozoa become motile after release into water, triggered by differences between intracellular and...