Selection in segregating generations of autogamous species. I. Selection response for combined selection

Summary The response to selection is determined by the genetic and nongenetic variance, the selection intensity, and the size of the experiments. If, in pure line breeding, selection starts in segregating generations, the gain depends on the relation of additive to epistatic variance. The gain can be increased if an index is constructed using the information from relatives. From animal breeding this kind of selection is known as combined selection. In this paper the optimal number of families and subfamilies is determined that will maximise the selection response by combined selection for a fixed total size of experiments. The composition of the genetic variance has a imited influence on the optimal size of the progenies. If epistatic variance is important, then the number of F₂ families has to be reduced and the number of F₃ families and F₄ families must be increased. The same is true if the nongenetic variance is increased.     

Differences in triglyceride and cholesterol metabolism and resistance to obesity in male and female vitamin D receptor knockout mice

A lean phenotype has been detected in vitamin D receptor (VDR) knockout mice; however, the gender differences in fat metabolism between male and female mice both with age and in response to a high‐fat diet have not been studied before. The objective of our study was to assess changes in body and fat tissue weight, food intake and serum cholesterol and triglyceride in VDR knockout mice from weaning to adulthood and after a challenge of adult animals with a high‐fat diet. Although VDR knockout mice of both sexes consumed more food than wild‐type and heterozygous littermates, their body weight and the weight of fat depots was lower after 6 months on a diet with 5% crude fat content. When adult animals were challenged with a high‐fat diet containing 21% crude fat content for 8 weeks, VDR knockout mice of both sexes had a significantly higher food intake but gained less weight than their wild‐type littermates. Cholesterol levels were higher after 2 days on the high‐fat diet in both sexes, but in the VDR knockout mice, less cholesterol was detected in the serum after 8 weeks. Wild‐type male mice showed signs of fatty liver disease at the end of the experiment, which was not detected in the other groups. In conclusion, lack of the VDR receptor results in reduced fat accumulation with age and when adult mice are fed a high‐fat diet, despite a higher food intake of VDR knockout mice relative to their wild‐type littermates. These effects can be detected in both sexes. Wild‐type male mice react with the highest weight gain and cholesterol levels of all groups and develop fatty liver disease after 8 weeks on a high‐fat diet, while male VDR knockout mice appear to be protected.     

Pilot study of the practicability of a commercially-available Salmonella rapid test for the detection of the Salmonella content of cattle fecal samples

100 faeces samples of cattle were investigated in comparison to a recent commercially available Salmonella Rapid Test (OXOID) and a cultural standard method (non-selective enrichment in buffered peptone water, selective enrichment in RAPPAPORT-VASSILIADIS-medium) for presence of Salmonella. The Salmonella Rapid Test showed in positive results an accuracy ("sensitivity") of 94.7% and in negative results an assurance ("specificity") of 97.5% and is therefore suitable for rapid detection (within 2 days) of faeces sample of cattle with Salmonella.     

Enhancement of bone healing using non-glycosylated rhBMP-2 released from a fibrin matrix in dogs and cats

OBJECTIVES: To test a non-glycosylated recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (ngly-rhBMP-2)/fibrin composite, which has been shown experimentally to enhance healing of bone defects in rodents, in a clinical case series of dogs and cats undergoing treatment for fracture non-unions and arthrodesis. METHODS: A ngly-rhBMP-2/fibrin composite was applied in 41 sites in 38 dogs and cats for which a cancellous bone autograft was indicated, replacing the graft. RESULTS: Bridging of the bone defect with functional bone healing was achieved in 90 per cent of the arthrodesis and fracture nonunions treated in this manner. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This prospective clinical study demonstrates the beneficial effects of ngly-rhBMP-2 in a specially designed fibrin matrix on the treatment of bone defects, and validates the use of this composite as an alternative to bone autografts in dogs and cats.     

Investigation of the allergenic potential of wines fined with various proteinogenic fining agents by ELISA

Hidden allergens are a common problem in food safety that has been known for many years. This is why the European Parliament adopted Directive 2003/89/EC amending 2000/13/EC. In addition to specific ingredients, Directive 2003/89/EC also requests the declaration of specific products that were used in the production and could be a risk for allergic individuals. This also includes the declaration of fining agents and lysozyme used in wines. In fact, it could be assumed that fining agents would be almost completely removed during the manufacturing process; however, until now there has been no necessity to analyze wine for these fining agents. By applying enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), residuals of fining agent proteins and the stabilizer lysozyme were investigated in various German wines. The results showed no detectable amounts of fining agents in wines, except for dried egg white and lysozyme, both derived from hen's egg white. For those products, adverse reactions against treated wines could not be excluded.     

Chemical comparison of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) root powder from three commercial suppliers

The characterization of herbal materials is a significant challenge to analytical chemists. Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.), which has been chosen for toxicity evaluation by NIEHS, is among the top 15 herbal supplements currently on the market and contains a complex mixture of indigenous components ranging from carbohydrates and amino acids to isoquinoline alkaloids. One key component of herbal supplement production is botanical authentication, which is also recommended prior to initiation of efficacy or toxicological studies. To evaluate material available to consumers, goldenseal root powder was obtained from three commercial suppliers and a strategy was developed for characterization and comparison that included Soxhlet extraction, HPLC, GC-MS, and LC-MS analyses. HPLC was used to determine the weight percentages of the goldenseal alkaloids berberine, hydrastine, and canadine in the various extract residues. Palmatine, an isoquinoline alkaloid native to Coptis spp. and other common goldenseal adulterants, was also quantitated using HPLC. GC-MS was used to identify non-alkaloid constituents in goldenseal root powder, whereas LC-MS was used to identify alkaloid components. After review of the characterization data, it was determined that alkaloid content was the best biomarker for goldenseal. A 20-min ambient extraction method for the determination of alkaloid content was also developed and used to analyze the commercial material. All three lots of purchased material contained goldenseal alkaloids hydrastinine, berberastine, tetrahydroberberastine, canadaline, berberine, hydrastine, and canadine. Material from a single supplier also contained palmatine, coptisine, and jatrorrhizine, thus indicating that the material was not pure goldenseal. Comparative data for three commercial sources of goldenseal root powder are presented.     

Water parameters affect anaesthesia induced by eugenol in silver catfish,Rhamdia quelen

The present study investigated the effects of water pH (5.0, 7.0 and 9.0), hardness (0, 20 and 120 mg CaCO₃ L^?1) and temperature (15, 23 and 30 °C) on the induction of sedation and anaesthesia, and subsequent recovery, of silver catfish exposed to eugenol. Moreover, the blood gas tensions (PvO₂ and PvCO₂) and blood pH in silver catfish acclimated to these temperatures were investigated after exposure to eugenol. Water pH, hardness, temperature and fish size affect the efficacy of eugenol in silver catfish, particularly at the lower concentrations tested (20 and 30 mg L^?1). Sedation of this species can be induced at concentrations as low as 20 mg L^?1, but for anaesthesia, a concentration of at least 40 mg L^?1 of eugenol must be used to compensate for the influence of fish size and water quality. Blood gas tension and pH were affected by eugenol anaesthesia, but only in fish acclimated to 30 °C.