Genome-wide identification of runs of homozygosity islands in the Gyr breed (Bos indicus)

Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are contiguous homozygous regions of the genome. These regions can be used to identify genes associated with traits of economic interest, as well as inbreeding levels. The aim of the present study was to analyse the length and distribution of ROH islands in Gyr cattle and to identify genes within these regions. A population of 173 animals selected for beef production and a population of 291 animals selected for dairy production were used. Differences in the number of short ROH (ROH_{1-2 Mb}) were observed between the two populations, while the number of long ROH (ROH_{>16 Mb}) was similar. ROH islands with the highest incidences (>0.50) overlapped in several segments of the genome in the two populations. The genes identified were associated with milk production, growth, reproduction, immune response and resistance traits. Our results contribute to the understanding of how selection can shape the distribution of ROH and ROH islands within the same breed when animals are selected for different purposes such as dairy or beef production.     

Estimation of (co)variance components for birth weight in Nellore cattle using alternative data editing criteria

The aim of this study was to estimate the (co)variance components and breeding values for birthweight (BW) in Nellore cattle by considering or not identical weights that exhibit a high frequency within the contemporary group (CG). A total of 175,258 BW records of Nellore cattle born between 2002 and 2018 were used. The CG was formed by farm, year of birth, sex and feeding regime at birth. CGs with more than 16% of identical BW values were eliminated, generating a data file called BWd. Another file was created without removing these animals (BWt). A mixed linear model was used for statistical analysis, which included fixed and random effects. In both data files analysed, single-trait analysis was performed by Bayesian inference. The mean direct and maternal heritability for BW and the correlation between direct and maternal effects were 0.27, 0.07 and −0.07 for BWt, respectively, and 0.30, 0.093 and −0.07 for BWd. This method should affect the estimation of genetic merits of animals for BW, providing greater safety in the choice of sires.     

Genetic diversity of Nile tilapia populations revealed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)

Genetic diversity of the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus collected from the river Nile (Cairo, Assuit and Qena) and two Delta lakes (Burullus and Manzalla) in Egypt was examined by the analysis of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Of 25 primers examined,21 primers produced 230 RAPD bands. The percentage of polymorphic bands in Manzalla (29.4%) and Burullus (24%) populations was low compared with Assuit (30.54%), Cairo (33.5%) and Qena (44.84%) populations. The highest percentage of polymorphic bands was observed in the Qena population,suggesting a greater potential for use in breeding programs. The molecular phylogenetic tree constructed by unweighted pair‐group method of analysis shows Manzalla and Burullus populations strongly linked and separate from the Assuit and Cairo populations, with Qena population as outgroup. The data serve as a baseline analysis of the current genetic diversity found among O. niloticus populations in Egypt.     

Serum Concentrations of Gastrin after Famotidine and Omeprazole Administration to Dogs

Background

The duration of antacid‐induced hypergastrinemia after cessation of administration of omeprazole and famotidine apparently has not been determined in dogs.

Hypothesis

That serum gastrin will return to basal concentrations by 7 days after cessation of famotidine or omeprazole administration.

Animals

Nine healthy, adult, male, research colony dogs.

Methods

Randomized, cross‐over design. Serum gastrin was determined daily for 7 days to establish baseline concentrations. Famotidine (1.0 mg/kg q24h) or omeprazole (1.0 mg/kg q24h) was administered PO for 7 days followed by a 14‐day washout. Serum concentrations of gastrin were determined daily during 7 days of administration and daily for 7 days after cessation of administration. Each drug was evaluated in 8 of the 9 dogs.

Results

Omeprazole caused a significant increase in serum gastrin concentration (37.2 ± 7.3 to 71.3 ± 19.0 ng/L; P = .006). Famotidine induced a transient increase in serum gastrin (37.2 ± 7.3 to 65.5 ± 38.5 ng/L; P = .02) that peaked at administration day 3 and declined thereafter. By day 7 after cessation of both drugs, there was no difference in serum gastrin concentrations compared to those before administration (famotidine P = .99; omeprazole P = .99). During or after administration, gastrin concentrations above 3 times the upper reference range were rare (12 of 224 samples).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

A 7‐day withdrawal from short‐term administration of famotidine or omeprazole is sufficient for serum gastrin to return to baseline concentrations. Withholding famotidine or omeprazole for longer before investigating pathologic causes of hypergastrinemia is unnecessary.     

Potential productivity of fibre hemp in southern Europe

Summary Hemp cultivation is not new to the southern regions, but cultivated area is decreasing. Recently, there has been a rediscovery of this crop, as a result of requests from the producers of natural fibres.The paper synthesizes the studies recently set up in southern Italy, with the goal of evaluating the adaptation and the yield of recent genotypes and of new agronomic techniques. The study demonstrates that, with the exception of the monoicious cultivars, the new genotypes of hemp are adapted to the environmental conditions of the Mediterranean Europe, reaching productive standards not lower than those obtained in other environments.The use of irrigation is indispensable for overcoming the prolonged water deficit which hemp is subject to during its cultivation cycle. A good irrigation practice consists in the partial satisfaction of the water requirements. The experimental evidence indicates that the best productive results are obtained with the reintegration of 66% of the water lost through evapotranspiration.A further saving in water is obtained with the anticipation of the sowing period, with, however, a loss in productive potential.Hemp can be considered, in all respects, a species to reintroduce in the current cultivation systems of southern Europe. It will be possible to increase its potential provided that breeding supplied new varieties, more tolerant to low temperatures (in order to anticipate the sowing time), and able to obtain economically profitable yields with the use of limited irrigation.     

新疆木灵藓属Orthotrichum Hedw.植物的分类学研究

根据历年采自新疆各地区的350号木灵藓属Orthotrichum 植物标本,在查阅大量文献的基础上,通过经典分类学方法,对新疆木灵藓属植物进行了整理、鉴定和分类。结果表明：新疆有木灵藓属植物5亚属、17种,包括裸孔亚属subg. Gymnoporus (6种) 、直叶亚属subg. Orthophyllum (1种)、疣叶亚属subg. Pulchella (5种)、圆孔亚属subg. Phaneroporum (1种)、木灵藓亚属subg. Orthotrichum (4种),其中高山木灵藓Orthotrichum alpestre Hornsch. ex B.S.G为中国新记录种;中国木灵藓O. hookeri Wils. ex Mitt.、东亚木灵藓O. ibukiense Toy.、短丛木灵藓O. pumilum Sw. 和卷叶木灵藓O. revolutum C. Muell. 为新疆新记录种。通过对新疆新记录种的生境、识别特征、采集地点、地理分布、海拔等信息的整理分析,绘制了4个种的线条图,并编制了新疆木灵藓属植物的分亚属和分种检索表。     

Protective effect of dimercaptosuccinic acid on methylmercury and mercuric chloride inhibition of rat brain muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

The reactivation of the rat brain muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mACh-R) binding with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) after in vitro and in vivo inhibition by mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) and methylmercuric chloride (MeHg) was investigated. Receptor binding was estimated by the potent and specific antagonist l-[³H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([³H]QNB). Rat brain synaptosomal membranes were exposed to HgCl₂ and MeHg. At 1 × 10^?4M. HgCl₂ caused complete inhibition of the [³H]QNB binding. The inhibition of [³H]QNB binding by HgCl₂ was still higher than 50% at 1 × 10^?8M. MeHg caused less inhibition of [³H]QNB binding than HgCl₂. The inhibited receptors showed a significant degree of reactivation when treated with DMSA. The recovery was almost complete after MeHg inhibition or with the lower HgCl₂ concentrations. Generally, the reactivation was dependent on the concentration of DMSA. When rats injected with either early or delayed doses of DMSA following administration with five consecutive daily doses (8 mg/kg body wt, Gavage method) of MeHg or HgCl₂, the inhibition of [³H]QNB binding was less than untreated ones. The early treatment with DMSA decreased the inhibition of [³H]QNB binding due to MeHg or HgCl₂ intoxication. However, DMSA was more effective in reducing HgCl₂ inhibition than MeHg either in vitro or in vivo treatment. The ability of DMSA to reactivate the mACh-R after inhibition with the mercurials emphasizes the involvement of essential sulfhydryl groups in [³H]QNB binding sites, and also shows that these sulfhydryl groups are the primary target for the MeHg and HgCl₂ inhibition of the rat brain muscarinic receptors.     

Multilocus DNA polymorphism of some rubber-bearing dandelions (Taraxacum spp.) of Russia and Kazakhstan

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Successful domestication and introduction into culture of new forms of rubber-bearing dandelions require not only determination of the content and quality of...