Comparison of selection methods among and within full-sibling progenies in Urochloa humidicola

Hybridization in the Urochloa humidicola breeding programme allowed to explore the genetic variability of the apomictic sources and, thus, to obtain new sexual and apomictic parents with compatible ploidy and/or superior progenies. However, given the high variability arising from crosses, there is a need to adopt efficient selection strategies among and within progenies. The aim of this study was to compare the selection methods among U. humidicola progenies with (t-BLUP) and without (BLUP) the weighting based on prediction error and subsequent selection within progenies by individual simulated (BLUP_IS) or optimal individual BLUP. We evaluated seventy-one U. humidicola full-sib progenies from biparental crosses between nine sexual and ten apomictic parents. The experiment was set up in an incomplete block design with 64 blocks of 15 plots each, consisting of individual plants. Seven consecutive cuts were made and the traits total dry-matter, leaf dry-matter and regrowth scores were measured. Genetic variance was expressive for all traits. The selection procedure among progenies of U. humidicula based on t-BLUP proved to be more advantageous regarding the use of BLUP not weighted by the prediction error, resulting in higher selection gains, taking as reference the optimal procedure of the individual BLUP. Furthermore, the use of BLUP_IS allowed an optimized selection of hybrids, allowing the breeder to explore with variable selection intensity the genetic variability within the selected full-sib progenies based on relative genetic merit.     

Antiparasitic efficacy of dietary administration of trichlorfon (Masoten®) in the control of Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae (Neochinorhynchidae) in Colossoma macropomum (Serrasalmidae)

Aquaculture International - This study investigated the efficacy of trichlorfon against Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae, as well as its palatability, residue analysis, and the blood parameters of...     

Pseudomonas putida improved soil enzyme activity and growth of kasumbha under low input of mineral fertilizers

Effective management of the nutrients and enzyme activity in the soil is necessary for maximum crop growth and productivity. However, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers (CFs) not only adversely affects the soil nutrient status and soil physicochemical properties but also aids pollution to the ecosystem. The objective of present study was to investigate the effect of single as well as combined applications of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and agrochemicals on important soil enzyme activities and their impact on the growth of kasumbha (safflower). Pseudomonas putida (P. putida;10⁶ cells/mL) was applied as seed inoculation prior to sowing, and CFs were applied as full, half, and quarter doses during sowing to modulate the growth of kasumbha host plants. P. putida in combination with half dose of CFs (PH) increased the soil urease and phosphatase activities, while P. putida combined with quarter dose of CFs (PQ) augmented the soil invertase activities. Moreover, the PQ treatment exhibited the maximum colony-forming units of P. putida. Leaf chlorophyll, carotenoids, protein contents, and root lengths were increased by PH treatment. Whereas, shoot length and leaf area were improved by PH and PQ treatments, respectively. Leaf protease activity was enhanced by P. putida in combination with full dose of CFs and PQ treatments, while leaf phosphate contents were significantly improved by PQ treatment. It can be concluded that P. putida in combination with half as well as quarter doses of CFs is a promising approach for the improvement of soil enzyme activities and growth of kasumbha and replacing 50% of the use of CFs.     

Thyroid function tests during first-trimester of pregnancy: a review of literature

This literature review was conducted to summarize the main points of maternal thyroid function tests, with particular attention in the first trimester of pregnancy which accompanied with significant biochemical and metabolic alteration. The evaluation of thyroid function of either hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism should be assessed by determination of serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroxine (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3), Iodine and Thyroid Autoantibodies. Glomerular filtration rate is increased during pregnancy; therefor iodine deficiency should be evaluated during the pregnancy to prevent hypothyroidism. The role which can be played by Human Chronic Gonadotropin (hCG) on stimulating the thyroid gland to become over-active was investigated. Serum level ofthyroglobulin (Tg) and Thyroxin Binding Globulin (TBG) should be assessed for proper assessments of thyroid gland during pregnancy. Thyroid function tests during first-trimester of pregnancy and particularly the reference interval for thyroid function tests for pregnant women in each region has to be established, to prevent mis-diagnosis and irreversible mental and physical adverse affect for growing fetus.     

Nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress of single large dose or two divided doses of gentamicin in rats

Gentamicin (GS) is a potent antimicrobial exhibiting concentration dependent bacterial killing. A high dose ofgentamicin (10 mg kg(-1)) is required to reach sufficient concentrations in specific fluids as cerebrospinal fluid and to be effective on antibiotics resistant bacteria as well as treatment of acute and dangerous illness. Using a rat model, the renal toxicity and oxidative stress of administering gentamicin (10 mg kg(-1) daily for 7 days) either in a single dose or divided into 2 doses was investigated. The safety of dose regimens was assessed through oxidant-antioxidant parameters as well as renal function tests. Typical renal damage and high oxidative stress were evident in the control group receiving 100 mg kg(-1) gentamicin daily for 7 days. This was verified by high serum urea, uric acid, creatinine as well as increase in the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers as malondialdehyde, NO, total antioxidant capacity and decrease in reduced glutathione level. At any of the used regimen, 10 mg kg(-1) gentamicin did not provide high compromise for renal functions nor significantly increased the oxidative stress and tissue damage. Based on microscopic lesions scores and biochemical analysis, there were no significant differences between single or two divided dosages of gentamicin at dose rate of 10 mg kg(-1) day(-1). Further studies are required for applications in other animals of human subjects.     

Abnormal serum thyroid hormones concentration with healthy functional gland: a review on the metabolic role of thyroid hormones transporter proteins

Laboratory findings can definitely help the patients not to enter into status, where the damage might be happen due to a miss-diagnosis based on clinical assessment alone. The secondary disease accompanied with thyroid patients should also carefully check out due to the interference which some diseases can cause in the amount of serum thyroid hormone, particularly the free thyroxin. The dilemma over thyroid clinical diagnosis occur due to variation on serum thyroid hormone which initiated by other non-thyroidal disorders which can play an important roles in metabolic disorders of thyroid hormone due to the alteration which occur on the serum level of thyroid hormone transporter proteins. The majority of serum thyroid hormones of up to 95-99% are bound to the carrier proteins mainly to Thyroxin-Binding Globulins (TBG), some transthyretin already known as pre-albumin and albumin which are all synthesis in the liver and any modification which alter their production may alter the status of thyroid hormones. It seems TBG, transthyretin and albumin carries 75, 20, 5% of thyroid hormones within blood circulation, respectively. The dilemma facing the thyroid hormones following disruption of thyroid hormone transporter protein synthesis originate from this fact that any alteration of these protein contribute to the alteration of total thyroid and free serum thyroid hormones which are in fact the biologically active form of thyroid hormones. The subsequent of latter implication result in miss-understanding and miss-diagnosis of thyroid function tests, with possible wrongly thyroid clinical care, followed by undesired therapy of otherwise healthy thyroid.     

Immunohistochemical and polymerase chain reaction studies in Neospora caninum experimentally infected broiler chicken embryonated eggs

The diagnostic characteristics of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods were studied in the tissues of broiler chicken embryos experimentally infected by Neospora caninum. An infection with N. caninum NC-1 isolate was conducted in 70 broiler chicken embryonated eggs randomly divided into seven equal groups. After 8 days of incubation, six groups were inoculated with 10, 10(2), 10(3), 10(4), 10(5), and 10(6) doses of tachyzoites/embryonated egg. The 7th group was considered as control. The mortality rate and pathological changes of the dead embryos and hatched chickens up to 60 days old were noticed. Consecutive sections to those used for histopathological examination including the liver, heart, brain, and chorioalantoic (CA) membrane were subjected to IHC. The intensity and distribution of the immunostaining was graded as highly to mildly positive. For PCR procedure, DNA was extracted from 50mg of the tissues and primer pair Np21/Np6 was used for amplification of the Nc-5 gene. The results of the immunosignaling ranged from variable degrees of mild to moderate staining as dark-brown to brown and coarsely to finely granular, mostly within the cytoplasm of infected cells such as the endothelial cells of blood vessels. The parasite aggregation was more predominant in the heart than other tissues. Immunoreactivity for N. caninum antigen was multifocally moderate positive in the heart, liver and CA of the 10(3) dose, and also heart, liver, brain and CA of the 10(4) dose. IHC showed mildly positive in the liver and heart of the chicken embryos infected with 10 and 10(2) tachyzoites, as well. The results of the PCR confirmed the existence of the parasite in all of the examined tissues from the 10(3) and 10(4) doses. In conclusion, the results indicate a good agreement between IHC and PCR in diagnosis of neospora antigen in the infected tissues.     

The relationship between serum level of thyroid hormones,trace elements and antioxidant enzymes in dromedary camel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Camelus dromedarius</Emphasis>)

Thyroid hormones might be able to regulate the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). The role of thyroid hormones in metabolic pathways and antioxidant enzyme activities are well known in many species. Nevertheless, there is no report describing probable relationship between thyroid hormones status, erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes and serum profiles of trace elements. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between these parameters in Iranian dromedary camels. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 30 clinically healthy Iranian dromedary camels under aseptic conditions during 6 consecutive days of summer. The serum was analyzed for serum profile of thyroid hormones, trace elements, SOD and GPX activity. There were no significant differences in serum thyroid hormones, serum level of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), selenium and antioxidant enzymes in different days (P > 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between SOD and Fe (P < 0.01, r = -493). There was no significant correlation between other parameters. In case of copper deficiency likewise the present study, the copper was used to produce more SOD, so there was a decrease in Fe transportation, and it might be a cause of decrease in Fe amount. On the other hand, a relatively small quantity of Fe is present in tissue myoglobin, catalase, peroxidases, and cytochromes. So it might be another cause of decrease in Fe amount. The explanation for these finding is not possible at this moment and further investigations are needed to interpret these changes.     

Studies on correlations among parasitaemia and some hemolytic indices in two tropical diseases (theileriosis and anaplasmosis) in Fars province of Iran

This study was carried out in two observational clinical studies. Study 1 comprised 50 adult crossbred cattle naturally infected by Theileria annulata. Infected animals were divided into 4 subgroups with different parasitaemia (<1%, 1–3%, 3–5% and >5%). Study 2 comprised 20 adult crossbred cattle naturally infected by Anaplasma marginale. Infected animals were divided into 3 subgroups with different parasitaemia (<10%, 10–20% and 20–30%). In study 1, a significant negative correlation (P < 0.001) was observed between parasitaemia and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Positive correlations (P < 0.001) were observed between parasitaemia and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and mean corpuscular fragility (MCF). In study 2 positive correlations (P < 0.05) were observed among parasitaemia and MCF and LDH activity. SOD activity had a negative correlation with parasitaemia in cattle with parasitaemia lower than 10% but no significant correlation (P > 0.05) was observed between SOD activity and parasitaemia in cattle with 10–20 and 20–30% parasitaemia. In comparison of both studies we came to the conclusion that in theileriosis as the severity of disease increased the anaemia, MCF and LDH activity increased and SOD activity decreased at any parasitaemia, but in anaplasmosis the anaemia, MCF and LDH activity increased at any parasitaemia but SOD activity decreased only in early but not in advanced stages of disease.