Variation in autosomal and sex-linked genetic effects for growth traits in Markhoz goat using multivariate animal models

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The present study was conducted to estimate autosomal and sex-linked genetic parameters by restricted maximum likelihood method using four different...     

Precision of estimated QTL positions in granddaughter designs using combined haplotype sharing TDT and linkage analysis

The aim of this study was to develop the linear haplotype sharing transmission disequilibrium test (LHS-TDT) method and combine this method with the simple regression method to estimate the precision of QTL positions in granddaughter designs. This precision was determined by Monte Carlo simulation in granddaughter designs. A single bi-allelic QTL at the midpoint of a linkage group and 26 markers with 1 cM intervals and with two alleles each were simulated. Three linear models, (i.e. the simple regression model, the linear haplotype sharing TDT method and the combination of these two models) were compared. The mean of absolute differences (A) between the estimated and true QTL position of each method was considered for six different scenarios consisting of combinations of a number of markers and the most frequent haplotypes. The mean of A, using the simple regression method, was 4.38 centimorgan (cM). The means of A using the LHS-TDT method were less than the simple regression method in all scenarios and ranged from 1.86 to 3.82 cM depending on the scenario. The mean of A using the combined method was more than the LHS-TDT method and less than the simple regression method. The means of A using the combined method ranged from 2.32 to 4.36 cM. Therefore, for populations similar to those population simulated in this study, the LHS-TDT was better than the simple regression method and the combined method for precision of estimated QTL position in granddaughter designs.     

Influence of wood planing on the second-order effects of moisture sorption in sugar maple

Summary Two types of machines, a conventional planer, and a fixed-knife pressure-bar planer were used to prepare matched specimens of sugar maple wood. After adsorption and desorption, both experiments at 21 °C, the EMC, swelling in all principal directions as well as compliance coefficient in radial compression were measured. Two specimen sizes were used for these expe‐riments. For a given equilibrium moisture content, tangential and radial dimensions were greater after desorption than after adsorption, as previously described. When equilibrium was reached by gaining moisture, the wood was stiffer in radial compression compared to when the equilibrium was reached after losing moisture. The magnitude of this phenomenon, second-order effects of moisture sorption, was slightly affected by the type of planing. These effects on swelling were greater for large specimens prepared by conventional planing compared to fixed-knife pressure-bar planing. Small specimens showed similar magnitudes of this phenomenon with both planing methods. No differences between planing methods were found for the radial compliance coefficient measured on either specimen size. Therefore, the second-order effects of moisture sorption appeared to be a bulk phenomenon and not restricted to the superficial layers of wood. Received 9 December 1997     

Exogenous application of humic acid and salicylic acid to alleviate seedling drought stress in two corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids

Efficacy of 1?mM humic (HA) and salicylic (SC) acids on SC 260 and SC 705 corn seedlings to alleviate drought stress via polyethylene glycol was studied via hydroponics at Shiraz University, Iran in a factorial, randomized design, with four replicates each. Under stress, SC 260 had higher electrolyte leakage compared to SC 705, and exogenous application of HA combined with SA decreased SC 705 electrolyte leakage. As a general trend, photosynthetic pigment content, relative water content, root and shoot length, mean number and diameter of central and peripheral root metaxylem, and K⁺ accumulation were higher in SC 705 treated with HA and SA compared to SC 260. Application of HA with SA could be an effective and low cost approach to ensure seedling establishment and plant growth in fields affected by soil drought in the early season, especially for the SC 705 corn hybrid in semi-arid regions.     

The effect of composted municipal waste,sheep manure,and urea nitrogen on the growth and chemical composition of two rapeseed cultivars

Oil cultivars of Brassica napus L. were grown to compare the effects of composted municipal waste (CMW) and sheep manure (SM) to field soil (C0). To each soil group, one of three levels of urea nitrogen fertilizer (N) was added. SM grown plants had higher N than those grown in CMW with the Sarigol cultivar having a higher N content than the RGS cultivar. Field soil plants grown in control soil had lowest N levels. Organic amendments increased N content of both cultivars. SM grown plants produced more siliques, a higher seed yield, and greater 100 seed weight compared to those grown in CMW. Control soil plants had the lowest number of siliques, seed yield, and 100 seed weight. CMW-treated plants contained slightly more metals than SM plants. Field soil plants had the lowest metal levels. CMW and SM application had potential to improve the growth and chemical composition without adding urea.     

Effect of Zataria multiflora essential oil on Alternaria alternata in vitro and in an assay on tomato fruits

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Zataria multiflora essential oil at different concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300 and 500 ppm) on the...     

Investigating the CYP2B6 rs3745274 and rs3211371 Polymorphisms in Methadone-Responder and Non-Responder Addicts in Iran

Background:Methadone therapy is a major protocol in opioid addiction cases in many health care systems. Population-based studies have shown that in addicted people, the genetic profile affects their response to methadone therapy. Therefore, this study designed to examine the frequency of two SNPs of the CYP2B6 gene (rs3745274 and rs3211371) in addicted cases in two methadone-responders and methadone non-responders groups. Methods:A total of 199 opioid-addicted individuals and 117 unaffected control subjects were genotyped for rs3745274 and rs3211371 polymorphisms of the CYP2B6 gene using the tetra-primer ARMS-PCR. Results:Results of this study revealed the significant association of rs3745274 GG (p < 0.001; OR = 0.027; 95% CI = 0.14-0.49) and GT (p < 0.001; OR = 4.04; 95% CI = 2.26-7.21) genotypes with the risk of addiction in methadone-responders. Also, a significant association between rs3745274 GG (p < 0.001; OR = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.15-0.51) and GT (p < 0.001; OR = 5.1; 95% CI = 2.8-5.28) genotypes and addiction relapse was found in methadone non-responders. Conclusion:Based on our findings, we can conclude that rs3745274 variant of CYP2B6 gene could serve as a potential biomarker, to evaluate the prognosis of addicted people fate under treatment with methadone. Key Words: Addiction, Biomarker, Methadone, Single-nucleotide polymorphism     

Effects of chronic high stocking density on liver proteome of rainbow trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>)

The main aim of the present study was to assess the effects of chronic high stocking density on liver proteome of rainbow trout. Rainbow trout juveniles (42.6 ± 2.3 g average body weight) were randomly distributed into six tanks at two stocking densities (low stocking density (LD) = 20 kg m^?3 and high stocking density (HD) = 80 kg m^?3). Both treatments were performed in triplicate tanks for a period of 60 days. High stocking density caused a reduction in the growth performance compared with LD fish. Lysozyme activity increased with stocking density, while serum complement activity presented the opposite pattern. Serum cortisol and total protein levels did not show significant differences (P > 0.05) between experimental groups. The fish reared at high stocking density showed significantly lower osmolality and globulin values but higher albumin level. The HD group had significantly higher activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde content in the liver when compared to the LD group. Comparative proteomics was used to determine the proteomic responses in livers of rainbow trout reared at high stocking density for 60 days. Out of nine protein spots showing altered abundance (>1.5-folds, P < 0.05), eight spots were successfully identified. Two proteins including apolipoprotein A-I-2 precursor and mitochondrial stress-70 protein were found to increase in HD group. The spots found to decrease in the HD group were identified as follows: 2-peptidylprolyl isomerase A, two isoforms of glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, an unnamed protein product similar to fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein, and serum albumin 1 protein.     

Mechanical and rheological properties of calcium carbonate-filled ethylene propylene diene elastomer reinforced by metallic acrylate salt

High performance ethylene propylene diene methylene elastomer (EPDM)/calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)/aluminum triacrylate (ALTA) hybrids have been prepared by a melt compounding process. The mechanical properties of the peroxide cured EPDM/CaCO₃/ALTA vulcanizates were investigated by tensile, hardness, resilience, abrasion and fatigue life tests. The results showed that the ALTA can greatly improve the modulus at 100 %, tensile strength, abrasion resistance and fatigue life of the EPDM/CaCO₃/ALTA vulcanizates, while retaining their high elongation at break. ALTA as a reactive filler had accelerating effect on the vulcanization reaction of and increased the crosslink density of the EPDM/CaCO₃ composites. This phenomenon is due to increasing the ionic bonds arise from both homo-polymerization of ALTA and graft co-polymerization of it onto the EPDM. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of ALTA causes to the roughness of the fracture surface of CaCO₃-filled EPDM compounds demonstrating high interaction between the fillers and EPDM improved by introduction of ALTA. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that the glass transition temperature (T _g ) and dissipation peak (tan δ) of EPDM composites decreases with increasing ALTA content. Decrease in tan δ value and inward shifting of T _g were related to improved interaction of filler and EPDM.     

Assessment of the Allelopathic Potential of Cumin Accessions in Different Soil Water Potential

Allelopathy is one effective solution to reach a healthy life without any pollution. This study was carried out to evaluate the allelopathic potential of 92 Iranian cumin accessions grown under normal conditions and drought stress, according to the sandwich method in the laboratory. In addition, weed infestation of the same cumin accessions was examined in a field by measuring total weed species richness and diversity under normal irrigating conditions. Results indicated that length and fresh weight of radish radicle and hypocotyl are more sensitive than the other germination indices against exuded allelochemicals of cumin seeds. Furthermore, all genotypes showed the average germination percentage to be less than the control samples. They could significantly reduce total species richness and diversity in their surroundings. Weed suppressive percentage of cumin genotypes in the field experiments was positively correlated with inhibition percentage of radicle growth in the laboratory. Water stress increases the allelopathic effects of cumin accessions in laboratory screening. Classification based on principle component method indicated that cumin genotypes were categorized into two clusters in both moisture regimes. Despite having stress factors, only the genotypes 13CGOGK₁, 35CSESH₁, 65CEAAS, 68CKERF₂, 75CYAAR₂, and 84CKRTJ₂ remained in a group with strong allelopathic activity. According to these results, there is the significant diversity for allelopathic strength in the Iranian cumin germplasm, which can be useful in cumin breeding for weed suppression.