Fast and Simple Molecular Test for Sex Determination of the Monomorphic Eudromia elegans Individuals.

Sex determination based just on morphological traits such as plumage dichromatism, sexual size dimorphism, behavior, or vocalizations is really challenging because of the sexual monomorphism present in more than half of avian species. Currently, a lot of them can be tested through DNA-based procedures, but they do not fit all the avian species, such as Eudromia elegans. The aim of this study was to design a new molecular method suitable for routine sex determination for that species that is fast, simple, and cost- and time- effective. DNA was isolated from dry blood stain and/or chest feather samples of E. elegans species. We used two sets of sex-specific primers (ZF/ZR and WF/WR) to amplify the expected fragments localized on the highly conserved CHD1 gene to distinguish between sexes due to the W-specific DNA sequence present only in females. We confirmed the accuracy and consistency of the PCR-based method based on length differences to distinguish between the sexes of E. elegans, which amplified two fragments in females and one fragment in males.

Cross-Kingdom Interaction of miRNAs and Gut Microbiota with Non-Invasive Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications in Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has one of the highest incidences among all types of malignant diseases, affecting millions of people worldwide. It shows slow progression, making it preventable. However, this is not the case due to shortcomings in its diagnostic and management procedure and a lack of effective non-invasive biomarkers for screening. Here, we discuss CRC-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) and gut microbial species with potential as CRC diagnostic and therapy biomarkers. We provide rich evidence of cross-kingdom miRNA-mediated interactions between the host and gut microbiome. miRNAs have emerged with the ability to shape the composition and dynamics of gut microbiota. Intestinal microbes can uptake miRNAs, which in turn influence microbial growth and provide the ability to regulate the abundance of various microbial species. In the context of CRC, targeting miRNAs could aid in manipulating the balance of the microbiota. Our findings suggest the need for correlation analysis between the composition of the gut microbiome and the miRNA expression profile.

The incidence of genetic disease alleles in Australian Shepherd dog breed in European countries.

Genetic disease control is generally not given the importance it deserves. Information about what percentage of individuals carry a disorder-causing mutation is crucial for breeders to produce healthy offspring and maintain a healthy dog population of a particular breed. This study aims to provide information about the incidence of mutant alleles for the most frequently occurring hereditary diseases in the Australian Shepherd dog breed (AS). The samples were collected during a 10-years period (2012-2022) in the European population of the AS. Mutant alleles and incidence were calculated from all the obtained data for all the diseases, specifically: collie eye anomaly (9.71%), canine multifocal retinopathy type 1 (0.53%), hereditary cataract (11.64%), progressive rod-cone degeneration (1.58%), degenerative myelopathy (11.77%) and bob-tail/short-tail (31.74%). Our data provide more information to dog breeders to support their effort to limit the spread of hereditary diseases.