Crossbreeding impacts on caecal bacterial count and antibody titres in chickens.

1. A crossbreeding experiment was conducted using 20 sires and 120 dams from each Fayoumi (F) and Rhode Island Red (R) breeds. The F1 chicks of ½F½R and their reciprocal ½R½F crosses were used to estimate direct, maternal and heterotic effects.2. The caecal bacterial counts of Salmonella typhimurium and Enterococcus faecium and the IgA, IgG and IgM antibody titres were determined. Chicks of each genetic group (120 birds) were divided into three groups (40 birds per group) and chicks of the first group were assigned as the control group, while the second group was inoculated with S. typhimurium and E. faecium at 7 and 10 d of age (106 cfu/chick) and the third was inoculated with S. typhimurium at 10 d of age (106 cfu/chick).3. The generalised least square procedure was used to estimate cross-breeding effects. The S. typhimurium counts in the R breed was highly significant, followed by ½F½R cross, ½R½F cross, and F breed. The differences among genetic groups in E. faecium counts and caecal pH was not significant. The estimates of IgA, IgG, and IgM antibody titres were highly significant in the F breed, followed by ½R½F cross, ½F½R cross, and the R breed.4. The estimates of direct additive effects were highly significant F breed for the counts of S. typhimurium and antibody titres of IgA, IgG, and IgM. The maternal effects were highly significant F breed for S. typhimurium, E. faecium count, and antibody titres of IgA, IgG, and IgM. Estimates of direct heterosis were significant for S. typhimurium count and IgA antibody titre but not significant for E. faecium count, caecal pH, and antibody titres of IgG and IgM.5. The results showed that the Fayoumi breed could be used in breeding programmes to improve immunity traits against S. typhimurium in chickens.

Polymorphic characterisation of gallinacin candidate genes and their molecular associations with growth and immunity traits in chickens.

1.Four gallinacin (GAL) genes were assessed by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to characterise these genes in Fayoumi (F) and Rhode Island Red (R) breeds and their crosses of Rhode Island Red × Fayoumi (½R½F) and Fayoumi × Rhode Island Red (½F½R).2.Genes examined were GAL2, GAL3, GAL4 and GAL5. The molecular associations between the SNPs of the gallinacin genes and body weight, caecal bacterial count and the serum antibody titres of IgA, IgG and IgM were determined. In the R breed, the frequency of TC genotype was higher than TT and CC genotypes for the GAL3 gene. The GG genotype frequency was higher than AA and AG genotypes for the GAL4 gene in the other genetic groups, and the CA genotype frequency was higher than CC and AA genotypes in crosses for the GAL5 gene.3.In all populations, the frequency of the C allele was higher than the T allele for the GAL3 gene, the G allele was higher than the A allele for the GAL4 gene and the C allele was higher than the A allele for the GAL5 gene. The observed heterozygosity in R, ½R½F and ½F½R was 0.476, 0.375 and 0.158 for the GAL3 gene, 0.458, 0.615 and 0.250 for the GAL4 gene and 0.053, 0.792 and 0.739 for the GAL5 gene, while the expected heterozygosities were 0.490, 0.430 and 0.145 for the GAL3 gene, 0.430, 0.348 and 0.219 for the GAL4 gene and 0.229, 0.478 and 0.496 for the GAL5 gene, respectively.4.On a molecular level, the genotype TT was significantly higher for body weight than TC and CC genotypes in the GAL3 gene. Birds with the GG genotype had a significantly lower Salmonella typhimurium count than birds with AA genotype in the GAL4 gene. Birds with the genotype AA had higher significant body weights than those with CC and CA genotypes in the GAL5 gene.5.The results indicated that the GAL3, GAL4 and GAL5 genes are potential candidates for selection programmes to improve S. typhimurium resistance and body weight in chickens.

Evaluation of milk yield and some related maternal traits in a crossbreeding project of Egyptian Gabali breed with Spanish V-line in rabbits.

This study was conducted in a four-year rabbit project that aimed to develop a synthetic line named Moshtohor (M) by crossing Sinai Gabali breed (G) with the Spanish V-line (V). The G, V, F(1) (G x V), F(2) (G x V)(2) and M line were analysed. Traits of doe body weight at delivery (DBW), litter size at birth (LSB) and at weaning (LSW), milk production during the first, second, third and fourth week of lactation and total milk yield (TMY) were recorded. Data were analysed using a repeatability uni-trait animal model to estimate the genetic parameters and estimable functions of genetic group effects. Based on them and the matrix of their variance-covariance, the crossbreeding parameters were also estimated. Estimates of heritabilities for all the studied traits were low ranging from 0.06 to 0.11 for DBW, LSB and LSW and from 0.0 to 0.06 for milk production traits. Permanent environmental effects were very low ranging from 0.0 to 0.10 for all the traits, except for DBW (0.41). Least square means of V line were superior (p < 0.05) in DBW (3253 versus 3037 g) and LSB (6.71 versus 6.28 young) relative to G breed. M line had superiority in LSB (6.94 young) compared with G breed. M line and G breed were better than V line for milk production traits (3415 and 3236 versus 2893 g for TMY). Significant effects of direct additive were observed for most traits studied (ranged from -6.8 to 20.7%). Effects of individual heterosis for most milk production traits were significant and ranged from 2.1 to 13.9%, but they were not significant for DBW, LSB and LSW. On the opposite side, effects of maternal heterosis for all the traits were not significant.

[Long QT syndrome in children: analysis of the Lyon series]. / Syndrome du QT long congénital chez l'enfant. Analyse de la série lyonnaise.

Congenital long QT syndrome is a rare and serious disorder in children. In addition to the clinical and electrocardiographical diagnostic criteria, molecular biochemistry has identified six genes which are implicated in this pathology. Our study involved a retrospective analysis of 23 patients aged less than 21 with congenital long QT syndrome, followed up for an average of two years. Genotypes were obtained for all of the patients. There were unfortunately two deaths, one of which had a mutation in the SCN5A gene. The other patient had a double mutation of the SCN5A and KCNE2 genes. Symptomatic patients had QT and QTc intervals noticeably longer than the asymptomatic patients, although this difference was not shown to be significant. LQT3 patients as well as those with a double mutation were affected more severely because two of the three LQT3 patients and one of the two patients with a double mutation suffered a cardiac arrest. Three patients in our study showed no mutation. Nevertheless, two of them suffered a severe cardiac event. This confirms the limits of genetic diagnosis, which could be envisaged in all cases. All of the clinical and ECG data should be combined with the genetic analysis in order to confirm the diagnosis.

[Gliosarcomas. A case report]. / Gliosarcome. A propos d'un cas.

Gliosarcomas account for 2% of glioblastomas. We report a case of gliosarcoma in a 65-year-old man, which presented as meningioma, and discuss diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects of this particular entity.

[Pelvic tuberculosis mimicking bilateral ovarian tumor. A case report]. / Tuberculose pelvienne simulant une tumeur ovarienne bilatérale: à propos d'un cas.

Tuberculosis is a curable infectious disease which can mimic ovarian cancer. This case report illustrates that the association of a pelvic mass with elevated CA125 is not necessarily suggestive of ovarian malignancy. A 22-Year-old woman presenting with bilateral ovarian masses and an elevated CA 125 underwent an exploratory laparotomy to search for ovarian tumor. The final pathology diagnosis was ovarian tuberculosis without pulmonary involvement. Tuberculosis is a differential diagnosis to consider in patients with a pelvic mass because of the lack of pathognomonic clinical and biological signs.

Plasma fatty acid status in Moroccan children: increased lipid peroxidation and impaired polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in protein-calorie malnutrition.

In previous studies on plasma fatty acid and antioxidant status in 29 malnourished Moroccan children (12 with mild protein-calorie malnutrition, 17 with severe protein-calorie malnutrition) compared to 15 healthy control children from the same area, we pointed out that these populations were heterogeneous in terms of their essential fatty acid and antioxidant status. The aim of the present study was to classify the children using the Waterlow classification and their essential fatty acid status. The discrepancies in lipid parameters, nutritional and inflammatory markers, blood oxidative indexes, antioxidant micronutrients or trace elements (selenium, zinc, vitamin E) related to polyunsaturated fatty acids were checked in these populations. Eight of the control subjects and nine of the severe protein-calorie malnutrition children were essential fatty acid-deficient, compared to only one of the mild protein-calorie malnutrition group. Examination of the essential fatty acid-sufficient subjects with mild protein-calorie malnutrition, compared to the essential fatty acid-sufficient control subjects, showed only a decrease in Z scores and a non-significant decrease in selenium and vitamin E. In severely malnourished children, albumin, cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, plasma selenium, vitamin E and zinc were low, whereas inflammatory proteins and triglycerides were high. These features worsened with essential fatty acid deficiency. In all protein-calorie malnutrition subjects, there was oxidative stress (increase in thiobarbituric-acid reactants, imbalance between plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid, vitamin E and selenium levels), even in the absence of essential fatty acid deficiency. Monounsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid/stearic acid (C18:1 n-9/C18:0) delta9 desaturase and n-3 and n-6 elongase activity indexes increased. The C18:1/C18:0 delta9 desaturase activity index was negatively correlated to Z scores (r = -0.44, P< 0.01 for Z score weight, r = -0.39, P < 0.01 for Z score height), albumin (r = -0.82, P < 0.01) and zinc (r = -0.51, P< 0.01) levels. In essential fatty acid-deficient, severe protein-calorie malnutrition subjects, delta6 desaturase activity was impaired, and there was a non-significant decrease in arachidonic acid. Essential fatty acid deficiency is a type of malnutrition, and is associated with an aggravation of all parameters in severe protein-calorie malnutrition. The increase in the C18:1/C18:0 delta9 desaturase activity and enhanced lipid peroxidation without any essential fatty acid deficiency could be early markers of protein-calorie malnutrition.

[Intracranial meningioma in an infant. Report of a case]. / Méningiome intracrânien du nourrisson. A propos d'une observation.

We report a case of a benign temporal meningioma in 1 month old infant. The diagnosis was revealed by atypical seizure. The physical exam was normal. We underline the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic aspects of this condition.

Lipids, lipoproteins, and fatty acids during infantile marasmus in the Fès area of Morocco.

The lipid composition of plasma, including total HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apo AI, apo B, and fatty acids was investigated in 29 malnourished Moroccan children in two groups: 12 children with mild PCM, and 17 with severe PCM. Normally nourished children from the same area (n = 15) served as controls. The severe malnourished children showed a significant reduction of apo AI, total and LDL cholesterol, and an increase in the levels of triglycerides. Furthermore, these children showed a decrease in the saturated fatty acids myristic and stearic acid, and a similar decrease in the essential fatty acid (EFA) metabolites, especially eicosatrienoic acid, arachidonic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid, with an increase in the oleic and cisvaccenic monounsaturated fatty acids. In contrast, the PCM group showed only an increase of docosatetraenoic and docosapentaenoic, with an associated decrease in myristic acid and palmitic acid. On the other hand, the indexes of delta 9 desaturase and elongase n-3 and n-6 were increased, and this was found to be related to the severity of the malnutrition. These results suggest that the severity of malnutrition is associated with an increase of desaturation and elongation of PUFA, EFA deficiency and/or peroxidation.

Trace elements and protein-calorie malnutrition in the Fès area (Morocco).

Copper and selenium are essential micronutrients for development and growth as well as being necessary for the immune system and as an antioxidant defense. These trace elements present a variable distribution according to geographic regions. Several studies have shown reduced serum copper and selenium levels, as well as the activity of erythrocyte copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD) and selenium-glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the erythrocyte enzymatic activity depending on copper or selenium and the levels of these elements in serum. Fifty-six Moroccan children between the age of 6 to 60 months were selected, then divided into 20 control group children and 36 patients suffering from PCM (15 mildly malnourished and 21 severely malnourished). The malnourished group showed a significant decrease of selenium and copper levels that was related to the severity of malnutrition. Serum selenium decreased more than serum copper. No differences were noted between the groups in erythrocyte GPX activity, whereas SOD activity showed more discrepancy than in the copper levels in malnutrition. Serum copper or ceruloplasmin levels could be used as indicators of the severity of malnutrition, whereas the selenium levels could be used as indicators of the nutritional status.

Tandem mass spectrometry studies of acetone and acetone/water cluster ions.

Ion clusters were formed in a temperature-variable high-pressure ion source from neat acetone and acetone/water mixtures and subjected to tandem mass spectrometry studies-unimolecular and collisionally activated mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectroscopy. The predominance of water loss from H(+)(H20)(A) l=3, where A = acetone, suggests that the solvation sphere around H3O(+) does not close at l = 3, contrary to the case of acetonitrile or dimethyl ether. The results may be interpreted in terms of suggested ion structures which involve isomerization enroute to dissociation. The virtual absence of H/D scrambling in the collisionally activated dissociation of H3O(+)(DA)3, DA =acetone-d 6, and of D3O(+)(A)3 means that if enolization takes place, it is a rate-determining step in an irreversible isomerization. The stability of H(+)(H2O)(A)3 is a dominant factor in the observation of acetone loss from H(+)(H20)(A)4.

Microsomal formation and chemical decomposition of pargyline N-oxide.

Pargyline undergoes metabolic N-oxidation in rat and rabbit liver microsomal preparations. The reaction requires oxygen and is NADPH dependent. N-oxidation and N-demethylation are equal in both control and induced rat liver microsomes, while N-oxidation is more dominant in rabbit tissue. Experiments investigating the CO-sensitivity and the effects of metyrapone suggest that cytochrome P-450 systems are involved in both reactions in the rat while an additional enzyme is responsible for the N-oxidation in the rabbit. Pargyline N-oxide is characterized by chemical instability and undergoes two consecutive rearrangements to yield propenal and Schiff bases, the latter undergoing hydrolysis to aldehydes and primary amines. Accordingly, due to the inherent instability of the N-oxide, metabolic N-oxidation of pargyline is, in addition to alpha-carbon oxidation, indicated as a metabolic route to benzaldehyde. Similarly the ease with which pargyline N-oxide generates propenal implicates N-oxidation as a metabolic route to be considered when evaluating the toxicity of pargyline.