Association analysis of the ovine KAP6-1 gene and wool traits in Barki sheep.

Traditionally, sheep are raised in Egypt for meat and wool production. Selection for higher wool quality could increase its suitability for particular processing procedures in the wool industry, which maximizes the profit of the sheep production enterprise. In this research, the effect of genetic polymorphisms of the keratin-associated protein 6-1 (KAP6-1) on wool traits was investigated in Barki sheep. Animals were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Results identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs589531301, G > C) with three genotypes (GG, GC and CC) and the genotypic frequencies were 14.63, 43.82 and 41.55%, respectively. The KAP6-1 genotypes significantly (p > 0.05) affected greasy fleece weight (GFW; p = 0.05), prickle factor (PF; p = 0.02), staple length (SL; p = 0.038), fiber diameter (FD; p = 0.015), kemp score (KS; p = 0.048), greasy color grade (GCG; p = 0.037), luster grade (LS; p = 0.048) and the greasy structure (GS; p = 0.038). The noteworthy, animals with the CC genotype produce more wool (GFW = 1.116 kg) with longer SL (9.03 cm), finer wool (FD = 24.34 µm) and higher KS compared to other genotypes. The results of this report presented the KAP6-1 gene as a candidate gene to improve the wool production traits in the Egyptian Barki sheep and worldwide.

Minimal Access Fixation of Longitudinal Sacral Fractures: The Posterior Internal Fixator with a Minimum of Three Years of Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: It is a novel choice to have reduction and internal fixation for sacral fracture with iliac screws starting around the posterior superior iliac spine and percutaneously interconnected. METHODS: This prospective work was performed at Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt, during the period from January 2013 until January 2016. Fifty consecutive cases of longitudinal fractures of the sacrum were treated surgically using ileoileal fixation via minimal-access surgery. RESULTS: According to Pohlemann clinical score, 42 patients (84%) were rated to have excellent clinical result, 6 patients (12%) had a good clinical result, and 2 patients (4%) had a fair clinical result. Regarding social scoring, 34 patients returned back to their jobs with the same level of effort and recreational activities (68%). Ten patients returned to work but with changes in their capabilities and decreases in recreational activities (20%). Six patients changed their profession to another one that required less effort (12%). Regarding radiologic scores, 15 patients (30%) had maximum radiologic scoring (excellent), 30 patients (60%) had good, and 5 patients (10%) had fair reduction. In total, 33 patients (66%) had an excellent final result (10/10); 9 patients (18%) had a good final result (9/10), and 8 patients (16%) had a fair result (7-8/10). CONCLUSIONS: Fractures of the sacrum are challenging injuries regarding methods of fixation, choice of surgical approach, and the possibility of postoperative complications. Minimal-access ileoileal fixation provides a safe, rapid, and easy method for the fixation of such fractures. It is suitable for critical patients, as it is fast and performed with minimal blood loss. Also, because it does not require an image intensifier, it can be used in least-equipped situations, such as in war scenarios.