Prospective study relating genotype profiles with race performance in racing pigeons.

This is a prospective study to investigate the impact of genotype profiles on race performance in racing pigeons. Genotypes studied included lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), dopamine receptor (DRD), myostatin (MSTN), and feather keratin (F-KER), as well as demographic factors such as gender, color, and the mtDNA. This study shows differences within genotypes DRD456 (P = 0.027) and F-KER (P = 0.018). For DRD456, race coefficients were lower (= better performance) for genotype CT. For F-KER, race coefficients were lower for GG, overall, while within the F-KER TT genotype race performance was best at longer distances. After including Queen L mtDNA in the model, both the effects of F-KER and DRD456 remained significant. The effect of Queen L mtDNA alone was significant (P = 0.004) and mainly driven by the effect in short distance races. In addition, birds with the checker color check had a lower race coefficient than birds with the color blue bar (P = 0.0012). Also, this effect was independently significant and remained significant in the multivariate analysis. No differences in race coefficients were seen between genotypes for LDHA and MSTN nor for the demographic factor of gender. While individual factors were related to differences in race performance, and although one could be tempted to favor a bird with DRD4 CCCT-F-KER TT-LDHA AB-checker color for long distance races, further and larger prospective studies including birds unrelated to our family of birds will be needed to confirm our findings and to determine a superior profile including multiple genetic factors.

The myth of mitochondrial DNA and race performance in racing pigeons.

This is the first prospective study to investigate the impact of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) on race performance in a closely bred family of racing pigeons in one breeding loft where there is a high percentage of male and female birds related to one foundation hen, Queen L by Jelle Roziers. This study shows that in this family of birds, which are all related to Queen L, there is no advantage of having mtDNA with regard to race performance on the longer distances. The results of this study reject the hypothesis that mtDNA genes are related to long-distance performance. Actually, this analysis indicates that those birds in this family with no mtDNA from Queen L may have better race performance on the shorter distances than those with mtDNA. This suggests that there are other genetic factors which may be related to race performance in this family of racing pigeons.

Bicalutamide as immediate therapy either alone or as adjuvant to standard care of patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer: first analysis of the early prostate cancer program.

PURPOSE: We determine the efficacy and tolerability of bicalutamide as immediate therapy, either alone or as adjuvant to treatment of curative intent, in patients with clinically localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This international program consists of 3 ongoing, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials (trials 23, 24, and 25). Men with localized or locally advanced (T1-T4, Nx/N0, M0) prostate cancer were randomized to receive 150 mg. bicalutamide daily or placebo, in addition to standard care with radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy or watchful waiting. Primary end points are time to objective progression and overall survival. In this first analysis data from the trials were combined in a single overview analysis according to protocol. RESULTS: Data are available for 8,113 patients (4,052 randomized to bicalutamide, 4,061 to standard care alone) at a median followup of 3.0 years. Treatment with bicalutamide provided a highly significant reduction of 42% in the risk of objective progression compared with standard care alone (9.0% versus 13.8%, hazards ratio 0.58; 95% confidence interval 0.51, 0.66; p <<0.0001). The overall result was reflected in 2 of the 3 trials (trials 24 and 25) with trial 3 (trial 23) showing a nonsignificant difference at this time. Reductions in the risk of disease progression were seen across the entire patient population, irrespective of primary treatment or disease stage. Overall survival data are currently immature and longer followup will determine if there is also a survival benefit with bicalutamide. The most frequently reported side effects of bicalutamide were gynecomastia and breast pain. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate treatment with 150 mg. bicalutamide daily, either alone or as adjuvant to treatment of curative intent, significantly reduces the risk of disease progression in patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. This benefit must be balanced with the morbidity associated with long-term hormonal therapy. Followup is ongoing to determine potential survival benefits of this treatment approach.