Influence of incubation temperature and embryonic motility on the growth of members of Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802) / Influência da temperatura de incubação e da motilidade embrionária sobre o crescimento dos membros de Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802)

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate whether skeletal development of the Pantanal Caiman (Caiman yacare) is similarly influenced by temperature variation and controlled increases in embryo motility. All eggs were incubated at 90% humidity and 29 °C for the first 45 days. Thereafter, the incubation temperature was either maintained at 29 °C and embryos were treated with 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on days 46, 47, 48, and 49 (Group I, 29 °C 4-AP, n = 15); maintained at 29 °C (n = 14; Group II); or at 33 °C (n = 14, Group III). Embryonic movement was measured using an Egg Buddy® digital monitor on days 30, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 60, at which point embryos were euthanized and samples were collected for analysis. No differences were observed between groups with varying incubation temperatures. In contrast, embryonic motility was greater in embryos treated with 4-AP (P < 0.001) on day 49, and this was associated with higher proportions of snout-vent and hand lengths. This study demonstrates for the first time that pharmacologically induced increases in embryo motility result in phenotypic changes to the proportion of elements during prenatal ontogeny, thereby effectively altering the adaptation of the species to specific environments.

Resumo Este estudo objetivou avaliar os efeitos da temperatura e motilidade embrionária sobre o desenvolvimento esquelético de jacaré-do-pantanal (Caiman yacare). Os ovos foram incubados com 90% de umidade e empregou-se a temperatura de 29°C por 45 dias. Após, para a incubação do Grupo I a temperatura continuou em 29°C, mas associou-se à injeção de 4-aminopiridina (29°C-4AP, n = 15) aplicada nos dias 46, 47, 48 e 49, do Grupo II permaneceu em 29°C (n = 14) e do Grupo III elevou-se para 33°C (n = 14). A movimentação foi mensurada através do monitor digital Egg Buddy® nos dias 30, 35, 42, 49, 56 e 60 dias. Aos 60 dias, os embriões foram eutanasiados e coletadas amostras embrionárias. Na análise estatística não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos para o fator temperatura sobre a motilidade embrionária no desenvolvimento esquelético. Em contraste, a motilidade evidenciou diferença estatística no dia 49 para o Grupo I (P < 0,001) e apresentou maiores proporções de nariz e mão. Esses dados demonstraram pela primeira vez que o aumento na motilidade, induzidos farmacologicamente resultam em divergências fenotípicas na proporção de segmentos anatômicos durante a ontogenia pré-natal, podendo alterar efetivamente a adaptação dos animais em ambientes específicos.

Influence of incubation temperature and embryonic motility on the growth of members of Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802)

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate whether skeletal development of the Pantanal Caiman (Caiman yacare) is similarly influenced by temperature variation and controlled increases in embryo motility. All eggs were incubated at 90% humidity and 29 °C for the first 45 days. Thereafter, the incubation temperature was either maintained at 29 °C and embryos were treated with 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on days 46, 47, 48, and 49 (Group I, 29 °C 4-AP, n = 15); maintained at 29 °C (n = 14; Group II); or at 33 °C (n = 14, Group III). Embryonic movement was measured using an Egg Buddy® digital monitor on days 30, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 60, at which point embryos were euthanized and samples were collected for analysis. No differences were observed between groups with varying incubation temperatures. In contrast, embryonic motility was greater in embryos treated with 4-AP (P 0.001) on day 49, and this was associated with higher proportions of snout-vent and hand lengths. This study demonstrates for the first time that pharmacologically induced increases in embryo motility result in phenotypic changes to the proportion of elements during prenatal ontogeny, thereby effectively altering the adaptation of the species to specific environments.

Resumo Este estudo objetivou avaliar os efeitos da temperatura e motilidade embrionária sobre o desenvolvimento esquelético de jacaré-do-pantanal (Caiman yacare). Os ovos foram incubados com 90% de umidade e empregou-se a temperatura de 29°C por 45 dias. Após, para a incubação do Grupo I a temperatura continuou em 29°C, mas associou-se à injeção de 4-aminopiridina (29°C-4AP, n = 15) aplicada nos dias 46, 47, 48 e 49, do Grupo II permaneceu em 29°C (n = 14) e do Grupo III elevou-se para 33°C (n = 14). A movimentação foi mensurada através do monitor digital Egg Buddy® nos dias 30, 35, 42, 49, 56 e 60 dias. Aos 60 dias, os embriões foram eutanasiados e coletadas amostras embrionárias. Na análise estatística não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos para o fator temperatura sobre a motilidade embrionária no desenvolvimento esquelético. Em contraste, a motilidade evidenciou diferença estatística no dia 49 para o Grupo I (P 0,001) e apresentou maiores proporções de nariz e mão. Esses dados demonstraram pela primeira vez que o aumento na motilidade, induzidos farmacologicamente resultam em divergências fenotípicas na proporção de segmentos anatômicos durante a ontogenia pré-natal, podendo alterar efetivamente a adaptação dos animais em ambientes específicos.

Changes in atmospheric circulation and evapotranspiration are reducing rainfall in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Here we analyze the trends of rainfall and the frequency of rainy days over the Brazilian Cerrado between 1960 and 2021 in four distinct periods according to the seasonal patterns over the region. We also evaluated trends in evapotranspiration, atmospheric pressure, winds, and atmospheric humidity over the Cerrado to elucidate the possible reasons for the detected trends. We recorded a significant reduction in rainfall and frequency of rainy days in the northern and central Cerrado regions for all periods except at the beginning of the dry season. The most pronounced negative trends were recorded during the dry season and the beginning of the wet season, where we recorded reductions of up to 50% in total rainfall and the number of rainy days. These findings are associated with the intensification of the South Atlantic Subtropical Anticyclone, which has been shifting atmospheric circulation and raising regional subsidence. Moreover, during the dry season and the beginning of the wet season, there was a reduction in regional evapotranspiration, which also potentially contributed to the rainfall reduction. Our results suggest an expansion and intensification of the dry season in the region, potentially bringing broad environmental and social impacts that transcend the Cerrado boundaries.

Acute exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate exacerbates heat-induced oxidative stress in a tropical coral species.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is among the most commonly per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in environmental samples. Nevertheless, the effect of this legacy persistent organic contaminant has never been investigated on corals to date. Corals are the keystone organisms of coral reef ecosystems and sensitive to rising ocean temperatures, but it is not understood how the combination of elevated temperature and PFOS exposure will affect them. Therefore, the aims of the present study were (1) to evaluate the time-dependent bioconcentration and depuration of PFOS in the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata using a range of PFOS exposure concentrations, and (2) to assess the individual and combined effects of PFOS exposure and elevated seawater temperature on key physiological parameters of the corals. Our results show that the coral S. pistillata rapidly bioconcentrates PFOS from the seawater and eliminates it 14 days after ceasing the exposure. We also observed an antagonistic effect between elevated temperature and PFOS exposure. Indeed, a significantly reduced PFOS bioconcentration was observed at high temperature, likely due to a loss of symbionts and a higher removal of mucus compared to ambient temperature. Finally, concentrations of PFOS consistent with ranges observed in surface waters were non-lethal to corals, in the absence of other stressors. However, PFOS increased lipid peroxidation in coral tissue, which is an indicator of oxidative stress and enhanced the thermal stress-induced impairment of coral physiology. This study provides valuable insights into the combined effects of PFOS exposure and ocean warming for coral's physiology. PFOS is usually the most prevalent but not the only PFAS defected in reef waters, and thus it will be also important to monitor PFAS mixture concentrations in the oceans and to study their combined effects on aquatic wildlife.

Influence of incubation temperature and embryonic motility on the growth of members of Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802).

This study aimed to evaluate whether skeletal development of the Pantanal Caiman (Caiman yacare) is similarly influenced by temperature variation and controlled increases in embryo motility. All eggs were incubated at 90% humidity and 29 °C for the first 45 days. Thereafter, the incubation temperature was either maintained at 29 °C and embryos were treated with 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on days 46, 47, 48, and 49 (Group I, 29 °C 4-AP, n = 15); maintained at 29 °C (n = 14; Group II); or at 33 °C (n = 14, Group III). Embryonic movement was measured using an Egg Buddy® digital monitor on days 30, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 60, at which point embryos were euthanized and samples were collected for analysis. No differences were observed between groups with varying incubation temperatures. In contrast, embryonic motility was greater in embryos treated with 4-AP (P < 0.001) on day 49, and this was associated with higher proportions of snout-vent and hand lengths. This study demonstrates for the first time that pharmacologically induced increases in embryo motility result in phenotypic changes to the proportion of elements during prenatal ontogeny, thereby effectively altering the adaptation of the species to specific environments.

Genome-wide association study and pathway analysis for carcass fatness in Nellore cattle measured by ultrasound.

Identifying genes or genomic regions influencing carcass-quality traits such as fatness (FTN) is essential to optimize the genetic selection processes in beef cattle. The aim of this study was to identify genomic regions associated with FTN in Nellore cattle as well as to elucidate the metabolic pathways related to the phenotypic expression. Ultrasound-based measurements of FTN were collected in 11 750 animals, with 39 903 animals in the pedigree file. Additionally, 1440 animals were genotyped using the GGP-indicus 35K SNP panel, which contained 33 623 SNPs after quality control. Twenty genes related to FTN were found on 11 chromosomes, explaining 12.96% of the total additive genetic variance. Gene ontology revealed seven genes: NR1L2, PKD2, GSK3ß, EXT1, RAD51B, SORCS1 and DPH6, associated with important processes related to FTN. In addition, novel candidate genes (MAATS1, LYPD1, CDK5RAP2, RAD51B, c13H2Oorf96 and TRAPPC11) were detected and could provide further knowledge to uncover genetic regions associated to carcass fatness in beef cattle.

Validation of a Crisis Standards of Care Model for Prioritization of Limited Resources During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Crisis in an Urban, Safety-Net, Academic Medical Center.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has overwhelmed healthcare resources even in wealthy nations, necessitating rationing of limited resources without previously established crisis standards of care protocols. In Massachusetts, triage guidelines were designed based on acute illness and chronic life-limiting conditions. In this study, we sought to retrospectively validate this protocol to cohorts of critically ill patients from our hospital. DESIGN: We applied our hospital-adopted guidelines, which defined severe and major chronic conditions as those associated with a greater than 50% likelihood of 1- and 5-year mortality, respectively, to a critically ill patient population. We investigated mortality for the same intervals. SETTING: An urban safety-net hospital ICU. PATIENTS: All adults hospitalized during April of 2015 and April 2019 identified through a clinical database search. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 365 admitted patients, 15.89% had one or more defined chronic life-limiting conditions. These patients had higher 1-year (46.55% vs 13.68%; p < 0.01) and 5-year (50.00% vs 17.22%; p < 0.01) mortality rates than those without underlying conditions. Irrespective of classification of disease severity, patients with metastatic cancer, congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, and neurodegenerative disease had greater than 50% 1-year mortality, whereas patients with chronic lung disease and cirrhosis had less than 50% 1-year mortality. Observed 1- and 5-year mortality for cirrhosis, heart failure, and metastatic cancer were more variable when subdivided into severe and major categories. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with major and severe chronic medical conditions overall had 46.55% and 50.00% mortality at 1 and 5 years, respectively. However, mortality varied between conditions. Our findings appear to support a crisis standards protocol which focuses on acute illness severity and only considers underlying conditions carrying a greater than 50% predicted likelihood of 1-year mortality. Modifications to the chronic lung disease, congestive heart failure, and cirrhosis criteria should be refined if they are to be included in future models.

CD40 Ligand Deficiency.

CD40 ligand deficiency (CD40L), currently classified as an inborn error of immunity affecting cellular and humoral immunity, prevalently emerges in boys within the first two years of life. It manifests itself as a decrease in serum IgG, IgA and IgE, with normal or high IgM, defects in T cell proliferation, and decrease in soluble CD40L. These accompany sinopulmonary and/or gastrointestinal infections, and there may be infections caused by pyogenic bacteria, opportunistic infections, autoimmune diseases, and neoplasms. Mild and moderate cases of this deficiency may respond well to prophylactic antibiotic therapy or to human immunoglobulin replacement therapy, in addition to the early treatment of infections. Severe cases can be treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which allows the healing of such patients, rather than sequelae and a poor progression. Thus, its differential diagnosis with other inborn errors of immunity is essential, especially CD40 deficiency and variable common immunodeficiency; the reason why we have proposed the present literature review.

Método não invasivo para avaliação da movimentação embrionária de Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802) / Non-invasive method for evaluation of embrionic moviment of Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802)

This study aimed to evaluate the viability of using a non-invasive digital monitor to monitor heart rate (HR) and motility during the embryonic development of Pantanal alligator (Caiman yacare) using Egg Buddy ® , at different incubation temperatures. The collection of the eggs followed the Ranching system and egg identification, transportation, and incubation were performed with the required care; all eggs were incubated with 90% humidity at 29°C for the first 45 days. Thereafter, the incubation temperature was either maintained at 29°C, increased to 33°C or maintained at 29°C and embryos simultaneously treated with 4-aminopyridine on days 46, 47, 48, and 49 (29°C-4AP). Embryo movement was measured with a digital non-invasive monitor on days 30, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 60, at which point embryos were sacrificed. In the statistical analysis no differences were observed between the groups for the temperature (33°C and 29°C); for motility, a difference was observed at day 49 for the 29°C-4AP group. This revealed that the non-invasive evaluation method can be used to verify embryonic motility and HR effectively in Caiman yacare embryos.(AU)

Flaxseed improves embryo production in Boer goats.

Flaxseed is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids and could be used as a dietary ingredient to enhance reproductive performance of ruminants. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of feeding diets with different levels of flaxseed on the nutrient intake, and quantity and quality of embryos in Boer goats. A total of 24 multiparous Boer goats were fed with a diet containing either 0, 4, 8 or 12% of flaxseed (n = 6 per group) and subjected to superovulation to determine the quantity and quality of embryos collected on 7 d after natural service. The nutrient intake was linearly associated with levels of flaxseed in the diet and, whereas while the fat (measured as ether extract) intake was positively associated, the non-fiber carbohydrate intake had a negative association with increasing levels of flaxseed in the diet. The quantity, quality and stage of embryonic development on 7 d after natural service were significantly different between levels of flaxseed in the diet. The number of viable embryos was greater in goats fed with a diet containing 4, 8, and 12% flaxseed (94, 84, and 87%, respectively) than those fed with a diet containing 0% flaxseed (65%). On the other hand, the number of degenerated embryos was greater for goats fed with a diet containing 0% flaxseed (35%) than those fed with a diet containing 4, 8, and 12% flaxseed (6, 16, and 13%, respectively). The proportion of grade 1 embryo collected was greater for goats fed with a diet containing 4 and 8% flaxseed (74 and 83%, respectively) than those fed with a diet containing 0 and 12% flaxseed (40 and 46%, respectively). In summary, our study demonstrated that feeding a diet with moderate levels of flaxseed could produce a greater number of better-quality embryos in Boer goats.

Quantitative trait loci for morphometric and mineral composition traits of the tibia bone in a broiler × layer cross.

Many economic losses occur in the poultry industry due to leg fragility. Knowing the genomic regions that influence traits associated with the growth and composition of the leg's bone can help to improve the selection process leading to increased leg resistance to fracture. The present study aimed to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for mineral composition and morphometric traits of the tibia in 478 animals from an F2 broiler × layer cross. The measurement of weight, length and width of Tibia was carried out at 42 days of age. Ash, dry matter, levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn) and Calcium:Phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio were also recorded. The population was genotyped for 128 microsatellite markers and one single nucleotide polymorphism, covering 2630 cM of the chicken genome. A likelihood ratio test was performed to find QTLs. Additive and dominance effects of the QTLs were included in the model. In the chromosomes 2 (GGA2), 6 (GGA6), 8 (GGA8), 24 (GGA24) and 26 (GGA26) some suggestive QTLs (P<0.00276) were mapped for tibia weight (GGA2 and GGA26), ash percentage (GGA2 and GGA6), dry matter percentage (GGA2), Ca (GGA8 and GGA24) and Ca:P ratio (GGA8), many of which are close to genes already identified as good candidates for those traits. The suggestive QTL on GGA2 has a pleiotropic effect on ash percentage, dry matter and bone weight, whereas in the GGA8 there seems to be two QTLs, one for Ca and another for Ca:P ratio. Thus, this study identified at least five genomic regions, in different chromosomes, that can be targeted for further research to identify potential mutations influencing the development and composition of leg bones in Gallus gallus.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the growth hormone and IGF type-1 (IGF1) genes associated with carcass traits in Santa Ines sheep.

Polymorphisms in the growth hormone (GH) and IGF type-1 (IGF1) genes have been associated with the economic traits in farm animals, including BW of some sheep breeds. However, it remains unknown if these polymorphisms also affect carcass traits in sheep. Thus, we aimed to identify polymorphisms in the GH and IGF1 genes in Santa Ines sheep in order to describe their allelic and genotypic frequencies as well as to test the hypotheses that they are associated with the carcass traits. Fragments of 4550 bp (IGF1) and 1194 bp (GH) were sequenced in up to 191 lambs. In all, 18 polymorphisms were identified in the IGF1 and 21 in the GH gene. The IGF1 polymorphisms rs430457475, rs412470350, rs409110739 and rs400113576 showed an additive effect on the internal carcass length (-0.9265±0.4223), rump girth (-2.9285±1.1473), rib yield (-1.0003±0.4588) and neck weight (-0.0567±0.0278), respectively. In addition, the polymorphisms rs58957314 in the GH affected the rib weight (-0.4380±0.1272) and rib yield (-2.2680±0.6970), loin weight (-0.1893±0.0516) and loin yield (-0.9423±0.3259), palette weight (-0.2265±0.0779) and palette yield (-0.9424±0.4184), leg weight (-0.3960±0.1375), neck weight (-0.0851±0.0394) and carcass finishing score (-0.1700±0.0839). These results allow us to conclude that there are polymorphisms in the IGF1 and GH genes associated with carcass traits in Santa Ines sheep, which can provide important information for marker-assisted selection.

Estimates of genomic heritability and genome-wide association study for fatty acids profile in Santa Inês sheep.

BACKGROUND: Despite the health concerns and nutritional importance of fatty acids, there is a relative paucity of studies in the literature that report genetic or genomic parameters, especially in the case of sheep populations. To investigate the genetic architecture of fatty acid composition of sheep, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and estimated genomic heritabilities for fatty acid profile in Longissimus dorsi muscle of 216 male sheep. RESULTS: Genomic heritability estimates for fatty acid content ranged from 0.25 to 0.46, indicating that substantial genetic variation exists for the evaluated traits. Therefore, it is possible to alter fatty acid profiles through selection. Twenty-seven genomic regions of 10 adjacent SNPs associated with fatty acids composition were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, each explaining ≥0.30% of the additive genetic variance. Twenty-three genes supporting the understanding of genetic mechanisms of fat composition in sheep were identified in these regions, such as DGAT2, TRHDE, TPH2, ME1, C6, C7, UBE3D, PARP14, and MRPS30. CONCLUSIONS: Estimates of genomic heritabilities and elucidating important genomic regions can contribute to a better understanding of the genetic control of fatty acid deposition and improve the selection strategies to enhance meat quality and health attributes.

Hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of a displaced intracapsular fracture in active elderly patients: 12-year follow-up of randomised trial.

AIMS: Our aim was to analyse the long-term functional outcome of two forms of surgical treatment for active patients aged > 70 years with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck. Patients were randomised to be treated with either a hemiarthroplasty or a total hip arthroplasty (THA). The outcome five years post-operatively for this cohort has previously been reported. We present the outcome at 12 years post-operatively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Initially 252 patients with a mean age of 81.1 years (70.2 to 95.6) were included, of whom 205 (81%) were women. A total of 137 were treated with a cemented hemiarthroplasty and 115 with a cemented THA. At long-term follow-up we analysed the modified Harris Hip Score (HHS), post-operative complications and intra-operative data of the patients who were still alive. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 12 years (8.23 to 16.17, standard deviation 2.24), 50 patients (20%), 32 in the hemiarthroplasty group and 18 in the THA group, were still alive, of which 47 (94%) were women. There were no significant differences in the mean modified HHS (p = 0.85), mortality (p = 0.13), complications (p = 0.93) or rate of revision surgery (p = 1.0) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of active elderly patients with an intracapsular fracture of the hip there is no difference in the functional outcome between hemiarthroplasty and THA treatments at 12 years post-operatively. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:250-4.

Parâmetros genéticos e efeitos de sexo e cruzamento recíproco sobre características de interesse econômico em aves F2 / Genetic parameters and effects of sex and reciprocal cross on economic traits in F2 broilers

Este estudo teve por objetivo estimar os parâmetros genéticos de características de interesse econômico, mensuradas em populações F2 desenvolvidas pela Embrapa Suínos e Aves utilizando cruzamento recíproco entre linhagens de corte e de postura. Ainda, foram avaliados os efeitos de sexo e de cruzamento recíproco sobre as características em estudo. Os pesos com um, 35 e 42 dias de idade; ganho de peso; consumo de ração e conversão alimentar entre 35 e 41 dias de idade; pesos dos pulmões, fígado, coração, moela, peito, pernas, carcaça, dorso, asas, cabeça, pés e gordura abdominal, além do comprimento do intestino, foram os fenótipos estudados. Foram estimados os componentes de variâncias genética aditiva e residual, além dos coeficientes de herdabilidade e das correlações genética e fenotípica. Os machos apresentaram maior peso para todas as características estudadas, nos dois cruzamentos recíprocos, exceto para gordura abdominal na população oriunda do cruzamento de machos de postura com fêmeas de corte. Os animais oriundos do cruzamento de machos de postura com fêmeas de corte foram mais pesados que os recíprocos, para todas as idades, além de apresentarem maior comprimento de intestino e maiores pesos de moela, carcaça, dorso, peito e cabeça. Os coeficientes de herdabilidade foram altos para consumo de ração e para os pesos ao nascimento, da moela e da gordura abdominal. As correlações fenotípicas estimadas foram, em sua maioria, baixas ou moderadas, contudo muitas correlações genéticas altas foram observadas. Ressalta-se que houve expressiva diferença nos coeficientes de herdabilidade de algumas características em função do cruzamento recíproco estudado, o que pode ser devido a efeitos materno, citoplasmático, ligados ao sexo ou imprinting.(AU)

This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for several economic traits in F2 populations developed by Embrapa Swine and Poultry National Research Center, through reciprocal crosses of broilers and layer lines. Furthermore, sex and reciprocal cross effects were evaluated. Weights at 1, 35 and 42 days of age; weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion between 35 and 41 days of age; weights of the lungs, heart, liver, gizzard, breast, thighs, carcass, back, wings, head, legs and abdominal fat; and intestine length were studied. Residual and genetic additive variance components, heritability coefficients, and genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated. Males were heavier than females for all studied traits in both reciprocal crosses, except for abdominal fat weight in chickens from the male layer x female broiler cross. Chickens from male layer x female broiler cross were heavier than those from its reciprocal cross, also having larger intestine length and gizzard, carcass, back, breast and head weights. The heritability coefficients were high for feed intake and body weight at birth, gizzard, and abdominal fat. The estimated phenotypic correlations were mostly lower or moderate, however, most high genetic correlations were observed. We found significant differences in heritability coefficients for some traits due to the reciprocal cross, which may be due maternal, cytoplasmic, sex-linked or imprinting effects.(AU)

Quantitative trait loci with sex-specific effects for internal organs weights and hematocrit value in a broiler-layer cross.

Rapid growth in broilers is associated with susceptibility to metabolic disorders such as pulmonary hypertension syndrome (ascites) and sudden death. This study describes a genome search for QTL associated with relative weight of cardio respiratory and metabolically important organs (heart, lungs, liver and gizzard), and hematocrit value in a Brazilian broiler-layer cross. QTL with similar or different effects across sexes were investigated. At 42 days of age after fasted for 6 h, the F2 chickens were weighed and slaughtered. Weights and percentages of the weight relative to BW42 of gizzard, heart, lungs, liver and hematocrit were used in the QTL search. Parental, F1 and F2 individuals were genotyped with 128 genetic markers (127 microsatellites and 1 SNP) covering 22 linkage groups. QTL mapping analyses were carried out using mixed models. A total of 11 genome-wide significant QTL and five suggestive linkages were mapped. Thus, genome-wide significant QTL with similar effects across sexes were mapped to GGA2, 4 and 14 for heart weight, and to GGA2, 8 and 12 for gizzard %. Additionally, five genome-wide significant QTL with different effects across sexes were mapped to GGA 8, 19 and 26 for heart weight; GGA26 for heart % and GGA3 for hematocrit value. Five QTL were detected in chromosomal regions where QTL for similar traits were previously mapped in other F2 chicken populations. Seven novel genome-wide significant QTL are reported here, and 21 positional candidate genes in QTL regions were identified.

De novo assembly and characterization of the root transcriptome and development of simple sequence repeat markers in Paphiopedilum concolor.

Paphiopedilum orchids (Orchidaceae) have attracted much attention from botanists and horticulturists because of their peculiar leaves and beautiful flowers. Furthermore, the dry roots of Paphiopedilum plants have well-known medicinal uses. However, it is unknown how sensitive and plastic the root genes are to environmental changes or how these environmental changes regulate the biosynthesis of active ingredients. In this study, we chose Paphiopedilum concolor for root sequencing, as it is widely used as a parent in breeding experiments. A total of 3.77 Gb of sequence data were generated by Illumina paired-end sequencing. De novo assemblies yielded 72,952 contigs, 67,434 scaffolds, 64,304 unigenes with average lengths of 937, 1022, and 1047 bp, respectively. Based on Basic Local Alignment Search Tool with known protein sequences, 40,815 (63.5%) unigenes were annotated with an E-value cutoff of 1.0E-5. Among the unigenes, 24,605 were classified in the Gene Ontology database, 17,361 were assigned to Cluster of Orthologous Groups, and 14,170 were annotated in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Among these annotations, over 1195 unigenes related to secondary metabolic pathways, as well as 609 unigenes involved in plant hormone synthesis and signal transduction, were identified. In addition, 5322 potential simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified, and 4989 primer pairs for 3975 sequences containing SSRs were obtained. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of genes that regulate root growth and development and provides a comprehensive resource for genes related to secondary metabolism in roots and for marker-assisted studies in Paphiopedilum.

Histomorfometria do epitélio ruminal de cabritos 1/2 sangue Boer submetidos a dietas com tortas oriundas da produção do biodiesel / Histomorphometrics of the ruminal epithelium of 1/2 blood Bôer goats submitted to diets with pies from the production of biodiesel

Objetivou-se determinar o melhor nível de inclusão e de substituição das tortas de dendê e amendoim, respectivamente, em dietas para cabritos 1/2 sangue Boer, por meio da avaliação histomorfométrica das papilas ruminais. Foram utilizados 40 cabritos 1/2 sangue Boer, para cada período experimental, machos, não castrados, com idade aproximada de três meses e com peso inicial de 15,01±1,76kg. Os períodos experimentais constaram de 75 dias e 72 dias. As dietas consistiram de volumoso feno de Tifton-85 e de ração em mistura completa, contendo níveis de inclusão da torta de dendê nas proporções de 0,0; 7,0; 14,0; e 21,0% com base na matéria seca; e de mistura completa, contendo níveis de substituição do farelo de soja pela torta de amendoim nas proporções de 0,0; 33,0; 66,0; e 100%, constituindo-se os tratamentos. No epitélio do rúmen, foram avaliadas altura e largura das papilas, assim como densidade papilar e espessura da parede muscular do rúmen. Entre estas, a altura das papilas, no experimento com torta de amendoim, foi a única a sofrer efeito linear decrescente (P<0,0014); as demais variáveis, tanto dos animais alimentados com torta de amendoim quanto daqueles alimentados com torta de dendê, não foram afetadas pela dieta. As médias de altura encontradas foram de 2,6 e 2,3mm para as tortas de amendoim e dendê, respectivamente. Portanto, a inclusão de até 21% de torta de dendê e a substituição de 100% de torta de amendoim no concentrado de cabritos não alteraram a morfometria das papilas ruminais.(AU)

The aim of this study was to determine the best level of pies and replacement of palm oil and peanut, respectively, in diets of 1/2 blood Bôer goats from the histomorphometry of the rumen papillae. A total of 40 1/2 blood male, unneutered, aged approximately three months and initial weight of 15.01±1.76kg Bôer goats were used in each experimental period. The experimental periods consisted of 75 days and 72 days. The diets consisted of roughage hay Tifton-85 and total mixed ration containing levels of inclusion of palm kernel cake in the proportions of 0.0, 7.0, 14.0 and 21.0% based on dry matter; and the second experiment consisted of a complete mixture containing substitution levels of soybean meal by groundnut cake in the proportions of 0.0, 33.0, 66.0 and 100%. Epithelial cells were evaluated in the rumen height and width of the papillae, and density and thickness of the papillary muscle of the rumen. Among these, the height of the papillae in the experiment with peanut butter pie was the only one to suffer a negative linear effect (P<0.0014), the other variables, both in animals fed groundnut cake and palm oil, were not affected by the diet. The average heights found were 2.6 and 2.3, for pies, peanut and palm oil, respectively. Therefore, the inclusion of up to 21% palm kernel cake and replacement of 100% peanut cake in the concentrate of kids did not alter the morphology of the rumen papillae.(AU)

Histomorfometria do epitélio ruminal de cabritos 1/2 sangue Boer submetidos a dietas com tortas oriundas da produção do biodiesel / Histomorphometrics of the ruminal epithelium of 1/2 blood Bôer goats submitted to diets with pies from the production of biodiesel

Objetivou-se determinar o melhor nível de inclusão e de substituição das tortas de dendê e amendoim, respectivamente, em dietas para cabritos 1/2 sangue Boer, por meio da avaliação histomorfométrica das papilas ruminais. Foram utilizados 40 cabritos 1/2 sangue Boer, para cada período experimental, machos, não castrados, com idade aproximada de três meses e com peso inicial de 15,01±1,76kg. Os períodos experimentais constaram de 75 dias e 72 dias. As dietas consistiram de volumoso feno de Tifton-85 e de ração em mistura completa, contendo níveis de inclusão da torta de dendê nas proporções de 0,0; 7,0; 14,0; e 21,0% com base na matéria seca; e de mistura completa, contendo níveis de substituição do farelo de soja pela torta de amendoim nas proporções de 0,0; 33,0; 66,0; e 100%, constituindo-se os tratamentos. No epitélio do rúmen, foram avaliadas altura e largura das papilas, assim como densidade papilar e espessura da parede muscular do rúmen. Entre estas, a altura das papilas, no experimento com torta de amendoim, foi a única a sofrer efeito linear decrescente (P<0,0014); as demais variáveis, tanto dos animais alimentados com torta de amendoim quanto daqueles alimentados com torta de dendê, não foram afetadas pela dieta. As médias de altura encontradas foram de 2,6 e 2,3mm para as tortas de amendoim e dendê, respectivamente. Portanto, a inclusão de até 21% de torta de dendê e a substituição de 100% de torta de amendoim no concentrado de cabritos não alteraram a morfometria das papilas ruminais.

The aim of this study was to determine the best level of pies and replacement of palm oil and peanut, respectively, in diets of 1/2 blood Bôer goats from the histomorphometry of the rumen papillae. A total of 40 1/2 blood male, unneutered, aged approximately three months and initial weight of 15.01±1.76kg Bôer goats were used in each experimental period. The experimental periods consisted of 75 days and 72 days. The diets consisted of roughage hay Tifton-85 and total mixed ration containing levels of inclusion of palm kernel cake in the proportions of 0.0, 7.0, 14.0 and 21.0% based on dry matter; and the second experiment consisted of a complete mixture containing substitution levels of soybean meal by groundnut cake in the proportions of 0.0, 33.0, 66.0 and 100%. Epithelial cells were evaluated in the rumen height and width of the papillae, and density and thickness of the papillary muscle of the rumen. Among these, the height of the papillae in the experiment with peanut butter pie was the only one to suffer a negative linear effect (P<0.0014), the other variables, both in animals fed groundnut cake and palm oil, were not affected by the diet. The average heights found were 2.6 and 2.3, for pies, peanut and palm oil, respectively. Therefore, the inclusion of up to 21% palm kernel cake and replacement of 100% peanut cake in the concentrate of kids did not alter the morphology of the rumen papillae.

Treatment of an extensive unicystic ameloblastoma in a 7-year-old child: the best approach?

Ameloblastoma is a benign, slow-growing neoplasm of the jaw that arises from odontogenic epithelium. We present the case of a 7-year-old girl with a unicystic ameloblastoma of the mandible, and describe our approach to treatment.