Optimization of Swine Breeding Programs Using Genomic Selection with ZPLAN.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the present conventional selection program of a swine nucleus farm and compare it with a new selection strategy employing genomic enhanced breeding value (GEBV) as the selection criteria. The ZPLAN+ software was employed to calculate and compare the genetic gain, total cost, return and profit of each selection strategy. The first strategy reflected the current conventional breeding program, which was a progeny test system (CS). The second strategy was a selection scheme based strictly on genomic information (GS1). The third scenario was the same as GS1, but the selection by GEBV was further supplemented by the performance test (GS2). The last scenario was a mixture of genomic information and progeny tests (GS3). The results showed that the accuracy of the selection index of young boars of GS1 was 26% higher than that of CS. On the other hand, both GS2 and GS3 gave 31% higher accuracy than CS for young boars. The annual monetary genetic gain of GS1, GS2 and GS3 was 10%, 12%, and 11% higher, respectively, than that of CS. As expected, the discounted costs of genomic selection strategies were higher than those of CS. The costs of GS1, GS2 and GS3 were 35%, 73%, and 89% higher than those of CS, respectively, assuming a genotyping cost of $120. As a result, the discounted profit per animal of GS1 and GS2 was 8% and 2% higher, respectively, than that of CS while GS3 was 6% lower. Comparison among genomic breeding scenarios revealed that GS1 was more profitable than GS2 and GS3. The genomic selection schemes, especially GS1 and GS2, were clearly superior to the conventional scheme in terms of monetary genetic gain and profit.

Extract from Rhus verniciflua Stokes is capable of inhibiting the growth of human lymphoma cells.

Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS), used as a food additive and a traditional herbal medicine, has both antioxidant and antitumor activities which are known to be closely associated with the polyphenolic compounds that it contains. In the present study, we purified a fraction from a crude acetone extract of RVS, named RCMF (RVS chloroform-methanol fraction), and evaluated its ability to scavenge free radicals and inhibit cell growth. In addition, the active compounds responsible for the activities were identified. Results showed that RCMF contained an antioxidant potential and strongly suppressed the proliferative capability of B lymphoma cells. RCMF-mediated suppression of cell growth was verified to be apoptotic, based on the increased DNA fragmentation and low fluorescence intensity in the nuclei after propidium iodide staining, and also on the appearance of DNA laddering. Finally, EI-MS, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectra confirmed that RCMF contained flavonoid derivatives, including protocatechuic acid, fustin, fisetin, sulfuretin, and butein, suggesting that these flavonoid derivatives are the main active compounds responsible for the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of RCMF.

Effect of acupuncture treatment on uterine motility and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in pregnant rats.

As the pregnancy stage advances, prostaglandin (PG) concentrations increase in the uterus, being responsible for the increased uterus contractility during labor. Therefore, regulating the concentration of the PGs in the uterus is important for controlling preterm delivery. In oriental medicine traditionally, an acupuncture of LI-4 controls for the function and motility of the uterus. In this study, acupuncture treatment on the LI-4 acupoint in nonpregnant and pregnant rats was evaluated for its efficacy in the expression of COX-2 enzyme and uterus motility. Whether the rats were pregnant or not, immunohistochemical localization of the COX-2 enzyme was primarily found in the uterine endometrium with weak localization in the uterine myometrium. The level of expression in these two locations was intensified by pregnancy but reduced by the LI-4 acupuncture. The infusion of PGF(2alpha) in pregnant rats caused and increased COX-2 expression in the myometrium while it caused a decreased expression in the endometrium. The uterus motility monitored during the LI-4 acupuncture reduced to 67.0% in nonpregnant rats, and to 75.0% in pregnant rats. PGF(2alpha) infusion in pregnant rats increased uterine motility to 117.3%. The significant reduction in uterus motility in pregnant rats supports the role of LI-4 acupuncture in inhibiting the expression of COX-2 enzyme that can be used to regulate complicated preterm labor.

The effect of acupuncture on uterine contraction induced by oxytocin.

Preterm labor (PTL) is one of the main causes of fetal mortality and morbidity in obstetrical medicine. Current methods of treatment are not very effective and often have significant side effects. For this reason new methods of preventing PTL are currently being sought. In Western medicine the newest development is oxytocin antagonists. In Oriental medicine acupuncture and moxibustion are being utilized for the purpose of stopping PTL. The goals of this study were to determine if acupuncture in pregnant rats can suppress oxytocin induced uterine contractions and to compare these results with those inhibited by an oxytocin antagonist. Uterine contractions were induced by continuous infusion of exogenous oxytocin. The first fetus in one uterine horn near the ovarian end was removed and distilled water-filled catheter was inserted into that vacated amniotic sac to measure uterine contractions as intrauterine pressure changes. Two acupoints of Ho-Ku (LI-4) and San-Yin-Chiao (Sp-6) were selected for acupuncture and Kuan-Yüan (Co-4) was used for moxibustion. The oxytocin-induced uterine contractions were significantly suppressed by acupuncture on the LI-4 (p < 0.05), but not by Sp-6. Stimulation of Co-4 by moxibustion had no significant (p > 0.05) tocolytic effect. The administration of oxytocin antagonist eliminated all the uterine contractions induced by oxytocin. The application of acupuncture to re-stimulate the activity that was suppressed by the oxytocin antagonist did not produce any positive results. However, prostaglandins did cause the uterus to contract. In conclusion, acupuncture on LI-4 was found to suppress uterine contractions induced by oxytocin in the pregnant rat. If acupuncture is similarly effective in counteracting the effects of oxytocin in women, then this may an alternative medical treatment for women in preterm labor.

Effects of yukmi, an herbal formula, on the liver of senescence accelerated mice (SAM) exposed to oxidative stress.

The effects of yukmi (Decoction of six plants including rehmannia), an herbal formula, were studied on liver oxidant damage induced by paraquat (PQ) administered intravenously in the senescence accelerated mice (SAM-P/8). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase as two major antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation levels were determined for six days. Data show that the activities of hepatic SODs and catalase were increased by oral administration of yukmi extracts following PQ pretreatment. Herbal medicine effectively blocked the PQ-induced effects on liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. For the histopathological changes in SAM-P/8 liver, yukmi extracts inhibited PQ-induced damage to the hepatic mitochondria and their membranes. Data suggest that yukmi extracts may be useful in protecting against oxidative damage.