Validation of SNP markers for thermotolerance adaptation in Ovis aries adapted to different climatic regions using KASP-PCR technique.

A study on 51 SNPs belonging to 29 genes related to heat stress was carried out in 720 sheep from 17 different breeds adapted to different climates from Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Morocco and Romania, using Kompetitive Allele-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction. Genotype frequency and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were calculated, followed by a clustering using the Principal Component Analysis. We analyzed the polymorphisms in the following genes analyzed: HSPA12A, HSP90AA1, IL33, DIO2, BTNL2, CSN2, ABCG1, CSN1S1, GHR, HSPA8, STAT3, and HCRT. We emphasized on HSPA12A and HSPA8 genes as they were successfully genotyped in all studied flocks in which genotype frequency patterns were identified. Contrary to previous findings, the A allele for HSPA8 SNP was not observed in the heat tolerant breeds, being found exclusively in cold-tolerant breeds. The principal component analysis could not clearly differentiate the breeds, while plot concentration was slightly varied among the three groups, with HSP90AA1 and IL33 SNPs' loading values significantly contributing to PC1 and PC2. We confirmed previous works that the HSPA12A, HSPA8, HSP90AA1 and IL33 SNPs are potential candidate markers for thermotolerance adaptation in sheep. This research contributes to the genetic variability of SNPs for thermotolerance adaptability in sheep.

Effectiveness of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccines: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical effectiveness of monovalent influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccines has not been comprehensively summarised. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess vaccine effectiveness (VE) for adjuvanted and unadjuvanted vaccines. METHODS: We searched healthcare databases and grey literature from 11 June 2009 to 12 November 2014. Two researchers independently assessed titles and abstracts to identify studies for full review. Random effects meta-analyses estimated the pooled effect size of vaccination compared to placebo or no vaccination for crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) to prevent laboratory confirmed influenza illness (LCI) and related hospitalization. VE was calculated as (1-pooled OR)∗100. Narrative synthesis was undertaken where meta-analysis was not possible. RESULTS: We identified 9229 studies of which 38 at moderate risk of bias met protocol eligibility criteria; 23 were suitable for meta-analysis. Pooled adjusted VE against LCI with adjuvanted and unadjuvanted vaccines both reached statistical significance (adjuvanted: VE=80%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 59-90%; unadjuvanted: VE=66%; 95% CI 47-78%); in planned secondary analyses, VE in adults often failed to reach statistical significance and pooled point estimates were lower than observed in children. Overall pooled adjusted VE against hospitalization was 61% (95% CI 14-82%); in planned secondary analyses, adjusted VE attained statistical significance in adults aged 18-64years and children for adjuvanted vaccines. Adjuvanted vaccines were significantly more effective in children compared to adults for both outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvanted and unadjuvanted monovalent influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccines were both effective in preventing LCI. Overall, the vaccines were also effective against influenza-related hospitalization. For both outcomes adjuvanted vaccines were more effective in children than in adults.

Effect of lactate on insulin action in rats.

The aim of the study was to explore the effect of lactate on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in rats. Thirty Wistar rats, weighing 250 - 300 g. were arbitrarily divided into one of three groups (n =10): insulin (1 IU/kg) treated group, lactate (80 mg/kg), and insulin plus lactate treated groups. Blood glucose levels were measured in venous samples collected from the tail vein over 3 hour period after insulin or/and lactate administration in 30-minute intervals. To estimate the influence of lactate on insulin blood level, a total of 20 rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 5): saline, insulin, lactate, and insulin plus lactate treated group, respectively. Sixty minutes after the appropriate application of the same doses of insulin, lactate, and lactate plus insulin, as in the previous part of the experiment, plasma insulin and blood glucose levels were determined in blood samples drawn from the abdominal aorta. Lactate in combination with insulin, in comparison to insulin application alone, caused a dramatic increase in plasma insulin level (p<0,001) and more profound hypoglicaemia (p<0,001). The results of this investigation indicate that lactate application significantly increases the rate of glucose uptake from peripheral blood caused by exogenous insulin action. The possible involvement of lactate in the mechanism of enhanced glucose uptake due to insulin action after physical exercise is discussed.