Cerebrovascular response to exercise interacts with individual genotype and amyloid-beta deposition to influence response inhibition with aging

The etiology of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia is multifactorial. Yet, mechanistic interactions among key neurobiological factors linked to AD pathology are unclear. This study tested the effect of interactions between cerebrovascular function, individual genotype, and structural brain pathology on response inhibition performance, an early and sensitive indicator of cognitive executive dysfunction with aging. We quantified cerebrovascular response (CVR) to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise using transcranial doppler ultrasound and global amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition using positron emission tomography in a group of cognitively normal older adults genotyped as APOE4 carriers and noncarriers. We quantified response inhibition during a cognitive Stroop test. Individuals with blunted CVR possessed greater Aβ deposition. There was CVR-by-carrier status-by-Aβ interaction on response inhibition. Blunted CVR was associated with impaired response inhibition specifically in carriers. Despite having greater Aβ deposition, carriers with higher CVR demonstrated better response inhibition. Cerebrovascular interactions with individual genotype and structural brain pathology may provide a physiologically-informed target for precision-medicine approaches for early treatment and prevention of cognitive dysfunction with aging.

Evaluation of Chestnut Susceptibility to Cryphonectria parasitica: Screening under Controlled Conditions

Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill) M.E. Barr (Sordariomycetes, Valsaceae) is the causal agent of chestnut blight. This disease is a major concern for chestnut cultivation in Europe. The fungus colonizes vascular tissues and evolves generating cankers causing severe dieback and the death of the tree. Excised and debarked well-lignified shoots of 28 C. sativa genotypes (assay A) and of 10 progenies (assay B) were inoculated with C. parasitica strain FMT3bc2 (vcg: EU2). Fungal growth was measured along the longitudinal axis on the 3rd and 6th days after inoculation. Results indicated the inoculation methodology works and the results were clear after 6 days. Differences in susceptibility to chestnut blight among C. sativa trees of Montseny have been detected both at the individual genotype level and at the progeny level. Nineteen genotypes and four progenies showed a susceptibility to Blight not significantly different from C. mollissima. The methodology was easy to apply in extensive/preliminary selection screenings to assess the susceptibility of C. sativa materials to the Blight.

Economic Losses Caused By Rodents in Some Cultivars of Rodents in Maize Fields

This study was conducted to estimate the quantitative damage caused by rodent infestation to some types of maize and its financial transfer. At Al-Dahsa village in Farshout district, Qena Governorate, Egypt, during study period 2018 / 2019. The results showed the (quantitative) loss in corn varieties over the years 2018 and 2019, the damages of rodents to the type of maize (Hay tak 2066) were about (3.91 and 3.00 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (2737 and 2100 pounds), followed by the Balady type with about ( 3.90 and 2.34 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (2730 and 1638 pounds), followed by the single hybrid genotype (Hay tak 2055) about (3.26 and 2.57 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (2282 and 1799 pounds), while the moderate loss was recorded in crossbreeding Triple genetic (national 11) about (2.40 and 2.10 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (1608 and 1407 pounds) , followed by the three-way genotype (Watania 310) with about (2.30 and 1.84 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (1541 and) 1233 pounds, while the lowest value was recorded in the individual genotype (Watania 6) with about (1.30 and 1.04 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (1.30 and 1.04 Irdabb/ feddan) About (871 and 697 pounds), followed by the individual hybrid genotype (Wataniya 4), about (1.50 and 1.20 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (1005 and 804 pounds). The study showed significant differences between the types of maize.

Economic losses caused by rodents in some types of maize fields at Farshout District, Qena Governorate, Egypt

This study was conducted to estimate the quantitative damage caused by rodent infestation to some types of maize and its financial transfer, at Al-Dahsa village in Farshout district, Qena Governorate, Egypt, during study period 2018/2019. The percentage of the quantitative and economic losses in maize varieties caused by rodents show that the highest value of loss was recorded in genotype single cross (HYTECH 2066) were about (3.91 and 3.00 Ardab/ feddan with a value of about (2737 and 2100 pounds), followed by the (Balady) type with about (3.90 and 2.34 Ardab/fed) with a value of about (2730 and 1638 pounds), followed by the single hybrid genotype (HYTECH 2055) about (3.26 and 2.57 Ardab/fed) with a value of about (2282 and 1799 pounds), while the moderate loss was recorded in crossbreeding Triple genetic (National seeds 11 "National seeds company") about (2.40 and 2.10 Ardab/fed) with a value of about (1608 and 1407 pounds), followed by the three-way genotype (National seeds 310) with about (2.30 and 1.84 Ardab/fed) with a value of about (1541 and 1233) pounds, while the lowest value was recorded in the individual genotype (National seeds 6) with about (1.30 and 1.04 Ardab/fed) with a value of about (871 and 697 pounds), followed by the individual hybrid genotype (National seeds 4), about (1.50 and 1.20 Ardab/fed) with a value of about (1005 and 804 pounds). The study indicates the interest in agricultural operations, taking preventive measures and implementing appropriate control programs for the maize varieties most infested with rodents. Keywords: Rodent Infestation; Financial Transfer; Type of Maize; Ardab; Feddan

Microsatellite DNA heterozygosity and weight performance in Southern meat cattle breed heifers

The purpose of this study was to determine whether heterozygosity (assessed using microsatellite genotypes) was correlated with the body weight of heifers from birth to 18 months. The study was conducted on the heifers’ herd of the Taurian intra-breed type Southern meat cattle breed at Askaniiske State Research Enterprise (Ukraine, Kherson Region). During the study, we used ten microsatellite loci recommended by International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) TGLA227, BM2113, TGLA53, ETH10, SPS115, TGLA122, INRA023, BM1818, ETH3 and BM1824. The heifer’s body weight was measured at birth, at weaning, and at the age 8, 12, 15 and 18 months. Individual heterozygosity estimates (for each microsatellite loci separately) and microsatellite multilocus heterozygosity (for all used loci) estimates (MLH) were used in the analysis. ANOVA was used to determine the relationship of the dependent effects (body weight at different ages) to single locus heterozygosity using two classes: 0 (for homozygous individuals) and 1 (for heterozygous individuals). In addition, the following indicators were calculated for each genotype: the squared distances (d2) between the length of both alleles within the individual genotype for each microsatellite loci, as well as the mean squared distance (multilocus d2) between the lengths of both alleles within the individual genotype for ten microsatellite loci. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were used to measure the association between d2 scores (for each microsatellite loci) and body weight at different ages. The influence of different grades of estimates of MLH and mean d2 classes was also assessed based on ANOVA. Heterozygosity at locus BM2113 was significantly (P < 0.01) associated with heifer’s body weight at the age of 15 months and heterozygosity at locus BM1818 was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with heifer’s body weight at the age of 8 months. Significant Spearman’s rank correlations (P < 0.01...0.05) were also observed between the body weight and d2 score for four microsatellite loci BM2113, SPS115, ETH3 and BM1824. Individual mean heterozygosity estimates for 10 microsatellite loci and mean d2 estimates were weakly associated with weight performance in Southern meat cattle breed heifers.

SELECTION OF RED MOTLEY HOLSTEIN BULLS BY GENOTYPE AND THEIR EXTENSIVE USE IN BREEDING

The article describes the selection of red motley Holstein bulls by genotype imported from Germany to the state enterprise "Uznaslchilik" and their use in breeding practices, which are also characterized by breeding and productivity qualities typical of black motley types. In the study of world breeding practices, new high-yielding herds are being formed by crossing dairy red breeds with red motley Holstein breed bull-improvers. The red motley Holstein breed is also recognized in our country as an improver and is being used in artificial insemination. KEYWORDS: Red motley Holstein breed, breeding and productivity, artificial insemination, crossbreeding, selection and pairing, fertile, individual, genotype, breeding, total merit index, farm useful traits.

Tissue Culture Clonal Propagation of Hybrid White Oaks for the Urban Environment

A tissue culture system was developed to clonally propagate a series of hybrid white oaks (Quercus L.) at the plant breeding program of the Urban Horticulture Institute (UHI), Cornell University. From 2014 through 2018, 34 genotypes and 1966 individual explants of UHI hybrid white oaks were trialed to determine their capacity to establish, multiply, and root in a tissue culture environment. UHI hybrid oak genotypes were selected based on their known tolerance to stresses common in the urban environment (drought, alkaline soils, pests, and diseases) and their ornamental qualities. Individual genotype was the single largest factor affecting successful establishment, multiplication, stabilization, and rooting of hybrid oaks in vitro. Thirteen clones of hybrid oaks were identified as having the capacity to stabilize and grow continuously in the multiplication phase. Multiplication efficiency rates were dependent on individual genotype. Stabilized genotypes showed the capacity to be re-established during successive years. The tissue culture process was simplified and refined to make the protocols less labor intensive for laboratory technicians using these methods. This study presents a preliminary and promising method for the clonal propagation of oak species and provides a path for cultivar development for plants belonging to the genus Quercus.

Characterization of Green Gram Genotypes for Qualitative Traits

Seventy-three accessions of green gram collected from different sources along with three controls were studied for 20 qualitative characters at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Regional Station, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India during 2014–2015. Based on the plant growth pattern, green gram accessions were classified into determinate (10) and indeterminate (66). Based on pod color, the accessions were classified into brown (12) and black (64) colored pods. On the basis of seed luster, green gram accessions were grouped into dull (43) and shiny (33). Based on seed shape, green gram accessions exhibited diversity for seed shape, i.e., oval (43) and drum (33). Among the distinct morphological traits, seed luster may be used as an indicator in broad classification of genotypes into different groups rather than of individual genotype.