Study association of bPRL (Bovine Prolactin) gene and milk production trait in Indonesian Holstein dairy cattle

This study was aimed to analyze the genetic variation of bPRL (Bovine Prolactin) gene and its association to milk production in Indonesian Friesian Holstein (IFH) dairy cattle. In total 49 DNA from whole blood were extracted and followed with PCR-RFLP to distinguish the genotype difference between individual samples. The fragment of bPRL gene was amplified using pair of primer forward 5’-GAGTCCTTATGAGCTTGATTCTT-3’ and reverse 5’-GCCTTCCAGAAGTCGTTTGTTTTC-3’, resulting in 156 bp PCR product size. DNA digestion then performed using RsaI restriction enzyme that recognizes 5’-GT↓AC-3’ sites with blunt-end termini. According to the study, two genotypes were discovered that are AA and AB, with respective frequencies of 0.84 and 0.16. Based on the genotype grouping of milk production data, AB genotype yielded 4016.63±1344 kg while AA genotype yielded 3314.32±1153 Kg of milk per lactation. However, there is no statistical (P>0,05) difference between both genotypes on the amount of milk yielded. It is concluded that bPRL gene was not associated with milk production traits in the studied Indonesian Dairy Cattle population.

Inducibility, but not stability, of atrial fibrillation is increased by NOX2 overexpression in mice

Aims Gp91-containing NADPH oxidases (NOX2) are a significant source of myocardial superoxide production. An increase in NOX2 activity accompanies atrial fibrillation (AF) induction and electrical remodelling in animal models and predicts incident AF in humans; however, a direct causal role for NOX2 in AF has not been demonstrated. Accordingly, we investigated whether myocardial NOX2 overexpression in mice (NOX2-Tg) is sufficient to generate a favourable substrate for AF and further assessed the effects of atorvastatin, an inhibitor of NOX2, on atrial superoxide production and AF susceptibility. Methods and results NOX2-Tg mice showed a 2- to 2.5-fold higher atrial protein content of NOX2 compared with wild-type (WT) controls, which was associated with a significant (twofold) increase in NADPH-stimulated superoxide production (2-hydroxyethidium by HPLC) in left and right atrial tissue homogenates (P = 0.004 and P = 0.019, respectively). AF susceptibility assessed in vivo by transoesophageal atrial burst stimulation was modestly increased in NOX2-Tg compared with WT (probability of AF induction: 88% vs. 69%, respectively; P = 0.037), in the absence of significant alterations in AF duration, surface ECG parameters, and LV mass or function. Mechanistic studies did not support a role for NOX2 in promoting electrical or structural remodelling, as high-resolution optical mapping of atrial tissues showed no differences in action potential duration and conduction velocity between genotypes. In addition, we did not observe any genotype difference in markers of fibrosis and inflammation, including atrial collagen content and Col1a1, Il-1β, Il-6, and Mcp-1 mRNA. Similarly, NOX2 overexpression did not have consistent effects on RyR2 Ca2+ leak nor did it affect PKA or CaMKII-mediated RyR2 phosphorylation. Finally, treatment with atorvastatin significantly inhibited atrial superoxide production in NOX2-Tg but had no effect on AF induction in either genotype. Conclusion Together, these data indicate that while atrial NOX2 overexpression may contribute to atrial arrhythmogenesis, NOX2-derived superoxide production does not affect the electrical and structural properties of the atrial myocardium.

Comparative Assessment of Thermotolerance in Dorper and Second-Cross (Poll Dorset/Merino × Border Leicester) Lambs

The objective of this study was to compare the thermotolerance of second-cross (SC; Poll Dorset × Merino × Border Leicester) and Dorper lambs. Dorper and SC lambs (4–5 months of age) were subjected to cyclic heat stress (HS) (28–40 °C). The temperature was increased to 38–40 °C between 800 and 1700 h daily and maintained at 28 °C for the remainder of the day (30–60% relative humidity (RH)) in climatic chambers for 2 weeks (n = 12/group), with controls maintained in a thermoneutral (TN) (18–21 °C, 40–50% RH) environment (n = 12/group). Basal respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and skin temperature (ST) were higher (p < 0.01) in SC lambs than in Dorpers. HS increased RR, RT and ST (p < 0.01) in both genotypes, but the levels reached during HS were lower (p < 0.01) in Dorpers. HS increased (p < 0.01) water intake to a greater extent in SC lambs, while feed intake was reduced (p < 0.05) by HS in SC lambs but not in Dorpers. HS increased (p < 0.01) blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in SC lambs only. Plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations were reduced (p < 0.05) by HS in SC lambs but increased (p < 0.05) in Dorpers. There was no effect of HS on pO2, cHCO3− and cSO2, but higher (p < 0.01) blood pH and lower (p < 0.01) pCO2 were recorded under HS in both genotypes. Blood electrolytes and base excess were reduced (p < 0.01) under HS, while a genotype difference (p < 0.05) was only observed in blood K+ and hemoglobin concentrations. Basal plasma prolactin concentrations were lower (p < 0.01) in Dorpers but were elevated at a similar level during HS (p < 0.01) in both genotypes. Dorper lambs are more resilient to HS than SC lambs. Future research should focus on confirming whether the better heat tolerance of Dorpers is translated to better returns in terms of growth performance and carcass traits over the summer months.

Genotype difference in the physiological characteristics of phosphorus acquisition by wheat seedlings in alkaline soils

Phosphorus (P) in soils occurs predominately as insoluble inorganic P and organic P. However, key factors controlling P acquisition by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings are unclear. In this study, the difference in the physiological characteristics of P acquisition in alkaline soils was investigated in wheat seedlings of two cultivars Aikang 58 and Zhoumai 22. The results indicated that the shoot P concentration of Aikang 58 was significantly higher than that of Zhoumai 22 when supplied with 0 and 70 kg/ha of pure P under field conditions. When cultured in sterile nutrition solutions with equimolar amounts of P corresponding to KH₂PO₄, Ca₃(PO₄)₂, and Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ for 6 days, the P concentration in the shoots and roots of the seedlings of Aikang 58 was significantly higher than that of Zhoumai 22. However, the P concentration of seedlings of Aikang 58 did not exhibit a significant difference than that of Zhoumai 22 when cultured in phytic acid solution. Further studies suggested that the proton secretion rate was higher, and the root phosphatase activity was significantly lower in Aikang 58 compared with those in Zhoumai 22. After 48 h of successive P starvation, the inorganic phosphate (P_i) uptake rate of Aikang 58 was significantly higher compared with that of Zhoumai 22. However, no significant differences existed in the root morphology between the two cultivars. Hence, the higher P acquisition in the wheat seedlings of Aikang 58 was attributed to a higher rate of proton secretion and a stronger capacity for P_i uptake.

Differences in renal BMAL1 contribution to Na+ homeostasis and blood pressure control in male and female mice

The renal circadian clock has a major influence on the function of the kidney. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein 1 [ARNTL; also known as brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (BMAL1)] is a core clock protein and transcription factor that regulates the expression of nearly half of all genes. Using male and female kidney-specific cadherin BMAL1 knockout (KS-BMAL1 KO) mice, we examined the role of renal distal segment BMAL1 in blood pressure control and solute handling. We confirmed that this mouse model does not express BMAL1 in thick ascending limb, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct cells, which are the final locations for solute and fluid regulation. Male KS-BMAL1 KO mice displayed a substantially lower basal systolic blood pressure compared with littermate control mice, yet their circadian rhythm in pressure remained unchanged [male control mice: 127 ± 0.7 mmHg ( n = 4) vs. male KS-BMAL KO mice: 119 ± 2.3 mmHg ( n = 5), P < 0.05]. Female mice, however, did not display a genotype difference in basal systolic blood pressure [female control mice: 120 ± 1.6 mmHg ( n = 5) vs. female KS-BMAL1 KO mice: 119 ± 1.5 mmHg ( n = 7), P = 0.4]. In addition, male KS-BMAL1 KO mice had less Na+ retention compared with control mice in response to a K+-restricted diet (15% less following 5 days of treatment). However, there was no genotype difference in Na+ handling after a K+-restricted diet in female mice. Furthermore, there was evidence indicating a sex-specific response to K+ restriction where female mice reabsorbed less Na+ in response to this dietary challenge compared with male mice. We propose that BMAL1 in the distal nephron and collecting duct contributes to blood pressure regulation and Na+ handling in a sex-specific manner.

Two SNPs (rs1801282 and -1279G/A) of PPARγ are associated with Parkinson's disease in a northern Chinese population

Background: This study aimed to assess the association between PPARγ gene polymorphism and susceptibility to Parkinson’s disease (PD) in a northern Chinese population. Methods : We conducted a case-control study which including 391 outpatients with PD and 391 healthy matched individuals. All subject genotypes on PPARγ gene in rs3856806, rs1801282, -1279G/A were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Results : Our results showed participants with AG and AG+AA (dorminant model) genotypes of -1279G/A had a higher genetic risk of PD compared to those with GG ( p = 0.024, OR = 1.781, 95% CI = 1.073-2.956; p = 0.024,OR = 1.768, 95% CI = 1.078-2.898). A allele of the -1279G/A polymorphism was presumably correlated with increased risk of PD ( p = 0.037,OR = 1.639, 95% CI = 1.027-2.616) and male PD ( p =0.032, OR = 1.998, 95% CI = 1.051-3.798) as well as early-onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD)( p =0.019, OR = 2.667, 95% CI = 1.263-5.629). Stratification analysis by age for rs1801282 indicated a significant genotype difference between EOPD and controls( p =0.005) as well as late-onset Parkinson’s disease(LOPD) and controls( p =0.008). G allele frequency of rs1801282 in EOPD subjects was significantly higher than it in controls( p = 0.006, OR =3.093, 95% CI = 1.446-6.615) and LOPD ( p = 0.009, OR =2.899, 95% CI = 1.344-6.253). Conclusions : The study showed that in a northern Chinese population, the A allele of -1279G/A might be a risk factor for PD and the G alle of rs1801282 might increase the susceptibility of EOPD.

Nothofagus trees show genotype difference that influence infection by mistletoes, Misodendraceae

Nothofagus trees host Misodendrum, an endemic mistletoe of the subantarctic forests of Chile and Argentina. Differences in the infection intensity on a given host and patches of infected trees are observed within the forest. We used allozymes to test for genetic differences between uninfected and infected Nothofagus trees (Nothofagus antarctica (G. Forst.) Oerst.) by two species of Misodendrum (Misodendrum linearifolium DC. and Misodendrum punctulatum DC.) at three sites. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination was performed using the presence of each of 26 total alleles in 166 trees of N. antarctica (89 uninfected and 77 infected). Sites with higher degrees of infection by M. punctulatum can be distinguished in the ordination. The number of infections per tree has a significant correlation with the ordination axis. ANOSIM analysis showed significant differences between infected and uninfected trees when they were infected by M. punctulatum but not by M. linearifolium. Differences between sites were also found, but the two sites with higher degrees of infection by M. punctulatum did not differ from each other. The intrapopulation genetic structure of N. antarctica could be maintained by the mistletoe Misodendrum through host selection.