Analysis of nonsynonymous SNPs in candidate genes that influence bovine temperament and evaluation of their effect in Brahman cattle.

BACKGROUND: Temperament is an important production trait in cattle and multiple strategies had been developed to generate molecular markers to assist animal selection. As nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms are markers with the potential to affect gene functions, they could be useful to predict phenotypic effects. Genetic selection of less stress-responsive, temperamental animals is desirable from an economic and welfare point of view. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in HTR1B and SLC18A2 candidate genes for temperament were analyzed in silico to determine their effects on protein structure. Those nsSNPs allowing changes in proteins were selected for a temperament association analysis in a Brahman population. Transversion effects on protein structure were evaluated in silico for each amino acid change model, revealing structural changes in the proteins of the HTR1B and SLC18A2 genes. The selected nsSNPs were genotyped in a Brahman population (n = 138), and their genotypic effects on three temperament traits were analyzed: exit velocity, pen score, and temperament score. Only the SNP rs209984404-HTR1B (C/A) showed a significant association (P = 0.0144) with pen score. The heterozygous genotype showed a pen score value 1.17 points lower than that of the homozygous CC genotype. CONCLUSION: The results showed that in silico analysis could direct the selection of nsSNPs with the potential to change the protein. Non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms causing structural changes and reduced protein stability were identified. Only rs209984404-HTR1B shows that the allele affecting protein stability was associated with the genotype linked to docility in cattle.

Genetic Variants and Their Putative Effects on microRNA-Seed Sites: Characterization of the 3' Untranslated Region of Genes Associated with Temperament.

The 3' untranslated region has an important role in gene regulation through microRNAs, and it has been estimated that microRNAs regulate up to 50% of coding genes in mammals. With the aim of allelic variant identification of 3' untranslated region microRNA seed sites, the 3' untranslated region was searched for seed sites of four temperament-associated genes (CACNG4, EXOC4, NRXN3, and SLC9A4). The microRNA seed sites were predicted in the four genes, and the CACNG4 gene had the greatest number with 12 predictions. To search for variants affecting the predicted microRNA seed sites, the four 3' untranslated regions were re-sequenced in a Brahman cattle population. Eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in the CACNG4, and eleven in the SLC9A4. Rs522648682:T>G of the CACNG4 gene was located at the predicted seed site for bta-miR-191. Rs522648682:T>G evidenced an association with both exit velocity (p = 0.0054) and temperament score (p = 0.0097). The genotype TT had a lower mean exit velocity (2.93 ± 0.4 m/s) compared with the TG and GG genotypes (3.91 ± 0.46 m/s and 3.67 ± 0.46 m/s, respectively). The allele associated with the temperamental phenotype antagonizes the seed site, disrupting the bta-miR-191 recognition. The G allele of CACNG4-rs522648682 has the potential to influence bovine temperament through a mechanism associated with unspecific recognition of bta-miR-191.

Prevalencia de infección de herida quirúrgica en pacientes con profilaxis antimicrobiana en cesárea programada / Prevalence of surgical wound infection in patients with antimicrobial prophylaxis in planned cesarean section

Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de infecciones en la herida quirúrgica en cesáreas programadas del HRAEV. Materiales y método: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, observacional tipo corte transversal para determinar la prevalencia de IHQ en pacientes llevadas a cesárea programada con profilaxis antibiótica en HRAEV. Resultados: Se evaluaron 185 expedientes de pacientes sometidas a cesárea programada, con edad entre 28 a 37 años (48.1%) con un peso promedio 81 kg (DE=10.1) con un índice de masa corporal (IMC) promedio de 30 (DE=4.24) es decir un IMC entre 25.76 a 34.24. De ellas, 4 pacientes (2.16%) presentaron infección de herida quirúrgica durante cesárea programada, las cuales recibieron ceftriaxona como PA mayor a 120 minutos previo a la incisión de la piel, estos pacientes se clasifican como ASA II y tenían un IMC superior a 30 kg/m2 y sin comorbilidades registradas. El tiempo de profilaxis antibiótica más frecuente en las pacientes llevadas a cesárea programada fue >120 minutos (34.08%) y se administró ceftriaxona en el 84.86% de la población que en su mayoría es ASA II (97.83%). El 100% de las heridas fueron superficiales. Conclusiones: En el presente estudio se encontró que la prevalencia de IHQ en cesáreas programadas en HRAEV fue de 2.16%, cifra que se encuentra por debajo de la prevalencia a nivel mundial, dado a que las pacientes seleccionadas no contaban con algunos de los factores de riesgo añadidos que aumentaran el riesgo de IHQ en comparación con otros estudios.

Abstract: Objective: To determine the prevalence of surgical wound infections in scheduled HRAEV cesarean sections. Materials and method: Retrospective, descriptive, observational cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of IHC in patients undergoing scheduled cesarean section with antibiotic prophylaxis in HRAEV. Results: 185 records of patients undergoing scheduled cesarean section were evaluated, aged between 28 to 37 years (48.1%) with an average weight of 81 kg (SD = 10.1) with an average body mass index (BMI) of 30 (SD = 4.24) that is, a BMI between 25.76 and 34.24. Of these, 4 patients (2.16%) presented surgical wound infection during scheduled cesarean section, who received ceftriaxone as PA greater than 120 minutes prior to skin incision, these patients are classified as ASA II and had a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 and without recorded comorbidities. The most frequent antibiotic prophylaxis time in patients undergoing scheduled cesarean section was >120 minutes (34.08%) and ceftriaxone was administered in 84.86% of the population, which is mostly ASA II (97.83%). 100% of the wounds were superficial. Conclusions: In the present study, it was found that the prevalence of IHC in cesarean sections scheduled in HRAEV was 2.16%, a figure that is below the worldwide prevalence, given that the selected patients did not have some of the risk factors. added risk that increased the risk of SSI compared to other studies.

In vitro evaluation of the antagonistic activity of native strains of Trichoderma spp. against Fusarium spp.

Five samples of agricultural soil and five samples of Aloe barbadensis (P. Mill., 1768) plants with symptoms of wilt and root necrosis were collected in five localities of the state of Tamaulipas, México. The aims of this study were the morphological identification, molecular identification and in vitro evaluation of the antagonistic activity of Trichoderma spp. on Fusarium spp. Four strains of Trichoderma asperellum, one strain of Trichoderma harzianum and five strains of Fusarium oxysporum were identified by morphological and molecular methods. The evaluation of the antagonistic activity of T. harzianum isolate (TP) showed the highest inhibition in Fusarium spp. (78.80%). The evaluation of the antagonistic activity of Trichoderma spp. extracts in Fusarium spp. did not show significant differences between treatments (P ≤ 0.05), with Trichoderma growth percentages that oscillated between 81.08 and 94.38%. The native isolate of T. harzianum (TP) showed significant competitive capability against the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum. Trichoderma species are promising agents of biological control in the central area of the State Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Novel genes involved in the genetic architecture of temperament in Brahman cattle.

Cattle temperament is a complex and economically relevant trait. The objective of this study was to identify genomic regions and genes associated with cattle temperament. From a Brahman cattle population of 1,370 animals evaluated for temperament traits (Exit velocity-EV, Pen Score-PS, Temperament Score-TS), two groups of temperament-contrasting animals were identified based on their EV-average values ±1/2 standard deviation (SD). To be considered in the calm group, the EV of females ranged between 0.16-1.82 m/s (n = 50) and the EV of males ranged between 0.4-1.56 m/s (n = 48). Females were classified as temperamental if their EV ranged between 3.13-7.66 m/s (n = 46) and males were classified as temperamental if their EV ranged between 3.05-10.83 m/s (n = 45). Selected animals were genotyped using a total of 139,376 SNPs (GGP-HD-150K), evaluated for their association with EV. The Genome-Wide Association analysis (GWAS) identified fourteen SNPs: rs135340276, rs134895560, rs110190635, rs42949831, rs135982573, rs109393235, rs109531929, rs135087545, rs41839733, rs42486577, rs136661522, rs110882543, rs110864071, rs109722627, (P<8.1E-05), nine of them were located on intergenic regions, harboring seventeen genes, of which only ACER3, VRK2, FANCL and SLCO3A1 were considered candidate associated with bovine temperament due to their reported biological functions. Five SNPs were located at introns of the NRXN3, EXOC4, CACNG4 and SLC9A4 genes. The indicated candidate genes are implicated in a wide range of behavioural phenotypes and complex cognitive functions. The association of the fourteen SNPs on bovine temperament traits (EV, PS and TS) was evaluated; all these SNPs were significant for EV; only some were associated with PS and TS. Fourteen SNPs were associated with EV which allowed the identification of twenty-one candidate genes for Brahman temperament. From a functional point of view, the five intronic SNPs identified in this study, are candidates to address control of bovine temperament, further investigation will probe their role in expression of this trait.

Associations of SNPs located at candidate genes to bovine growth traits, prioritized with an interaction networks construction approach.

BACKGROUND: For most domestic animal species, including bovines, it is difficult to identify causative genetic variants involved in economically relevant traits. The candidate gene approach is efficient because it investigates genes that are expected to be associated with the expression of a trait and defines whether the genetic variation present in a population is associated with phenotypic diversity. A potential limitation of this approach is the identification of candidates. This study used a bioinformatics approach to identify candidate genes via a search guided by a functional interaction network. RESULTS: A functional interaction network tool, BosNet, was constructed for Bos taurus. Predictions for candidate genes were performed using the guilt-by-association principle in BosNet. Association analyses identified five novel markers within BosNet-prioritized genes that had significant effects on different growth traits in Charolais and Brahman cattle. CONCLUSIONS: BosNet is an excellent tool for the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms that are potentially associated with complex traits.