Mapping QTLs for Breast Muscle Weight in an F2 Intercross between Native Japanese Nagoya and White Plymouth Rock Chicken Breeds.

Nagoya (NAG), a native Japanese chicken breed, has high quality meat but low meat yield, whereas White Plymouth Rock (WPR), a parental breed of commercial broilers, has rapid growth but high body fat. We previously reported three quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for early postnatal growth in 239 F2 chickens between NAG and WPR breeds. In this study, using the same F2 chickens at 4 weeks of age, we performed genome-wide QTL analysis for breast muscle weight, fat weight and serum and liver levels of biochemical parameters. Two significant QTLs for pectoralis minor and/or major weights were revealed on chromosome 2 between 108 Mb and 127 Mb and chromosome 4 between 10 Mb and 68 Mb. However, no QTL for the other traits was detected. The two QTLs explained 7.0-11.1% of the phenotypic variances, and their alleles derived from WPR increased muscle weights. The chromosome 2 QTL may be a novel locus, whereas the chromosome 4 QTL coincided with a known QTL for meat quality. The findings provide information that is beneficial for genetic improvement of meat yield for the lean NAG breed and, furthermore, provide a better understanding of the genetic basis of chicken muscle development.

Genetic Polymorphisms in LTF/EcoRI and TLR4/AluI loci as candidates for milk and reproductive performance assessment in Holstein cattle.

The aim of this study was to explore the genetic polymorphisms in LTF/EcoRI and TLR4/AluI loci and their association with milk and reproductive performance in Holstein cattle. A randomly selected 800 Holstein dairy cows from two dairy farms (400 animals each) in Egypt were used. Based on the two farm records, association between LTF/EcoRI genotypes and milk performance traits (order of lactation, daily milk yield, days in milk, corrected milk at 305 day and dry period) was carried out. Meanwhile, exploring of TLR4/AluI genotypes effect was done on data for reproductive performance (age at first freshening, calving interval, number of services per conception, ovarian rebound and days open). DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from Holstein dairy cows of the both farms and restriction analysis of 301-bp PCR products of LTF gene revealed two genotypes: AA genotype (301 bp) and AB genotype (301, 201 and 100 bp). Meanwhile, restriction analysis of 382-bp PCR products of TLR4 gene digested with AluI yielded two alleles (A and B) and three genotypes (AA, AB and BB). The A allele was indicated by two bands at 300 and 82 bp, and the B allele resulted in three fragments of 160, 140 and 82 bp. There was a significant association (p ≤ 0.05) between LTF genotypes and milk performance traits except for days in milk. The TLR4 genotypes had significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) on age at first freshening, calving interval, number of services per conception, ovarian rebound and days open. Ordinal logistic regression statistical model also revealed that it is possible to calculate high reproductive performance traits and to predict favourable dairy cows based on LTF and TLR4 genotypes. This research reveals the effectiveness of LTF/EcoRI and TLR4/AluI loci as candidates for reproductive performance assessment in Holstein cattle.

Papaya extract upregulates the immune and antioxidants-related genes, and proteins expression in milk somatic cells of Friesian dairy cows.

Carica papaya is a perennial plant containing bioactive constituents with free radical-scavenging and immune-modulating activities. In contrast, the immune suppression is predominant in the periparturient period, where oxidative stress has a substantial impact on the mammary gland health. The aim of the experiment reported here was to determine the potential effect of C. papaya aqueous extract (CPE) on milk production traits, and expression of genes and proteins related to immune and antioxidant status in dairy milk somatic cells (MSCs). Forty Friesian dairy cows were divided equally between a control and CPE-treated groups (orally drenched 250 µg/kg bwt, once weekly a month before expected parturition and continued until 5 months post-partum). CPE did not affect milk yield or composition but upregulated the expression of ß13-defensin (DEFB13), cathelicidin 2 (CATHL2), cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CATHL3), hepcidin (HAMP), lysozyme (LYZ), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in MSCs. The environmental micro-organisms did not influence the levels of the transcripts. The DEFB13, CATHL2, CATHL3, HAMP and LYZ, but not ß1-defensin (DEFB1) transcripts and proteins were constitutively expressed in MSCs obtained from pathogen-free udders. It could be concluded that CPE has immunostimulant and antioxidant activities; thereby, it could be utilized to minimize the occurrence of mastitis.

The molecular and biochemical insight view of lycopene in ameliorating tramadol-induced liver toxicity in a rat model: implication of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and MAPK signaling pathways.

The influence of tramadol (TD) on hepatic tissue and the potential efficiency of lycopene to mitigate TD-induced hepatotoxic impacts were determined. Forty male albino rats were allocated into four groups: group I, untreated (placebo); group II, injected with TD (15 mg kg-1) intraperitoneally (i.p.); group III, gastrogavaged with lycopene (10 mg kg-1) per os (p.o.); and group IV received TD with lycopene with the same mentioned doses for 15 days. The results demonstrated that TD induced augmentation in tissue lipid peroxidation biomarker and disturbance in the antioxidant homeostasis and elevated the activity of serum liver injury biomarkers and decreased serum protein, globulin, and albumin. Hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), thioredoxin-1 (Txn-1), and catalase (CAT) activities and gene expression were decreased and glutathione content was reduced in the TD-challenged rats, and these effects were alleviated by lycopene. Furthermore, TD induced apoptosis in liver tissues as shown by DNA fragmentation and upregulation of proapoptotic Bax and Casp-3 while lycopene upregulated the antiapoptotic Bcl-2. The results of Western blot showed that lycopene initiated low expression of mitogen activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK) protein expression in liver tissues of TD-challenged rats. In addition, lycopene reduced fatty degeneration and necrosis of the liver in TD-challenged group. Our data demonstrate that lycopene appears to be highly efficient in mitigating the hepatotoxic impacts of TD by preventing lipid peroxidation and initiating modifications in the expression and activity of antioxidant pathways. Surprisingly, lycopene fortified liver tissue by inhibiting DNA fragmentation and apoptosis signaling induced by TD. MAPK activation may be dependent from ROS generation; due to lycopene which possessed antioxidant potential did have a substantial effect on MAPK activity.

Role of lncRNAs as prognostic markers of hepatic cancer and potential therapeutic targeting by S-adenosylmethionine via inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

Hepatic cancer (HCC) is a well-identified dilemma throughout the world, and hence, the molecular mechanisms and strategy for preventive protection against this malignancy are critical. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is a unique methyl granter in vast reactions, including DNA methylation, and secures the genome against hypomethylation, which is a hallmark of tumors. Consequently, SAM may control the rate of gene expression. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) transcript involved in hepatic tumorigenesis, including additional coding CEBPA (ecCEBPA) and urothelial carcinoma related 1 (UCA1), antioxidant enzymes transcripts, and relevant signaling pathway in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-prompted HCC along with their conceivable targeting by SAM at different stages of HCC in rats. Our outcomes revealed that SAM particularly when given at the starting phase downregulates ecCEBPA and UCA1 gene transcripts and ameliorate histopathological alterations in DEN-initiated HCC. Interestingly, SAM attenuates DEN-induced upregulation of PI3K/Akt protein expression. However, SAM upregulates the antioxidant enzymes mRNA transcripts and effectively diminishing DNA oxidation. The results of a DNA fragmentation assay further support the capacity of SAM to ameliorate DEN-induced hepatic malignancy. These results revealed the role of ecCEBPA and UCA1 in HCC and suggest that these lncRNAs may be helpful as prognostic and analytical biomarkers of HCC. Curiously, SAM readily targets the studied genes via inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which should make SAM an appealing agent for both chemoprevention and treatment of HCC.

Isolation, characterization, and antibiotic sensitivity assessment of Gallibacterium anatis biovar haemolytica, from diseased Egyptian chicken flocks during the years 2013 and 2015.

Gallibacterium anatis biovar haemolytica constitutes a part of the normal microflora in the upper respiratory and genital tracts of healthy chickens, but it is also associated with different pathological conditions. In the current study, 102 commercial chicken flocks suffering from respiratory disease and/or drop in egg production were investigated for the presence of G. anatis during 2013 and 2015. These flocks comprised 8 breeder, 32 layer, and 62 broiler flocks. By culture method, 20 flocks were found positive: one isolate derived from broiler breeders, 6 isolates from layers, and 13 isolates from broilers. G. anatis biovar haemolytica was identified by phenotyping and PCR. Additionally, partial genome sequencing of 11 isolates (5 layer isolates of 2013 and 6 broiler isolates of 2015) based on 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA gene sequences was performed and revealed 96.5% to 100% genetic relatedness. Antibiotic sensitivity of these isolates revealed that the 2013 isolates were highly susceptible to florfenicol while the isolates of 2015 were highly susceptible to cefotaxime. Gallibacterium anatis biovar haemolytica is a newly introduced bacteria in Egypt causing salpingitis, peritonitis, drop in egg production, and/or respiratory signs.

Spirulina platensis prevents hyperglycemia in rats by modulating gluconeogenesis and apoptosis via modification of oxidative stress and MAPK-pathways.

Spirulina platensis (SP) is a microalga with antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study explored the ability and potential mechanism(s) by which SP induced glucose lowering impact in diabetic rat model. Forty rats were allocated into four groups: control; streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes (STZ, 45mg/kg b.w., intraperitoneally); SP (500mg/kg b.w., orally twice weekly for 2 months) and STZ-induced diabetes+SP group. In the STZ-induced diabetic rats, SP significantly decreased (P>0.05) serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and significantly increased (P>0.05) serum insulin, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and normalized their mRNA gene expression. Furthermore, SP attenuates STZ-induced upregulation of the gluconeogenic enzyme pyruvate carboxylase (PC), the pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase-3 (CASP-3), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene expression. The Western blot results revealed that, SP induced downregulation of mitogen activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK) protein expression in hepatic tissues of diabetic rats. Additionally, SP reestablished the typical histological structure of the liver and pancreas of diabetic rats. Acute toxicity study further shows that SP is relatively safe. This study demonstrates that SP is rich in antioxidant compounds and has powerful glucose lowering effect through the normalization of increased hepatic PC gene expression. Interestingly, SP induced recovery of damaged hepatocytes and pancreatic ß-cells via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. The MAPK signaling cascade is a pivotal component of the proapoptotic signaling pathway induced by diabetes mellitus. MAPK activation may be dependent from ROS production, since SP which exhibited antioxidant activities did have a significant impact on MAPK activity.

Neuro- and nephrotoxicity of subchronic cadmium chloride exposure and the potential chemoprotective effects of selenium nanoparticles.

Cadmium (Cd) exposure leads to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are associated with Cd-induced neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) have high bioavailability and antioxidant activities so it attracted wide spread attention. The present study examined the possible ameliorative effect of Se-NPs with diameters of 3-5 nm and 10-20 nm against cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced neuro- and nephrotoxicity in rats. Rats were treated with Se-NPs (0 or 0.5 mg/kg BW, s.c.) one hour prior to the CdCl2 (0 or 5 mg/kg BW, p.o.). Pretreatment with Se-NPs significantly decreased CdCl2-induced elevation of serum kidney and brain damage biomarkers; lipid peroxidation; the percent of DNA fragmentation and nearly normalized the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and significantly increased the activity and expression of antioxidant biomarkers in the RNA and protein levels. Se-NPs also attenuated CdCl2-induced upregulation of kidney and brain pro-apoptotic B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 associated X (Bax) RNA and protein levels with preventing the increased body burden of Cd and the altered Fe and Cu homeostasis. Histopathological analysis confirmed the biochemical and molecular outcomes. Our data stated that Se-NPs appear to be effective in ameliorating the adverse neurological and nephrotoxic effects induced by CdCl2 partially through the scavenging of free radicals, metal ion chelation, averting apoptosis and altering the cell-protective pathways. The results indicated that Se-NPs could potentially included as an additive to Cd-based industries to control Cd-induced brain and renal injury.