Population-wide genetic analysis of Ovar-DQA1 and DQA2 loci across sheep breeds in India revealed their evolutionary importance and fitness of sheep in a tropical climate.

Genetic variability at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is important in any species due to significant role played by MHC for antigen presentation. DQA locus has not been studied for its genetic variability across sheep population in India. In the present study, MHC of sheep at DQA1 and DQA2 loci were evaluated across 17 Indian sheep breeds. Results revealed high degree of heterozygosity (10.34% to 100% for DQA1 and 37.39 to 100% for DQA2). 18 DQA1 alleles and 22 DQA2 alleles were isolated in different breeds. Nucleotide content for DQA region revealed richness of AT content (54.85% for DQA1 and 53.89% for DQA2). DQA1 and DQA2 sequences clustered independently. We could see evidence of divergence of DQA as DQA1 and DQA2 across sheep breeds. Wu-Kabat variability index revealed vast genetic variation across DQA1 and DQA2, specifically at peptide binding sites (PBS) that consisted 21 residues for DQA1 and 17 residues for DQA2. Evolutionary analysis revealed the presence of positive and balancing selection for DQA1 locus, however DQA2 was under purifying selection across sheep breeds. Higher heterozygosity and large diversity at both loci especially at PBS indicated the fitness of the sheep population for evading pathogens and adapt to the harsh tropical climate.

Cross-population genetic analysis revealed genetic variation and selection in the Ovar-DRB1 gene of Indian sheep breeds.

In sheep, MHC variability is studied widely to explore disease association. The aim of the current study was to explore the genetic diversity of Ovar-DRB diversity across sheep breeds of India. Here, Ovar-DRB1 locus was studied across 20 sheep breeds. DRB1 was amplified (301 bp) and sequenced using a PCR-sequence-based typing approach. Results revealed a high degree of heterozygosity across breeds (mean: 73.99%). Overall mean distance for DRB1 was highest in Sangamneri (0.18) and lowest in Madgyal sheep (0.10). There was a higher rate of transition, across breeds. Further, 39 alleles were isolated in different breeds, out of which 10 were new. To allow easy access and use of the immune-polymorphic database, an online database management system was launched (http://www.mhcdbms.in/). Nucleotide content across breeds for the DRB1 region revealed the richness of GC content (59.26%). Wu-Kabat index revealed vast genetic variation across peptide binding sites (PBS) of DRB1. Residues 6, 66, 69, 52, and 81, were polymorphic showing utility for antigen presentation. All breeds were under positive selection for DRB1 locus (dN > dS). Study revealed the importance of DRB locus diversity for beta chain specifically at PBS across sheep breeds of the Indian subcontinent and presented evidence of positive selection for DRB owing to its evolutionary significance.

Performance evaluation of Marwari lambs for growth traits and impact of inbreeding.

This study aimed at the performance evaluation of a closed flock of Marwari sheep and also to study the effect of accumulated inbreeding on the growth traits using a linear mixed model methodology. The data generated for 39 years (1981 to 2020) on Marwari sheep maintained at ICAR-Central Sheep & Wool Research Institute, Arid Region Campus (CSWRI, ARC), Bikaner, Rajasthan, India were used for analysis on growth traits. The overall least-squares means (LSM) of live weights at birth (BWT), weaning (3MWT), 6 months (6MWT), 9 months (9MWT) and 12 months (12MWT) were observed to be 3.02 ± 0.01, 14.30 ± 0.04, 20.12 ± 0.05, 23.68 ± 0.06 and 26.39 ± 0.07 kg, respectively. Overall LSM for average daily gain from birth to 3 months (ADG1), 3 to 6 months (ADG2) and 6 to 12 months (ADG3) were 125.44 ± 0.40, 67.37 ± 0.40 and 35.83 ± 0.29 g/day, respectively. Kleiber ratio (KR) from birth to 3 months (KR1), 3 to 6 months (KR2), and 6 to 12 months (KR3) were 16.78 ± 0.02, 6.58 ± 0.04 and 3.05 ± 0.02, respectively. Results revealed a 4.36, 25.83, 36.33, 31.50 and 28.99% improvement in the live weights since the inception of the improvement programme. This is also reflected by a significant effect of sire on all the growth traits. The estimate of inbreeding in the flock was 1.55%. Highly inbred animals were 5.13% (>5% Fi). The study revealed the non-significant effect of inbreeding level on all growth traits except for BWT and KR3. For BWT, inbreeding classes had variation; however, a negative effect was not seen. The inbreeding class (>5% Fi) was reduced by 0.05 units for KR3 as against its preceding class. Dam's age at lambing and weight influenced the birth weight and subsequent weights. The study concluded that the selection programme of Marwari sheep is in the right direction; however, regular monitoring of inbreeding is necessary and factors affecting growth must be monitored to attain better growth rates in the nucleus.

Genetic parameter estimates for reproductive traits in Chokla ewes of India.

Early selection of ewes for better reproductive performance may reduce generation interval and increase genetic gains. Considering this, the present study aimed to derive the genetic parameter estimates of ten reproductive traits in 1172 maiden Chokla ewes over a period of 22 years. Initially, the traits, namely age at first service (AFS), weight at first service (WFS), age at first successful service (ASS), weight at first successful service (WSS), age at first lambing (AFL), ewe's weight at first lambing (WFL), first lambing interval (LI1), first service period (SP1), first parity lamb survival (SUR1) and first service fertility rate (FER1) were analysed for the effects of genetic and non-genetic factors. The significant effects were fitted into six animal models to estimate the genetic parameters. The heritability estimates were low for the age traits and FER1 (0.06-0.09) but moderate for the rest of the traits (0.16-0.23), indicating the suitability of these traits for improvement through direct selection. The maternal direct and permanent effects were meagre for all the traits. The ewe weights had strongly negative correlations with the age of sexual maturity and positive correlations with lamb survival. The results emphasise the need to optimize the weights of maiden ewes to improve reproductive performance.

The breeding structure for the small ruminant resources in India.

Intense selection for a few desired traits has resulted in reduction of the effective population size (Ne) in most of the plant and livestock populations across the world. The objective of the research was to assess the impact of Ne on the genetic architecture of the population in a simulated data with variable Ne for general population under selection. Along with this, the estimate of Ne and its ratio to adult breeding population (NB) in the census data of small ruminants of India were also investigated. Results indicated that the average inbreeding ([Formula: see text]) decreases with increase in Ne; similarly, increase in [Formula: see text] per generation was highest in population with lowest Ne. Correlation of estimated breeding value (EBV) with true breeding value (TBV) was not much affected with effective population size. An effective number of chromosome segments (Me) in the populations under selection were significantly affected by magnitude of Ne, with linear positive relation between Ne and Me. Results on livestock census data revealed that all the sheep and goat breeds have sufficiently large Ne based on derived and actual census data. The median for ratio of effective population size to adult census size in sheep breeds was 0.120 and for goat breeds was 0.131. Karnah and Poonchi sheep shares the status of endangered breeds due to a smaller number of breeding female population and hence need attention for conservation. The Ne was large in sheep and goat due to less selection pressure as a result of low coverage of breed improvement programs, availability of large number of breeding males, and absence of artificial insemination (AI) in the field flocks. The estimates of Ne and its ratio to the adult census size (NB) excluded several factors such as fluctuating population size and overlapping generations. Study revealed introspection from most of the industrial breeding programs on the issue of Ne for populations under selection. Similarly, in small ruminants, large Ne indicates huge genetic diversity and scope of improvement in the productivity in near future.

Use of Bauru Yardstick in Patients With Complete Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate at an Indian Center.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dental arch relationship in treated bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) cases at an Indian cleft center using the Bauru yardstick. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Digital photographs of the dental cast of 50 consecutively treated patients (28 males and 22 females) with nonsyndromic BCLP at an Indian cleft center were rated by 2 examiners as per the Bauru yardstick for the 12-year-old age group. The average age group was 12 ± 0.62 years. All cases were treated with same surgical protocol. RESULTS: The inter-examiner agreement between the 3 examiners was found to be very high, with weighted kappa values ranging from 0.894 to 0.951. The intraexaminer agreement between the 2 examinations for all the examiners was also found to be very high, with weighted kappa values ranging from 0.894 to 0.931. Seventy-eight percent of patients were rated with a Bauru yardstick score of 1+2. In addition, 10% of patients were rated with a score of 3, 8% as 4, and 4% as 5. The overall Bauru yardstick score for the center was 2.36. CONCLUSION: The protocol followed for the repair of BCLP cases by the center was found to be a good regimen in regard to the Bauru yardstick score.

Estimates of (co)variance components and genetic parameters for growth traits in Sirohi goat.

Data were collected over a period of 21 years (1988-2008) to estimate (co)variance components for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), 6-month weight (6WT), 9-month weight (9WT), 12-month weight (12WT), average daily gain from birth to weaning (ADG1), weaning to 6WT (ADG2), and from 6WT to 12WT (ADG3) in Sirohi goats maintained at the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan, India. Analyses were carried out by restricted maximum likelihood, fitting six animal models with various combinations of direct and maternal effects. The best model was chosen after testing the improvement of the log-likelihood values. Heritability estimates for BWT, WWT, 6WT, 9WT, 12WT, ADG1, ADG2, and ADG3 were 0.39 ± 0.05, 0.09 ± 0.03, 0.06 ± 0.02, 0.09 ± 0.03, 0.11 ± 0.03, 0.10 ± 0.3, 0.04 ± 0.02, and 0.01 ± 0.01, respectively. For BWT and ADG1, only direct effects were significant. Estimate of maternal permanent environmental effect were important for body weights from weaning to 12WT and also for ADG2 and ADG3. However, direct maternal effects were not significant throughout. Estimate of c (2) were 0.06 ± 0.02, 0.03 ± 0.02, 0.06 ± 0.02, 0.05 ± 0.02, 0.02 ± 0.02, and 0.02 ± 0.02 for 3WT, 6WT, 9WT, 12WT, ADG2, and ADG3, respectively. The estimated repeatabilities across years of ewe effects on kid body weights were 0.10, 0.08, 0.05, 0.08, and 0.08 at birth, weaning, 6, 9, and 12 months of age, respectively. Results suggest possibility of modest rate of genetic progress for body weight traits and ADG1 through selection, whereas only slow progress will be possible for post-weaning gain. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between body weight traits were high and positive. High genetic correlation between 6WT and 9WT suggests that selection of animals at 6 months can be carried out instead of present practice of selection at 9 months.

Genetic analysis for growth traits of prolific Garole × Malpura (GM) sheep.

The FecB gene of Garole sheep was introgressed into non-prolific Malpura sheep to evolve a new prolific sheep strain Garole × Malpura (GM), suitable for semi-arid conditions. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of breeding program on production profile of GM sheep and to estimate the genetic parameters for growth traits of GM sheep. Overall prolificacy increased significantly in the new strain as compared to the native Malpura sheep. In the GM flock of F2 and F2 onwards generation 35.31% single, 55.83% twins, 8.16% triplet and 0.70% quadruplets were obtained during lambing. Over the years, prolificacy in the flock has increased significantly. Over all least squares means for birth weight, 3, 6, 9, 12 month weight, pre-weaning gain (ADG1) and post-weaning gain (ADG2) were 1.82 ± 0.03, 9.44 ± 0.18, 14.00 ± 0.24, 16.56 ± 0.33, and 19.32 ± 0.35 kg, and 84.08 ± 1.84 and 35.19 ± 0.99 g, respectively. Majority of the fixed effects had significant influence on the performance traits. The heritability estimates for birth, 3, 6, 9, 12 month weight, ADG1 and ADG2 were 0.30 ± 0.11, 0.22 ± 0.09, 0.23 ± 0.10, 0.27 ± 0.10, 0.30 ± 0.11, 0.17 ± 0.08, and 0.17 ± 0.10, respectively. Modest rate of genetic progress seems possible for these traits under selection. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among different body weights were moderate to high and positive. The genetic correlation of pre and post-weaning daily gains with body weight traits were also high and positive.

Estimates of (co)variance components and genetic parameters for growth traits of Avikalin sheep.

(Co)variance components and genetic parameters for various growth traits of Avikalin sheep maintained at Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan, India, were estimated by Restricted Maximum Likelihood, fitting six animal models with various combinations of direct and maternal effects. Records of 3,840 animals descended from 257 sires and 1,194 dams were taken for this study over a period of 32 years (1977-2008). Direct heritability estimates (from best model as per likelihood ratio test) for weight at birth, weaning, 6 and 12 months of age, and average daily gain from birth to weaning, weaning to 6 months, and 6 to 12 months were 0.28 +/- 0.03, 0.20 +/- 0.03, 0.28 +/- 0.07, 0.15 +/- 0.04, 0.21 +/- 0.03, 0.16 and 0.03 +/- 0.03, respectively. Maternal heritability for traits declined as animal grows older and it was not at all evident at adult age and for post-weaning daily gain. Maternal permanent environmental effect (c(2)) declined significantly with advancement of age of animal. A small effect of c(2) on post-weaning weights was probably a carryover effect of pre-weaning maternal influence. A significant large negative genetic correlation was observed between direct and maternal genetic effects for all the traits, indicating antagonistic pleiotropy, which needs special care while formulating breeding plans. A fair rate of genetic progress seems possible in the flock by selection for all traits, but direct and maternal genetic correlation needs to be taken in to consideration.

Budesonide in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: the first year of experience in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Delayed release budesonide was approved by the FDA for the treatment of mildly to moderately active Crohn's disease involving the ileum and ascending colon. Controlled trials have demonstrated that budesonide is effective in inducing remission and for maintenance of remission, with less frequent steroid side effects than conventional steroids. We sought to determine the benefit of this medication in clinical practice and to identify any non-FDA-approved uses that may warrant further study. METHODS: Patients in whom oral budesonide was prescribed between November 1, 2001 and October 31, 2002, were identified and medical records were reviewed. Patients were categorized by indication for therapy: ileocolonic Crohn's disease (group 1), Crohn's disease elsewhere (group 2), and other conditions (group 3). RESULTS: A total of 225 patients were identified (108 in group 1, 62 in group 2, and 55 in group 3). Group 3 included patients with microscopic colitis (n = 28), pouchitis (n = 13), ulcerative colitis (n = 12), and celiac disease (n = 2). A favorable outcome occurred in 61% of group 1 patients but only 24% of patients in group 2. In group 3, only microscopic colitis patients and pouchitis patients experienced response rates >50% (77% and 60%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Budesonide is effective in a majority of patients with ileocolonic Crohn's disease and microscopic colitis, which is consistent with results reported from clinical trials. A majority of patients with pouchitis also benefit from budesonide therapy, but prospective controlled trials are necessary to clarify the benefit in this group.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome after immunization with smallpox, anthrax, and tetanus vaccines.

A 19-year-old male military recruit developed erythema multiforme 20 days after receiving a triad of vaccinations: smallpox (vaccinia virus), anthrax, and tetanus. Over the course of a few days, the erythema multiforme evolved into Stevens-Johnson syndrome, associated with widespread bullae, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, and fever. After 7 days of conservative management, the patient's signs and symptoms improved. This case serves as a timely reminder of a severe and potentially life-threatening complication of smallpox vaccination.

The effect of prior sphincterotomy on the secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (s-MRCP).

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: A lack of pancreatic duct compliance and decreased duodenal filling on secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (s-MRCP) has been noted in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Whether endoscopic sphincterotomy can affect pancreatic duct compliance and duodenal filling on diagnostic s-MRCP is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients referred to the authors' clinic from December 2006 to December 2007 was performed. Those patients with no evidence of chronic pancreatitis who underwent s-MRCP were studied. Findings on s-MRCP were analyzed, specifically noting change in pancreatic duct diameter size from baseline to maximum dilation and duodenal filling after secretin administration (0.2 microg/kg intravenous dose of human secretin). RESULTS: Of the 34 patients studied, 12 underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy, and 22 had intact sphincters of Oddi. In the sphincterotomy group, there was a mean change of 0.2 cm (range, 0.0-0.4 cm), while in the nonsphincterotomy group, the mean change was 0.9 cm (range, 0.3-2.0 cm) after secretin administration. The difference was significant (P < .005). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic sphincterotomy significantly decreases pancreatic duct dilation in response to secretin on s-MRCP. However, further studies are required to determine the effect sphincterotomy has on the amount of duodenal filling and the rate at which duodenal filling occurs.