Genome-wide association study for milking speed in Fleckvieh cattle.

Milking speed is an important trait influencing udder health of dairy cows as well as labor efficiency. Yet, it has received little attention in genomic association studies. The main objective of this study was to determine regions and genes on the genome with a potential effect on milking speed in Fleckvieh (dual purpose Simmental) cattle. Genome-wide association studies were conducted using de-regressed breeding values of bulls as phenotypes. Six SNP on 4 autosomes were significantly associated with milking speed for additive effects. Significant regions on BTA4 and BTA19 correspond with findings for other dairy cattle breeds. Based on the observation of Fleckvieh breed managers, variation of milking speed in batches of daughters of some bulls is much higher than in daughter groups of other bulls. This difference in within family variation may be caused by transmission of alternative alleles of bulls being heterozygous for a gene affecting milking speed. To check on this, we considered standard deviation of yield deviations in milking speed of half-sib daughters as a new trait and performed GWAS for dominance effects. One signal on BTA5 passed the genome wide Bonferroni threshold that corresponded to the significant signal from standard GWAS on de-regressed breeding values. The key conclusion of this study is that several strong genomic signals were found for milking speed in Fleckvieh cattle and that the strongest of them are supported by similar findings in Brown Swiss and Holstein Friesian cattle. Milking speed is a complex trait whose sub-processes have not yet been elucidated in detail. Hence, it remains a challenge to link the associated regions on the genome with causal genes and their functions.

[Existential questions prior to elective surgery. Survey in a preoperative anesthesia consultation service]. / Existenzielle Fragen vor einer elektiven Operation. Patientenbefragung in einer präoperativen Anästhesiesprechstunde.

BACKGROUND: Existential questions concerning the limitation of treatment must be answered when a major complication occurs after an elective operation. In these situations, the patient himself/herself cannot be asked about his/her will. Therefore, medical professionals must attempt to determine the patient's presumed will either through an existing advance directive (AD) or by consulting with the patient's relatives. Only one-fifth of all patients create an AD in advance, and the relatives cannot always reliably reproduce the patient's presumed will. Thus, it is important to talk about issues such as do-not-resuscitate before a patient undergoes elective major surgery. However, such discussions may unsettle and frighten the patient. This study aimed to determine if patients are willing to talk about difficult questions such as resuscitation before major surgery. How many patients create an AD? Who should decide when patients themselves are no longer capable? OBJECTIVES: Between March 1 and October 30, 2014, patients who attended the preoperative anaesthesia consultation service received a one-page questionnaire. In addition to a few personal questions (e.g. sex, age, surgery, health status), the questionnaire included four questions that could be answered according to a four-point Likert scale, with a yes or no response, or a with a selection of answers. RESULTS: 272 men (45.5%) and 321 women (53.7%) with a mean age of 52.9 years (standard deviation: 17.8 years) completed a questionnaire. 312 patients (52.2%) claimed to be healthy, while 116 patients (19.4%) observed a minimal health restriction. 125 patients (19.4%) suffered from a chronic illness that markedly (n = 108) or strongly (n = 17) limited daily life. More than three-fourths of the respondents were very ready (377/63.0%) or ready (79 patients/13.2%) to talk about the treatment of severe complications after an elective operation. 12.7% of the patients would rather not to talk about this topic (n = 47) or refused (n = 37). 58 patients (9.7%) checked the box "I do not know" or gave no answer. There was no significant difference between men and women (p = 0.58). The patient's state of health did not significantly affect the patient's willingness to talk (p = 0.61). 110 patients (18.4%) had already completed an AD. The probability of having an AD is highly dependent on the age and state of health. The likelihood of having one increases by 4% for each year of life, and in health-impaired patients it is 73% higher than in healthy ones. If the patient could no longer decide for himself/herself, the following options were selected from multiple possible answers: a relative decides (n = 272), discussing this with a physician prior to surgery (n = 212), previously created AD (n = 198), the treatment team decides (n = 28), I do not know/not (n = 48). CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of the respondents were willing to talk about difficult issues before an operation, it remains unclear to what extent these results can be generalized. However, the results justify efforts to carefully inquire about and document the will of sick patients prior to major surgery. Both the treatment team and the relatives are relieved if the patient's will is known when difficult decisions have to be made.

T-cell independent IgM and enduring protective IgG antibodies induced by chimeric measles viruses.

B-cell activation depends on the intensity of B-cell receptor cross-linking. Studies of haptenated antigens and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) have demonstrated a correlation between antigen repetitiveness and the degree to which B-cell activation is independent of T cells. Here, we compare neutralizing antibody responses to inactivated VSV with those to two inactivated human pathogenic viruses: highly cytopathic poliovirus (PV) and poorly cytopathic measles virus (MV). The rigidly structured PV efficiently induced neutralizing IgM antibodies independent of T cells. In contrast, neutralizing antibodies to the pleomorphic MV were dependent on helper T cells. To test whether this resulted from the differences in virus structure or the capacity of MV to induce cell fusion and/or immunosuppression, we analyzed antibody responses to chimeric MV expressing VSV glycoprotein instead of MV fusion protein and hemagglutinin. IgM antibodies were independent of T cells; in addition, we found IgG responses dependent on T-cell help that were enduring and protective against lethal VSV infection. Because chimeric MV viruses look like MV ultrastructurally, we conclude that not only structural differences in the envelope but also the ability of MV to induce immunosuppression may limit its capacity to directly activate B cells. These findings are relevant for our understanding of B-cell activation by two prototypic human pathogenic viruses and for the design of new recombinant vaccines.

[Control of gastrointestinal helminths in goats in a mixed grazing system with cattle]. / Helminthenkontrolle bei Ziegen durch die gemeinsame Weidenutzung mit ­Rindern.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the widespread resistance of small ruminant gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) against anthelmintic drugs the established control strategies need to get adapted, aiming to reduce their high dependence from chemical drugs. Host-specific development of GIN can be used as a tool when grazing different species on the same pastures. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of mixed grazing with cattle on the development of GIN infections in goats. Goat flocks with 3 heifers (Group Mix; Visp: n = 12, Chur: n = 15) and without heifers (Group Solo; Visp: n = 7, Chur: n = 15) were grazed separately on pastures at altitudes of 910 m (location Chur) and 1240 m (location Visp) above sea level resp. during one grazing season each. The composition of the mixed groups aimed to achieve a similar intake of roughage of both species. The stocking rate and the availability of roughage in the solo groups was balanced proportionately according to the situation in the mixed groups. The individual GIN egg excretion, the composition of the GIN larvae in the faeces, the FAMACHA©-Score and the pasture contamination with infective GIN larvae was determined in monthly intervals. At both sites the goats in the mixed groups showed a significantly lower mean GIN egg excretion compared with those of the Solo groups (p .

INTRODUCTION: En raison de la résistance généralisée des nématodes gastro-intestinaux (NGI) des petits ruminants aux médicaments anthelminthiques, les stratégies de contrôle établies doivent être adaptées, visant à réduire leur forte dépendance aux substances chimiques. Le développement des NGI spécifiques à leur hôte peut être exploité, en introduisant la présence de différentes espèces d'hôtes sur les mêmes pâturages. Le but de cette étude était d'estimer l'effet du pâturage mixte avec des bovins sur le développement d'infections à NGI chez les chèvres. Des troupeaux de chèvres avec 3 génisses (Groupe Mix : Viège : n = 12, Coire : n = 15) et sans génisses (Groupe Solo : Viège : n = 7, Coire : n = 15) ont été placés sur des pâturages à des altitudes de 910 m (Coire) et 1240 m (Viège) au-dessus du niveau de la mer pendant une saison de pâturage. La composition des groupes mixtes visait à obtenir une consommation similaire de fourrage des deux espèces. La densité animale et la disponibilité du fourrage dans les groupes solos étaient en proportion comparables aux groupes mixtes. L'excrétion individuelle d'oeufs de NGI, les variétés de genres de NGI dans les fèces, le taux d'anémie (score FAMACHA©) et la contamination des pâturages par des larves infectieuses de NGI ont été déterminés à intervalles mensuels. Sur les deux sites, les chèvres des groupes Mix ont montré une excrétion d'oeufs de NGI significativement inférieure par rapport à celle des groupes Solo (p .

Role of repetitive antigen patterns for induction of antibodies against antibodies.

Antibody responses against antibodies, such as rheumatoid factors, are found in several immunopathological diseases and may play a role in disease pathogenesis. Experience shows that they are usually difficult to induce experimentally. Antibodies specific for immunoglobulin constant regions (anti-allotypic) or for variable regions (anti-idiotypic) have been investigated in animal models; the latter have even been postulated to regulate antibody and T cell responses via network-like interactions. Why and how such anti-antibodies are induced during autoimmune diseases, has remained largely unclear. Because repetitively arranged epitopes in a paracrystalline structure of a viral envelope cross-link B cell receptors efficiently to induce a prompt T-independent IgM response, this study used immune complexes containing viruses or bacteria to evaluate the role of antigen pattern for induction of anti-antibody responses. We present evidence that antibodies bound to strictly ordered, but not to irregularly arranged, antigens dramatically enhance induction of anti-antibodies, already after a single immunization and without using adjuvants. The results indicate a novel link between anti-antibody responses and infectious agents, and suggest a similar role for repetitive self-antigens such as DNA or collagen involved in chronic immunopathological diseases.

Onset of antiferromagnetism in heavy-fermion metals

There are two main theoretical descriptions of antiferromagnets. The first arises from atomic physics, which predicts that atoms with unpaired electrons develop magnetic moments. In a solid, the coupling between moments on nearby ions then yields antiferromagnetic order at low temperatures. The second description, based on the physics of electron fluids or 'Fermi liquids' states that Coulomb interactions can drive the fluid to adopt a more stable configuration by developing a spin density wave. It is at present unknown which view is appropriate at a 'quantum critical point' where the antiferromagnetic transition temperature vanishes. Here we report neutron scattering and bulk magnetometry measurements of the metal CeCu(6-x)Au(x), which allow us to discriminate between the two models. We find evidence for an atomically local contribution to the magnetic correlations which develops at the critical gold concentration (x(c) = 0.1), corresponding to a magnetic ordering temperature of zero. This contribution implies that a Fermi-liquid-destroying spin-localizing transition, unanticipated from the spin density wave description, coincides with the antiferromagnetic quantum critical point.

Ca2+-dependent muscle dysfunction caused by mutation of the Caenorhabditis elegans troponin T-1 gene.

We have investigated the functions of troponin T (CeTnT-1) in Caenorhabditis elegans embryonic body wall muscle. TnT tethers troponin I (TnI) and troponin C (TnC) to the thin filament via tropomyosin (Tm), and TnT/Tm regulates the activation and inhibition of myosin-actin interaction in response to changes in intracellular [Ca2+]. Loss of CeTnT-1 function causes aberrant muscle trembling and tearing of muscle cells from their exoskeletal attachment sites (Myers, C.D., P.-Y. Goh, T. StC. Allen, E.A. Bucher, and T. Bogaert. 1996. J. Cell Biol. 132:1061-1077). We hypothesized that muscle tearing is a consequence of excessive force generation resulting from defective tethering of Tn complex proteins. Biochemical studies suggest that such defective tethering would result in either (a) Ca2+-independent activation, due to lack of Tn complex binding and consequent lack of inhibition, or (b) delayed reestablishment of TnI/TnC binding to the thin filament after Ca2+ activation and consequent abnormal duration of force. Analyses of animals doubly mutant for CeTnT-1 and for genes required for Ca2+ signaling support that CeTnT-1 phenotypes are dependent on Ca2+ signaling, thus supporting the second model and providing new in vivo evidence that full inhibition of thin filaments in low [Ca2+] does not require TnT.

Developmental genetic analysis of troponin T mutations in striated and nonstriated muscle cells of Caenorhabditis elegans.

We have been investigating a set of genes, collectively called mups, that are essential to striated body wall muscle cell positioning in Caenorhabditis elegans. Here we report our detailed characterization of the mup-2 locus, which encodes troponin T (TnT). Mutants for a heat-sensitive allele, called mup-2(e2346ts), and for a putative null, called mup-2(up1), are defective for embryonic body wall muscle cell contraction, sarcomere organization, and cell positioning. Characterizations of the heat-sensitive allele demonstrate that mutants are also defective for regulated muscle contraction in larval and adult body wall muscle, defective for function of the nonstriated oviduct myoepithelial sheath, and defective for epidermal morphogenesis. We cloned the mup-2 locus and its corresponding cDNA. The cDNA encodes a predicted 405-amino acid protein homologous to vertebrate and invertebrate TnT and includes an invertebrate-specific COOH-terminal tail. The mup-2 mutations lie within these cDNA sequences: mup-2(up1) is a termination codon near NH2 terminus (Glu94) and mup-2(e2346ts) is a termination codon in the COOH-terminal invertebrate-specific tail (Trp342). TnT is a muscle contractile protein that, in association with the thin filament proteins tropomyosin, troponin I and troponin C, regulates myosin-actin interaction in response to a rise in intracellular Ca2+. Our findings demonstrate multiple essential functions for TnT and provide a basis to investigate the in vivo functions and protein interactions of TnT in striated and nonstriated muscles.

MUP-4 is a novel transmembrane protein with functions in epithelial cell adhesion in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Tissue functions and mechanical coupling of cells must be integrated throughout development. A striking example of this coupling is the interactions of body wall muscle and hypodermal cells in Caenorhabditis elegans. These tissues are intimately associated in development and their interactions generate structures that provide a continuous mechanical link to transmit muscle forces across the hypodermis to the cuticle. Previously, we established that mup-4 is essential in embryonic epithelial (hypodermal) morphogenesis and maintenance of muscle position. Here, we report that mup-4 encodes a novel transmembrane protein that is required for attachments between the apical epithelial surface and the cuticular matrix. Its extracellular domain includes epidermal growth factor-like repeats, a von Willebrand factor A domain, and two sea urchin enterokinase modules. Its intracellular domain is homologous to filaggrin, an intermediate filament (IF)-associated protein that regulates IF compaction and that has not previously been reported as part of a junctional complex. MUP-4 colocalizes with epithelial hemidesmosomes overlying body wall muscles, beginning at the time of embryonic cuticle maturation, as well as with other sites of mechanical coupling. These findings support that MUP-4 is a junctional protein that functions in IF tethering, cell-matrix adherence, and mechanical coupling of tissues.

A high-quality genome sequence of Rosa chinensis to elucidate ornamental traits.

Rose is the world's most important ornamental plant, with economic, cultural and symbolic value. Roses are cultivated worldwide and sold as garden roses, cut flowers and potted plants. Roses are outbred and can have various ploidy levels. Our objectives were to develop a high-quality reference genome sequence for the genus Rosa by sequencing a doubled haploid, combining long and short reads, and anchoring to a high-density genetic map, and to study the genome structure and genetic basis of major ornamental traits. We produced a doubled haploid rose line ('HapOB') from Rosa chinensis 'Old Blush' and generated a rose genome assembly anchored to seven pseudo-chromosomes (512 Mb with N50 of 3.4 Mb and 564 contigs). The length of 512 Mb represents 90.1-96.1% of the estimated haploid genome size of rose. Of the assembly, 95% is contained in only 196 contigs. The anchoring was validated using high-density diploid and tetraploid genetic maps. We delineated hallmark chromosomal features, including the pericentromeric regions, through annotation of transposable element families and positioned centromeric repeats using fluorescent in situ hybridization. The rose genome displays extensive synteny with the Fragaria vesca genome, and we delineated only two major rearrangements. Genetic diversity was analysed using resequencing data of seven diploid and one tetraploid Rosa species selected from various sections of the genus. Combining genetic and genomic approaches, we identified potential genetic regulators of key ornamental traits, including prickle density and the number of flower petals. A rose APETALA2/TOE homologue is proposed to be the major regulator of petal number in rose. This reference sequence is an important resource for studying polyploidization, meiosis and developmental processes, as we demonstrated for flower and prickle development. It will also accelerate breeding through the development of molecular markers linked to traits, the identification of the genes underlying them and the exploitation of synteny across Rosaceae.

Expression of the troponin complex genes: transcriptional coactivation during myoblast differentiation and independent control in heart and skeletal muscles.

We compared the developmental regulation of the three troponin genes that encode the proteins of the Ca2+ regulatory complex in striated muscles of the Japanese quail. Nuclear run-on transcription and RNA protection analyses showed that the fast skeletal troponin I, the fast skeletal troponin T, and the slow skeletal-cardiac troponin C genes were transcriptionally coactivated and that transcripts rapidly accumulated within 6 to 12 h after the initiation of myoblast differentiation. The fast-isoform mRNAs of troponin I and troponin T were coexpressed at similar levels in different skeletal muscles, whereas the slow-cardiac troponin C mRNA varied independently and was the only one of these genes expressed in embryonic and adult heart. We conclude that these troponin genes are transcriptionally coactivated during skeletal myoblast differentiation, indicating that their transcription is under precise temporal control. However, this troponin C gene is regulated independently is specialized striated muscles.

The mup-4 locus in Caenorhabditis elegans is essential for hypodermal integrity, organismal morphogenesis and embryonic body wall muscle position.

mup-4 is a member of a set of genes essential for correct embryonic body wall muscle cell positions in Caenorhabditis elegans. The mup-4 phenotype is variably expressed and three discrete arrest phenotypes arise during the phase of embryonic development when the worm elongates from a ball of cells to its worm shape (organismal morphogenesis). Mutants representing two of the phenotypic classes arrest without successful completion of elongation. Mutants of the third phenotypic class arrest after completion of elongation. Mutants that arrest after elongation display profound dorsal and ventral body wall muscle cell position abnormalities and a characteristic kinked body shape (the Mup phenotype) due to the muscle cell position abnormalities. Significantly, genetic mosaic analysis of mup-4 mutants demonstrates that mup-4 gene function is essential in the AB lineage, which generates most of the hypodermis (epidermis), a tissue with which muscle interacts. Consistent with the genetic mosaic data, phenotypic characterizations reveal that mutants have defects in hypodermal integrity and morphology. Our analyses support the conclusion that mup-4 is essential for hypodermal function and that this function is necessary for organismal morphogenesis and for the maintenance of body wall muscle position.

A genetic mosaic screen of essential zygotic genes in Caenorhabditis elegans.

We have devised a simple genetic mosaic screen, which circumvents the difficulties posed by phenotypic analysis of early lethal mutants, to analyze essential zygotic genes in Caenorhabditis elegans. The screen attempts to distinguish genes involved in cell type and/or lineage specific processes such as determination, differentiation or morphogenesis from genes involved in general processes such as intermediary metabolism by using the pattern of gene function to classify genes: genes required in one or a subset of early blastomeres may have specific functions, whereas genes required in all early blastomeres may have general functions. We found that 12 of 17 genes examined function in specific early blastomeres, suggesting that many zygotic genes contribute to specific early processes. We discuss the advantages and limitations of this screen, which is applicable to other regions of the C. elegans genome.

Observation of a BCS spectral function in a conventional superconductor by photoelectron spectroscopy

We present high-resolution photoelectron spectra on the A15-type conventional superconductor V 3Si, where-for the first time-both singularities of the BCS density of states can be resolved by photoemission spectroscopy (PES). With a transition temperature of about T(c) approximately 17 K the gap Delta(gap) of this compound has a magnitude of approximately 5 meV. A measurement by PES on this small energy scale requires a very high energy resolution (DeltaE less, similar5 meV) and sample temperatures significantly below T(c).

Oxygen nonstoichiometry and ionic transport properties of La0.4Sr0.6CoO3-delta .

Homogeneous samples of La0.4Sr0.6CoO3-delta were obtained by the glycine nitrate process. The oxygen nonstoichiometry was determined from oxygen exchange measurements as a function of oxygen partial pressure (10(-4) bar < PO2 < 10(-2) bar) and temperature (300 degrees C < T< 900 degrees C). The chemical diffusion coefficient D was obtained from oxygen exchange measurements applying a stepwise variation of the oxygen partial pressure of the ambient atmosphere of a disk-shaped sample. The amount of oxygen absorbed or desorbed by the perovskite was analyzed as a function of time. Chemical diffusion data were evaluated using simplified and exact fitting procedures taking into account the surface exchange coefficient. Alternatively, galvanostatic polarization measurements were performed in a PO2-range between 10(-4) and 10(-2) bar to yield D and the ionic conductivity sigma(i) from the long time solution of the diffusion equation. Values for D from polarization measurements at T= 775 degrees C and from oxygen exchange measurements at T= 725 degrees C are in good agreement with each other. D and sigma(1) increase with increasing PO2 (10(-4) to 10(-2) bar). The ionic conductivity shows a maximum at 3-delta approximately 2.82 and decreases with decreasing oxygen content indicating the possible formation of vacancy ordered structures.

Diet of eared doves (Zenaida auriculata, Aves, Columbidae) in a sugar-cane colony in South-eastern Brazil.

Farmers in the Paranapanema Valley (São Paulo, Brazil) have reported problems with flocks of Eared Doves (Zenaida auriculata) eating sprouting soybeans. In this region these birds breed colonially in sugar-cane, and eat four crop seeds, using 70% of the dry weight, in the following order of importance: maize, wheat, rice, and soybeans. Three weeds (Euphorbia heterophylla, Brachiaria plantaginea, and Commelina benghalensis) were important. This information suggests that the doves adapted particularly well to the landscape created by the agricultural practices in the region, exploiting many available foods.