Identification of Runs of Homozygosity Islands and Genomic Estimated Inbreeding Values in Caqueteño Creole Cattle (Colombia).

The Caqueteño Creole (CAQ) is a native breed of cattle from the Caquetá department (Colombia), adapted to tropical conditions, which is extremely important to production systems in those regions. However, CAQ is poorly studied. In this sense, population structure studies associated with runs of homozygosity (ROH) analysis would allow for a better understanding of CAQ. Through ROH analysis, it is possible to reveal genetic relationships between individuals, measure genome inbreeding levels, and identify regions associated with traits of economic interest. Samples from a CAQ population (n = 127) were genotyped with the Bovine HD BeadChip (777,000 SNPs) and analyzed with the PLINK 1.9 program to estimate FROH and ROH islands. We highlighted a decrease in inbreeding frequency for FROH 4−8 Mb, 8−16 Mb, and >16 Mb classes, indicating inbreeding control in recent matings. We also found genomic hotspot regions on chromosomes 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 20, and 22, where chromosome 20 harbored four hotspots. Genes in those regions were associated with fertility and immunity traits, muscle development, and environmental resistance, which may be present in the CAQ breed due to natural selection. This indicates potential for production systems in tropical regions. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the CAQ production objective.

Quality of the blood pressure phenotype in the GEnotipo, Fenotipo y Ambiente de la hipertensión arterial en UruguaY (GEFA-HT-UY) study.

BACKGROUND: In the ongoing GEnotipo, Fenotipo y Ambiente de la HiperTensión Arterial en UruguaY (GEFA-HT-UY) study, we applied standardized epidemiological methods to determine complex phenotypes including blood pressure (BP). In this report, we present the quality control of the conventionally measured BP. METHODS: Three trained observers measured BP five times consecutively in the seated position at each of two home visits and one clinic visit according to the guidelines of the European Society of Hypertension. On 1 December 2013, 4379 single BP readings in 170 participants were available for analysis. RESULTS: Fewer BP readings than the five planned per contact occurred only at one home visit. Among observers, the frequency of identical consecutive readings for systolic or diastolic BP varied from 0 to 4.2%. The occurrence of odd readings ranged from 0.1 to 0.6%. Only 21.6% of the systolic and diastolic BP readings ended on zero (expected 20%). At home visits, there was a progressive decline in BP from the first to the fifth reading. The average of the five BP readings also decreased from the first to the second home visit (-5.63/-2.34 mmHg). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlighted the necessity to implement a stringent quality control of the conventionally measured BP. The procedures set up in the GEFA-HT-UY study are resulting in a well-defined BP phenotype, which is consistent with that in other population studies.

Variance and covariance components and genetic parameters for fat and protein yield of first-lactation Holstein cows using random regression models / Componentes de varianza y covarianza y parámetros genéticos para grasa y proteína láctea en vacas Holstein de primera lactancia mediante modelos de regresión aleatoria / Componentes de variância e covariância e parâmetros genéticos para gordura e proteína do leite em vacas da raça Holandesa de primeira lactação por meio de modelos de regressão aleatória

Background: the genetic parameters of the lactation curve in dairy cattle can be analyzed as longitudinal data using Random Regression Models (RRM). Objective: to estimate the (co) variance components and genetic parameters for fat (F) and protein (P) yield in first lactation Holstein cows of Antioquia (Colombia) by RRM based on Legendre polynomials. Methods: monthly F and P records (9,479) from 1,210 first-lactation Holstein cows were used. Twenty-two and 24 RRM were used for F and P, respectively, with different orthogonal Legendre-polynomial orders to estimate the fixed-curve population coefficients and predict direct-genetic additive and permanent environment effects. The models considered homogeneous and heterogeneous residual variances of 5, 7, and 10 classes. Results: the best fit for F was the fourth order model for the population fixed-curve and the additive genetic effect, and the third order for the permanent environment with seven heterogeneous variances. The best fit for P was the fifth order model for the population fixed-curve and the additive genetic and permanent environmental effects with five heterogeneous variances. The variance for the animals' genetic, phenotypic, permanent environment, and residual effects for both F and P decreased as lactation progressed. F and P heritabilities were between 0.13 and 0.38, and 0.12 and 0.32, respectively. Conclusion: first-birth animals can be selected in Antioquia for F and P characteristics. Selection should be done preferably at the beginning of lactation since they reach the highest heritability values at this time.

Antecedentes: los parámetros genéticos de la curva de lactancia en ganado de leche pueden ser analizados como datos longitudinales usando Modelos de Regresión Aleatoria (RRM). Objetivo: estimar mediante RRM basados en polinomios de Legendre componentes de (co) varianza y parámetros genéticos para producción de grasa (F) y proteína (P) láctea en vacas Holstein de primera lactancia de Antioquia (Colombia). Métodos: se incluyeron 9.479 registros mensuales de F y P pertenecientes a 1.210 vacas Holstein de primera lactancia. Para F y P se usaron 22 y 24 RRM respectivamente, con diferentes órdenes de polinomio ortogonal de Legendre para estimar los coeficientes de la curva fija de la población, la predicción de los efectos genético aditivo directo y del ambiente permanente. Los modelos consideraron varianzas residuales homogéneas y heterogéneas de 5, 7 y 10 clases. Resultados: para F, el mejor modelo fue el de cuarto orden para la curva fija de la población y el efecto genético aditivo, y de tercer orden para el ambiente permanente con siete varianzas heterogéneas. Para P, el modelo que presentó mejor ajuste fue el de quinto orden para la curva fija de la población, el efecto genético aditivo y el ambiente permanente y 5 varianzas heterogéneas. Para ambas características las varianzas genética aditiva directa, fenotípica, de ambiente permanente y residual disminuyeron a medida que avanzaba la lactancia. Las heredabilidades para F y P estuvieron entre 0,13 y 0,38, y entre 0,12 y 0,32, respectivamente. Conclusión: es posible realizar la selección para F y P en animales de primer parto en el departamento de Antioquia, preferiblemente al inicio de la lactancia, ya que ambas características presentan heredabilidades altas en esta etapa.

Antecedentes: os parâmetros genéticos da produção de leite podem ser estimados usando Modelos de Regressão Aleatória (RRM). Objetivo: estimar por RRM com base em polinômios de Legendre os componentes de variância e covariância e os parâmetros genéticos para produção de gordura (F) e proteína (P) em vacas leiteiras de primeira lactação da raça holandesa em rebanhos de Antioquia, Colômbia. Métodos: foram avaliadas 9.479 registros mensais de F e P pertencentes a 1.210 vacas. Para F e P foram usados 22 e 24 RRM, respectivamente, com diferentes ordens de polinomiais ortogonais de Legendre para estimar os coeficientes da curva fixa da população, os efeitos genéticos aditivo direito, do ambiente permanente e residual. Os modelos consideraram variâncias residuais homogêneas e heterogêneas de 5, 7 e 10 classes. Resultados: para F, o melhor modelo foi o de quarta ordem para a curva fixa da população e o efeito genético aditivo, e de terceira ordem para o ambiente permanente com sete variâncias heterogêneas. Para P, o modelo que forneceu o melhor ajuste foi do quinto ordem para a curva fixa da população, o efeito genético aditivo e de ambiente permanente, e com 5 variâncias heterogêneas. Para ambas as características as variâncias genética aditiva direita, fenotípica e residual diminuíram no tempo. As herdabilidades para F e P ficaram entre 0,13 e 0,38 e entre 0,12 e 0,32, respectivamente. Conclusão: é possível fazer a seleção de animais da raça holandesa para F e P, de preferência no início da lactação, pois as duas características têm altas herdabilidades.

Morbimortalidad materno-perinatal en pacientes con infección por VIH, Hospital Simón Bolívar, 2003-2011, Bogotá (Colombia) / Maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in patients with HIV infection at Hospital Simón Bolívar, 2003-2011, Bogotá (Colombia)

Objetivo: describir la morbilidad y mortalidad materna y perinatal asociadas a la infección por VIH en el Hospital Simón Bolívar entre el año 2003 y el 2011. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo de cohorte histórica. Se incluyeron pacientes gestantes con diagnóstico confirmado de infección por VIH que asistieron al control prenatal y a quienes se les atendió el parto y el puerperio entre enero de 2003 y diciembre de 2011, en el Hospital Simón Bolívar, institución de tercer nivel de complejidad, centro de referencia para pacientes con VIH, ubicado en el noroccidente de Bogotá. Se realizó muestreo consecutivo y se evaluaron las características sociodemográficas y clínicas basales, y la morbilidad materna durante la gestación, al momento del parto o el puerperio, como también la morbilidad perinatal. Se realizó análisis descriptivo de la morbilidad por medio de proporciones y análisis exploratorio de la asociación entre el recuento de linfocitos CD4 y la carga viral con los resultados maternos y perinatales. Resultados: un total de 136 pacientes tenían diagnóstico de VIH confirmado en la institución, de estas se obtuvo información completa en 106 (78 %). No hubo ningún caso de muerte materna y se presentaron 2 casos de muerte fetal in utero. Las principales comorbilidades maternas encontradas fueron anemia (18 %), ETS (22,6 %), neumonía (5,7 %) y fiebre puerperal (4,7 %). Las comorbilidades perinatales más frecuentes fueron bajo peso al nacer (21,7 %) y convulsiones (2,8 %). No se encontró asociación entre la carga viral y el recuento CD4 con la morbilidad materna o perinatal. Conclusión: la paciente gestante con infección por VIH presenta en general un ligero aumento de las complicaciones maternas y perinatales. Es importante realizar nuevos estudios en los diferentes grupos poblacionales para poder valorar adecuadamente todas estas asociaciones.

Objective: To describe maternal and perinatal HIV-associated morbidity and mortality at Simón Bolívar Hospital between 2003 and 2011. Materials and methods: A descriptive historical cohort study. The study included pregnant women with a confirmed diagnosis of HIV infection attending prenatal control visits and receiving care during delivery and the postpartum period, between January 2003 and December 2011 at the Simon Bolívar Hospital, a general, level-III referral centre for HIV patients, located in northwest Bogota. Sampling was done consecutively and the assessment included baseline social, demographic and clinical characteristics; maternal mortality during pregnancy, at the time of delivery and during the postpartum period; and perinatal mortality. A descriptive morbidity analysis was conducted using proportions, together with an exploratory analysis of the association between the CD4 lymphocyte count and viral load, and maternal and perinatal outcomes. Results: Overall, 136 patients had a confirmed diagnosis of HIV at the institution, and complete information was obtained for 106 (78%) of them. There were no cases of maternal deaths and 2 foetal deaths in utero. The main maternal comorbidities found were anaemia (18%), STDs (22.6%), pneumonia (5.7%) and postpartum fever (4.7%). The most frequent perinatal comorbidities were low birth weight (21.7%), and seizures (2.8%). No association was found between viral load and CD4 count and maternal or perinatal morbidity. Conclusion: Pregnant women with HIV infection generally present a slight increase in maternal and perinatal complications. It is important to undertake additional studies in different population groups in order to arrive at an appropriate evaluation of all these associations.