Line Crossings Research Articles

ВЛИЯНИЕ ГОМОГЕННОГО И ГЕТЕРОГЕННОГО ПОДБОРОВ НА ПОЛУЧЕНИЕ БЫКОВ-ПРОИЗВОДИТЕЛЕЙ С УЧЕТОМ ФАКТОРОВ ВРОЖДЕННОГО ИММУНИТЕТА

The syrveys have been performed with the Holstein bull sires belonging to the Head Center for Reproduction of Farm Animals, Public Corporation (Bykovo, Moscow Region). The animals are produced with the methods for selection lines (N=8) and crosses between the lines (N=21). The study of immunological indicators, including factors of cellular and humoral immunity, was conducted. The tests were performed in the laboratory of immunology FGBNU-all-Russian research Institute of experimental veterinary medicine named after K. I. Scriabin and Ya. R. Kovalenko of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Correlations between the indicator of cellular factors of bulls- producers are studied. The result of this work revealed that in the group of bulls obtained at linear recruitment, blood lymphocytes, eosinophils were higher than in bulls, obtained by cross lines, 19.1% (P≤0.05) and by 3.76% (P≤0.05), respectively, by the factors, thereby providing the body more active protection . However, the phagocytic activity index was higher in the group of producing bulls obtained at the cross of lines by 7.7% (P≤0.05), while not reaching the standard values in both groups. In bulls obtained by heterogeneous selection, the functional activity of cellular immune factors is most stable, which is indicated by a smaller number of significant correlation coefficients (1) in this group compared to the group of bulls obtained by heterogeneous selection, in which this indicator was equal to 5: IgG / lymphocytes, neutrophils segmentonuclear/lymphocytes, neutrophils segmentonuclear/phagocytic activity, eosinophils / lymphocytes. Research results have shown that the immune system functions most evenly in breeding bulls obtained by crossing lines, which should be taken into account when obtaining breeding bulls.

Improving the energy efficiency of wide crossings of overhead power lines

The use of new generation wires in the design of wide spans of overhead power lines over water barriers and large gorges can increase their transmission capacity and increase reliability. However, when large currents flow, load losses in line also increase. Thus, it is necessary to obtain a methodology for technical and economic comparison of design options for overhead power lines over large crossings, which enables to determine the most cost-effective version of the project with high mechanical reliability. For comparative analysis, five options for wide spans of overhead power lines over the river with new-generation wires of Russian production were compiled: Aluminium Alloy Conductor Steel Reinforced, Z-type (high conductivity), Thermal-Resistant Conductor, Aluminium Compozite Core Conductor, ASk2y. Option with Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced wire was taken as the source. For the first option, the crossing scheme E-A-A-E was selected, for the remaining options E-I-I-E scheme was considered. For the modes of maximum loads, minimum temperature and average annual conditions, the mechanical calculation of wires was carried out using the method of permissible stresses. The wire bending deflections were determined in accordance with the theory of the catenary curve. The method of integrated indicators was used to perform a technical and economic comparison of these options. The calculation results showed that among the proposed options, the most optimal is a crossing with the ACCC wire having minimum relative investment per 1 MW of transmitted electricity and minimal power loss. The transmission capacity of the line with this wire is increased by 1.8 times, and the cost of crossing is reduced by 16%. Due to the compact design of wire, the probability of ice formation on wire is reduced, and the reduced bending deflection reduces the probability of wire break due to natural environmental influences.

Genetic Diversity of Korean Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Germplasm for Yield and Yield Related Traits for Adoption in Rice Farming System in Nigeria

Background and objectives Assessment of genetic diversity is a prerequisite for any crop improvement program. It helps plant breeders in identifying promising lines for possible crosses. Materials and methods: This study was carried out at AfricaRice Center, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Nigeria, and evaluated 123 accessions from South Korea with 7 genotypes form Africa. The experiment was conducted in dry season using Alpha lattice design with 26 blocks each planted in five entries, replicated two times. Results: PCA showed that the first four components accounted for 73.59% of the total variation. Thus, suggest the presence of large genetic variability, which is of important, as it gives wide spectrum of selection to the breeders. Among all genotypes UPN296, UPN248 and UPN272 showed higher number of productive tillers, while UPN255, UPN332, and UPN 285 were superior for 1000-grain weight. The genotypes such as UPN277 and UPN261 proved to be better for number of spikelets, while UPN347, UPN266, and UPIA2 were better for grain yield. Cluster analysis grouped the 130 genotypes into 4 clusters. All the 17 SSRs markers used were polymorphic. A total of 70 alleles were obtained with an average of 4.12, and ranged from 2 to 6. PIC values ranged from 0.34 to 0.76 with an average of 0.53 with 17 SSR markers. UPGMA dendrogram based on similarity index of simple matching grouped 130 genotypes into three clusters. Conclusion. UPN347, UPN277, UPN296, UPN255 and UPIA2 shown to be the most promising genotypes that could be used for rice hybridization, genetic improvement and rice hybrid programme in Nigeria.

The genetic architecture of biomechanical traits in sorghum

AbstractSorghum bicolor (L.) Moench is the fifth most commonly grown cereal crop worldwide with unrivaled drought tolerance compared with other cereal crops. Drought and heat tolerance and high biomass yield potential make sorghum a promising bioenergy crop. However, stem lodging is a significant problem that results in substantial yield losses. Stem biomechanical traits influence the mechanical stability of crops and breeding for desirable biomechanical traits may result in improved lodging resistance. In this study, we report the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for stem mechanical and morphological traits in three recombinant inbred line (RIL; populations from Tx623/Rio, Tx623/Della, and Tx631/Della) crosses between elite grain and sweet sorghum parents. The genetic architecture of stem biomechanical traits in the three RIL populations is multigenic and pleiotropic. Eight QTL affecting mechanical and morphological traits were detected; two main effects of these QTL were consistently found in all populations and colocated with previously identified dwarfing genes Dw1 and Dw3. These results indicate that dwarfing genes affect the mechanical properties of sorghum stems and their lodging resistance, while also having demonstrable effects on stem morphology. The identification of these QTL provides new opportunities for improving stem lodging resistance via genomics‐assisted breeding.

Deviatoric Stress Evolution Laws and Control in Surrounding Rock of Soft Coal and Soft Roof Roadway under Intense Mining Conditions

Aiming at the problem of large deformation and instability failure and its control of soft coal and soft roof roadway under intense mining, laboratory experiments, theoretical calculations, Flac3D numerical simulation, borehole peeping, and pressure observation were used to study the deflection characteristics of the deviatoric stress of the gas tailgate and the distribution and failure characteristics of the plastic zone in the mining face considering the strain softening characteristics of the roof and coal of roadway, and then the truss anchor cable‐control technology is proposed. The results show the following: (1) The intense mining influence on the working face will deflect the peak deviatoric stress zone (PDSZ) of the surrounding rock of the gas tailgate. The influence distance of PDSZ is about 20 m in advance and 60 m in lag; the PDSZ at the gob side of the roadway is located in the range of 3–5.5 m from the surface of the coal pillar, while the coal wall side is mainly located in the range of 3–4.5 m at the shoulder corner and bottom corner of the solid coal. (2) The intense mining in the working face caused the nonuniform expansion of the surrounding rock plastic area of the gas tailgate. The two shoulder angles of the roadway and the bottom of the coal pillar have the largest damage range, and the maximum damage location is the side angle of the coal pillar (5 m). Angle and bottom angle of coal pillar are the key points of support control. (3) The plastic failure line of the surrounding rock of the gas tailgate is always between the inner and outer contours of the PDSZ, and the rock mass in the PDSZ is in a stable and unstable transition state, so the range of anchor cable support should be cross plastic failure line. (4) The theoretical calculations and numerical simulation results agree well with the drilling peep results. Based on the deflection law of the PDSZ and the expansion characteristics of the plastic zone, a truss anchor cable supporting system with integrated locking and large‐scale support function is proposed to jointly control the roof and the two sides, which effectively solves the problem of weak surrounding rock roadway under severe mining deformation control problems realizing safety and efficient production in coal mines under intense mining.

Wallerian Degeneration of the Bilateral Middle Cerebella Peduncles Secondary to Unilateral Pontine Hemorrhage

The bilateral and symmetrical Wallerian degeneration (WD) of the middle cerebellar peduncles (MCPs) is rarely reported in pontine hemorrhage. We described a patient with WD of bilateral MCPs secondary to a strip of unilateral and transversal pontine hemorrhage. Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed hyperintensity on T2-weighted, fluid attenuation inversion recovery and diffusion weighted image, and hypointensity on T1-weighted and apparent diffusion co-efficient map, and no enhancement in bilateral MCPs. These abnormal signals existed over 6 months and subsided gradually. The patients didn’t present with new symptoms when WD happened, the initial clinical manifestations related to pontine hemorrhage persisted for more than one year. In conclusion, a single unilateral pontine stroke along “cross” or “trident” line may cause WD of the bilateral MCPs in the below slice. Although this pathological change brings no additional new symptoms, it is related to the short‑term of poor neurological prognosis after pontine stroke. In addition, since this lesion appears restricted diffusion in the imaging, we should avoid misdiagnosing it as new infarction

Improved Exploratory Behaviour and Body Weight in Mice following Chronic Diet Consumption of Mucuna flagellipes

Background and Aim: The use of Mucuna flagellipes in recent time has been on the increase as a result of its speculated therapeutic effect mostly on the protein level of the body. And owing to the fact that there are no detailed reports on Mucuna flagellipes on its effect on neurobehavioral parameters, this work is therefore intended to investigate the possible effects of this herb on the exploratory behavior and body weight in Swiss white mice. Methods: Twenty (20) mice of mixed gender were randomly divided in to two groups of ten mice each. Group 1 served as the control, while group 2 received the Mucuna flagellipes diet. The feeding lasted for 31 days. The open field maze task was used to assess exploratory behavior. All mice were allowed free access to clean drinking water. Daily food intake, water intake and body weight change were measured. Results: The results showed that the Mucuna flagellipes diet fed mice had significantly increased (p<0.01; p<0.05) line crossings, close arm duration and Stretch Attend Posture (SAP) compared to control. There was an increase in food intake and water intake (p<0.001 and p<0.01) compared to control. However, the body weight change was statistically higher but not significant when compared to the control group. Conclusion: Therefore, consumption of Mucuna flagellipes improves exploratory behavior and body weight in mice. These may be has a result of an unknown phytochemical compound present in Mucuna flagellipes.

Acute Administration of Nymphaea lotus Increases Body Weight and Exploratory Behaviour in Mice

Background and Aim: The effects on body weight and exploratory behavior following acute administration of the leaves of Nymphaea lotus were determined using mice as experimental animals. Methods: Thirty Swiss white mice were randomly divided into group A, B and C. All the mice had access to clean drinking water ad libitum. Before the neurobehavioral parameters were assessed, the LD50 and the phytochemical screening of the leaves of the plant were determined. The open field maze and the light/dark transition box apparatus were used to determine the level of exploratory behaviors in mice. Results: In the open field maze, the line crosses and rearing frequency were significantly different when compared to control (P<0.01). Stretch Attend Posture frequency (SAP) was significantly higher in the test groups when compared to control (P<0.01). It was also observed that the frequency of grooming in the light/dark transition box decreased in the treated groups when compared to the control group (P<0.05 and at P<0.01). Frequency of transition were significantly higher (P<0.01 and at P<0.001) compared to control. The body weight was significantly higher in the mice treated groups when compared to control (P<0.01). Conclusion: Thus, the leaves of Nymphaea lotus enhances exploratory behavior and increases body weight in mice.

SELECCIÓN DE LÍNEAS Y CRUZAS DE MAÍZ COMBINANDO LAS PRUEBAS DE MESTIZOS Y CRUZAS DIALÉLICAS

Obtaining competitive commercial maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids requires efficient selection strategies to improve populations and develop elite parents. The objective of this research was to select lines and crosses with high general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability for grain yield (GR) and agronomic characteristics, by combining top crosses (line × tester) and diallel crosses. In the Autumn-Winter 2010-2011 agricultural season, 144 top crosses were formed with S3 inbred lines from the ST C2 F2 subtropical population, and as a tester, the subtropical population PABGT-CE C9 F2. Top crosses were evaluated under rainfed conditions in the 2012 Spring-Summer (SS) agricultural season at Tlajomulco and Tepatitlan, Jalisco, Pena del Panal, Michoacan, and Santa Maria del Oro, Nayarit, covering a range from 1100 to 1900 m of altitude. In this test, nine top crosses were selected by GCA across locations for GY and lodging tolerance. With the remaining seed of lines of the selected top crosses diallel crosses were formed in SS 2015. Crosses were evaluated in SS 2016 in the previous locations and Iguala, Guerrero. Lines ST C2 F2-21-2-1 and ST C2 F2-29-2-1 stood out in both tests by virtue of their high GCA for GY, but the last one was eliminated because in diallel crosses its GCA and SCA for lodging were positive and significant (P ≤ 0.05). The SCA of the cross ST C2 F2-33-1-1 × ST C2 F2-49-2-1 for GY was significant (P ≤ 0.05), yet in lodging it was negative but not significant. Associating top cross and diallel cross tests allowed to select in a more rigorous way lines with high GCA and SCA for GY and agronomic characteristics; in addition, it allowed to eliminate lines before forming the synthetic and obtaining single crosses that could be used to develop hybrids with elite progenitors of the other heterotic component.

SELECCIÓN DE LÍNEAS Y CRUZAS DE MAÍZ COMBINANDO LAS PRUEBAS DE MESTIZOS Y CRUZAS DIALÉLICAS

Obtener híbridos comerciales competitivos de maíz (Zea mays L.) requiere de estrategias de selección eficientes para mejorar poblaciones y formar progenitores élite. El objetivo de esta investigación fue seleccionar líneas y cruzas de alta aptitud combinatoria general (ACG) y específica (ACE) para rendimiento de grano (RG) y características agronómicas, al combinar las pruebas de mestizos (línea × probador) y cruzas dialélicas. En el ciclo agrícola otoño-invierno 2010-2011 se formaron 144 mestizos con líneas S3 de la población subtropical ST C2 F2, y como probador la población subtropical PABGT-CE C9 F2. Los mestizos se evaluaron en secano en el ciclo agrícola primavera-verano (PV) 2012 en Tlajomulco y Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Peña del Panal, Michoacán, y Santa María del Oro, Nayarit, que cubren un intervalo de 1100 a 1900 m de altitud. En esta prueba se seleccionaron, a través de localidades, nueve mestizos por ACG para RG y tolerancia al acame. Con la semilla remanente de las líneas de mestizos seleccionados, en PV 2015 se formaron cruzas dialélicas. Las cruzas se evaluaron en PV 2016 en las localidades anteriores e Iguala, Guerrero. Las líneas ST C2 F2-21-2-1 y ST C2 F2-29-2-1 sobresalieron en ambas pruebas por su alta ACG para RG, pero la última se eliminó porque en cruzas dialélicas la ACG y ACE para acame fueron positivas y significativas (P ≤ 0.05). La ACE de la cruza ST C2 F2-33-1-1 × ST C2 F2-49-2-1 para RG fue significativa (P ≤ 0.05), y en acame negativa, pero no significativa. El asociar las pruebas de mestizos y cruzas dialélicas permitió seleccionar de una forma más rigurosa líneas con alta ACG y ACE para RG y características agronómicas, además de eliminar líneas antes de formar el sintético y obtener cruzas simples que podrían usarse para formar híbridoscon progenitores élite del otro componente heterótico.

Effect of heat acclimation on anxiety-like behavior of rats in an open field.

To mitigate the impacts of heat exposure, animals can take some actions to maintain their core body temperature, such as heat acclimation; however, the effect of heat acclimation on anxiety-like behavior in an open field is still not understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the anxiety-like behavior of heat acclimated rats in a temperate or heated open field. After being raised in a 23°C environment for one week, male Wistar rats were exposed to a heated environment (32°C) for 3h (3H), 14 days (14D), or 28 days (28D), with free access to food and water, and compared with rats reared in a temperate environment (23°C; Cont). After heat exposure, behavioral changes were monitored using an open field test (OFT) in a heated (32°C) or temperate environment (23°C). Compared with those in the Cont group, the body weights of rats in the 14D and 28D groups were lower. The OFT in the heated environment showed that grooming time was longer in 3H and 14D rats. In the temperate environment, grooming time was longer in all the heated groups. Rats from the 3H and 28D groups spent longer time in the center square when tested in the temperate environment. Rearing activity increased in 28D rats in the temperate environment, while the number of line crossings did not differ significantly between the heated groups and the two open fields. These results suggest that heat acclimation affected not only the physiological index such as core body temperature but also the anxiety-like behavior, mainly in the temperate open field. These changes might be beneficial when rats are faced with an open field.

Three consecutive nights of restricted sleep: effects of morning caffeine consumption on mood, reaction time and simulated driving performance

Introduction: Sleep is a fundamental biological requirement, essential for optimal health. Individuals unable to achieve adequate amounts of sleep may experience a range of negative behavioural and psychological consequences (e.g. increased daytime sleepiness, altered mood, reduced cognitive performance, driving impairment). Caffeinated products are often consumed as a popular countermeasure to reduce sleepiness, enhance mood, and improve cognitive functioning. However, the efficacy of caffeine to exert these effects after consecutive nights of restricted sleep is poorly understood, particularly in relation to performance on complex applied tasks (e.g. driving a motor vehicle). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three consecutive nights of restricted sleep on subjective ratings of mood, cognitive function, and simulated driving performance and assess the ability of a morning dose of caffeine to attenuate any effects associated with sleep restriction. Materials and methods: Twenty healthy habitual caffeine consumers (11 females; age: 23.3±5.7 y; BMI: 22.3±3.5 kg·m-2; caffeine intake: 204±89 mg·day-1; Mean±SD) who had normal sleeping patterns (≥8 h sleep/night) participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised study. Following one night of normal sleep (Day 0: ≥8 h time in bed (TIB)), participants underwent three consecutive nights of restricted sleep (Day 1, 2, 3: 5 h TIB). Participants received caffeine (200 mg; n=10) or placebo (n=10) capsules, together with a decaffeinated coffee and standardised breakfast each morning. All participants received caffeine (100 mg) capsules to consume in the afternoon of each trial day. On Day 0, 1 and 3, participants completed visual analog scales to measure subjective ratings of alertness, concentration and tiredness, before and 1 h after capsule administration. Cognitive function was examined 1 h after capsule administration using a computerised Choice Reaction Time (CRT) task. Response speed and accuracy were the outcome variables. Analysis of response speed was conducted using both traditional central tendency measures (comparing mean and variance) and ex-Gaussian distributional analysis. Driving performance was assessed using a 30 min simulated driving task. Lateral (standard deviation of lane position [SDLP] and total number of line crossings [LC]) and longitudinal (standard deviation of speed [SDSP]) measures of vehicular control were the outcome variables. Results: Alertness and concentration significantly decreased, and tiredness increased across the three days of sleep restriction (all p's< 0.001). Caffeine only marginally alleviated these effects. No differences were observed between treatments or across trial days for response speed and accuracy on the CRT task, irrespective of the analytical approach employed. Likewise, no significant differences were observed between groups or across trial days for lateral (SDLP, LC) and longitudinal (SDSP) measures of simulated driving performance. Conclusion: Overall, results from this study indicate that three consecutive days of sleep restriction may influence subjective ratings of alertness, concentration and tiredness, but does not appear to impact CRT or simulated driving performance. Caffeine may alleviate some of the negative subjective effects imposed by restricted sleep, but the efficacy of caffeine to attenuate performance changes in cognitive function and driving performance were unable to be observed in this study.

Research on Finite Element Simulation of Typical Down Lead of Transformer Substation

To calculate the stress status of equipment terminal exactly, this paper establishes the overall simulation models of two types of down lead structure systems, and compares them with the test result. The result shows that for cross line - down lead model and truss - down lead model, a relatively good effect has been obtained for both of them by using cable element to simulate conductor, and the error between the terminal stress simulation result and the test result is controlled within 15%, which means that the finite element simulation model of this paper is exact and reasonable.

SCOUT3D – AN UNDERWATER LASER SCANNING SYSTEM FOR MOBILE MAPPING

Abstract. This paper presents an underwater laser scanning system and GNSS based trajectory estimation system for scanning from a surface vessle in shallow water. The system has an above-the-water and an underwater component. Above-the-water two low-cost multiband GNSS receivers with an antenna baseline of one meter are used for RTK positioning with heading. The full 6-DOF is estimated by fusing the satellite navigation data with a MEMS-based INS. The 3D data is captured in water using a structured light scanner consisting of a low-light underwater camera and a green cross line laser projector. We describe the development of the system and employed hardware components. We show results of scanning a large test object in a water tank acquired by from a tripod with a motorized yaw axis. Additionally, we demonstrate first results of mobile mapping from a floating platform. We evaluate the performance of the system by measuring the 6-DOF trajectory with an external optical tracking system. Additionally, we assess the quality of the created point cloud using reference objects placed in the scene.

Identification of univalent chromosomes in monosomic lines of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) by means of cytogenetic markers

The lack of clear morphological markers of cotton chromosomes contributed to the development of an unconventional method for marking chromosomes using translocations. Today, tester translocation cotton lines represent the most complete set of cytological markers. The results of cytogenetic analysis of F1 hybrids obtained from crosses of monosomic cotton lines with translocation lines with identified chromosomes are presented. Cytogenetic identification and numbering of univalent chromosomes in 25 monosomic lines of the cytogenetic collection of the National University of Uzbekistan allowed us to establish the following univalent occurrences: chromosome 2 in four monosomic lines, chromosome 4 in 15 lines, chromosome 6 in four lines, chromosome 7 of the At-subgenome in one line and chromosome 18 of the Dt-subgenome in one line. The remaining 21 lines were duplicates of three non-homologous chromosomes. All monosomic lines identified were characterized by differences in univalent sizes, meiotic index, number of tetrads with micronuclei, pollen fertility, frequency of monosomy in the progeny, and a complex of morphological characters associated with the monosomy of the chromosome identified. Despite differences in the genotypic environment and methods for producing monosomics in the two cotton collections, there is a surprising coincidence of data suggesting a higher frequency of chromosomes 2, 4 and 6 occurring as monosomics, while the other chromosomes of the set occur as monosomics at a much lower frequency, and eight nonhomologous chromosomes (5, 8, 13 of the At-subgenome and 14, 15, 19, 22 and 24 of the Dt-subgenome of cotton) never do.

Professional-Patient Boundaries: a National Survey of Primary Care Physicians' Attitudes and Practices.

The essence of humanism in medicine and health care is relationships-caring relationships between clinicians and patients. While raising concerns regarding professional-patient boundaries has positively contributed to our understanding and prevention of potentially harmful boundary violations, there is controversy about which types of relationships, caring acts, and practices are acceptable versus cross boundary lines. To examine primary care physicians' practices and attitudes regarding acts that have been questioned as potentially "inappropriate" or "unethical" crossing of professional-patient boundaries. Surveys conducted via in-person polling or electronic and mailed paper submissions from April 2016 to July 2017. We calculated descriptive statistics and examined associations with practices and attitudes using logistic regression. Random sample of all US primary care physicians who treat adult patients; convenience sample of attendees at medicine grand rounds presentations. Outcomes were self-reported practices and attitudes related to giving patients rides home, paying for patients' medication, helping patients find jobs, employing patients, going to dinner with patients, and providing care to personal friends. Among 1563 total respondents, 34% had given a ride home, 34% had paid for medications, 15% helped patients find a job, 7% had employed a patient, 10% had dinner with patients, and 59% provided care to personal friends. A majority disapproved of dinner with a patient (75%) but approved of or were neutral on all other scenarios (61-90%). The medical profession is quite divided on questions related to drawing lines about appropriate boundaries. Contrary to official and widespread proscriptions against such practices (with exception of dinner dates), many have actually engaged in such practices and the majority found them acceptable.

Peculiarities of Inheritance of Pollen Fertility Restoration Trait in Sunflower with Cytoplasmic Male Sterility

The progenies from crosses of a sterile VIR116A line with PET1 CMS with pollen fertility restorer RIL130, VIR210, and VIR740 lines, differing in the type of cytoplasm and the presence of diagnostic molecular markers of the Rf1 gene, were studied. The pollen of F1 plants of all three cross combinations was highly fertile (89.9–98.3% of stained pollen grains, PG). Each of the F2 populations (VIR116A × RIL130, VIR116A × VIR210, and VIR116A × VIR740) segregated for the pollen fertility trait in a ratio 3 (fertile) : 1 (sterile). Among fertile F2 genotypes, “low pollen” ones were identified, in which there was less pollen than normal during a visual estimation. Their frequency was approximately 9% of the total number of plants in each of the populations, which is consistent with the results obtained previously during the analysis of other hybrid combinations. In cytological analysis, the pollen of “low pollen” plants was characterized by a decreased (as compared with highly fertile plants) frequency of fertile PG (80–100 and 11–78%, respectively) and higher content of anomalous PG (in “low pollen” plants up to 88.5%, in plants with normal level of fertility up to 18%). Using HRG01 and HRG02 molecular markers, the presence of the Rf1 dominant allele in the genotypes of fertile F2 plants (including “low pollen” ones) was confirmed, indicating their high diagnostic value. Possible genetic mechanisms of the occurrence of “low pollen” F2 segregants are discussed.

Increased Oxidative Damage Contributes to Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Muscle of Depressed Rats Induced by Chronic Mild Stress Probably Mediated by SIRT3 Pathway

Depressed individuals are at an increased risk of developing age-related physiological diseases. Moreover, although it has been shown to be closely linked to skeletal muscle disease, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. In this study, we further investigated the pathophysiology and possible mechanism in the muscle tissue of depressed rats. The model of depression was developed by chronic mild stress (CMS) for seven weeks as indicated by reduced sucrose preference and a shorter total travelled distance, fewer grid line crossings, less time in the center zone in the open field test than that of controls. In addition, depressed rats exhibited declined physiological activity characterized by reduced locomotor activity and thermogenesis. Moreover, CMS altered the levels of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT), Neuropeptide Y (NPY), and corticosterone (CORT) in serum and hippocampus. What’s more, impaired mitochondrial ultrastructure and function as shown by transmission electron microscope and reduced mitochrondrial DNA (mtDNA) integrity, ATP production, which was associated with increased cellular ROS and decreased superoxide dismutase activity in muscle tissue of CMS-induced depressed rats. Overall, our present study provides a new perspective for depressed individuals accompanied by fatigue and new ideas for future treatment of depression complications.

Parent-of-origin has no detectable effect on survival days of Marek's disease virus infected White Leghorns

Marek's Disease (MD) is a neoplastic disease of chickens and remains as a chronic infectious disease that threatens the poultry industry. Improving genetic resistance to MD in poultry is an important long-term goal, which would significantly augment the current control measures against MD and eventually reduce the annual economic loss. In this study, survival patterns of F2 birds from 2 reciprocal crosses were compared to examine possible difference in survival between the reciprocal crosses in response to MD virus (MDV) challenge. A total of 246 and 224 F2 chicks derived from reciprocal crosses of lines 63 × 72 and lines 72 × 63, respectively, were sampled from an MDV challenge trial and survival days were recorded from the MDV-inoculation date to the end of experiment. Statistical analyses, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) followed by a cox-regression model, showed there was no significant difference in survival days between reciprocal crosses (P > 0.05). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first MD survival study on reciprocal crosses of 2 genetically diversified lines of chickens differing in MD resistance. This report documented the experimental evidence that the genetic lineage of grandparental (maternal or paternal) effect on survival days was minimal, if present at all.

Proposal of a New Hybrid Breeding Method Based on Genotyping, Inter-Pollination, Phenotyping and Paternity Testing of Selected Elite F1 Hybrids.

Testing inbred lines for their combining ability is, due to high numbers of line to line testing needed for determination of hybrid performance, the most limiting factor in the F1 hybrid breeding procedure. We propose a novel method of F1 hybrid breeding that enables evaluation of large number of line to line crosses for their hybrid performance. Inbred lines (preferably doubled haploid - DH) are produced from heterozygous populations, genotyped and maintained. A group of lines is inter-pollinated randomly and their progeny examined. To identify elite F1 hybrids, these individual plants are selected by their superior phenotypic characteristics. Finally using paternity testing only of selected hybrids, the origin of paternal lines is revealed. To predict the number of F1 offspring needed in relation to the number of inbred lines being inter-pollinated, a mathematical formula was developed. For instance, using this formula for the inter-pollination of 60 distinct lines, the probability of obtaining all descendants of paternal-parent lines in a maternal-parent row represented at least once is achieved with 420 F1 plants in a row (p = 0.95). In a practical experiment with white cabbage, DH lines were produced using microspore culture; plants were grown to maturity and genotyped at eight polymorphic SSR loci. Two groups of lines (36 and 33 lines per group) were inter-pollinated by two methods, either using cage pollination with bumblebees or using open pollination in isolated field. A total of 9,858 F1 plants were planted and based on their phenotypic characteristics 213 were selected as elite phenotypes. 99 of them were genetically diverse and 5 of them were selected as super elite. Selected plants were analysed by the same SSR markers and the paternal origin of selected F1 plants was determined. Out of 213 selected elite plants 48 were reciprocals thus exhibiting power of selection based on single plant. We demonstrate that this new approach to hybrid development is efficient in white cabbage and we propose breeders to test it in various vegetable and crop species. Moreover, some other aspects of the proposed technique need to be tested and verified both for practical and economic criteria.