Sequence Diversity of MAOA Gene within Wild and Docile Animal Species

Background: Molecular characterization of MAOA gene was performed to investigate aggressive behaviour within wild (lion, leopard, and wolf) as opposed to docile animal (sheep, goat) species living in different habitats, by undertaking sequence diversity analysis of this gene.Methods: The MAOA gene was partially amplified by PCR for wild and docile animal species. Amplified DNA was sequenced and then analyzed using BioEdit and Sequencher softwares, while multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetics analysis were conducted through MEGA software. Bioinformatics tool like Prosite scan, Motif Scan and Prot Param were used to study properties of mutant proteins of MAOA gene.Results: Different polymorphic sites were observed which included c.956, c.1063 in docile animals and c.2530 in wild animals. Phylogenetic analysis based on this candidate gene endorsed the existing taxonomy of subject animals, while bioinformatics tools explored the altered characteristics of mutant MAOA protein.   Conclusion: The newly found polymorphic loci in wild and docile animals in this study could have a role in behavioral response and acclimatization within their peculiar habitats. This study also highlights the genetic diversity of MAOA gene, which will add knowledge to the existing animal genetic resource of Pakistan.

Molecular Characterization of EGLN1 Gene in Fast and Slow Moving Animals of Diverse Terrain

Background: Process of animal migration from their habitat to a new environment is always problematic due to low adaptive tendency, which ultimately affect their production, behavior and overall performance. Current study is focused to explore the sequence diversity of EGLN1 gene in relation to animal acclimatization at higher altitude under deprived oxygen or ability of better utilization of oxygen which is considered to be liable for their agility in diverse terrains. Fast and slow moving animals of plain and hilly terrains are potential species to study this phenomenon.Methods: Molecular characterization of EGLN1 gene was performed in sheep, goat, buffalo and camels of Pakistan as slow moving candidate species, while tiger, leopard, wolf, ibex, urial and markhor as fast moving candidate species of diverse terrains by extraction their DNA from whole blood, followed by PCR amplification and sequence analysis of EGLN1 gene through BioEdit software. Later on, certain bioinformatics tools like MEGA, protparam and blast2sequence are used for the characterization of the normal and mutant EGLN1 protein.Results: Current study revealed that goat and camel showed a nucleotide change at c.810 position. While all fast moving animals of higher altitude showed a nucleotide change at position c.406 except one sample of markhor.Conclusion: Current study will assist to have an idea of sequence diversity of aforementioned candidate gene responsible for adaption of animals in oxygen deprived environment of diverse terrain and may be responsible for their agile behaviour of movement. Keywords: EGLN1, Fast moving animals, Slow moving animals, Animal acclimatization, Behavioural traits, Pakistani animal

Interplay among manures, vegetable types, and tetracycline resistance genes in rhizosphere microbiome

The rapid global emergence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is a substantial public health concern. Livestock manure serves as a key reservoir for tetracycline resistance genes (TRGs), serving as a means of their transmission to soil and vegetables upon utilization as a fertilizer, consequently posing a risk to human health. The dynamics and transfer of TRGs among microorganisms in vegetables and fauna are being investigated. However, the impact of different vegetable species on acquisition of TRGs from various manure sources remains unclear. This study investigated the rhizospheres of three vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers) grown with chicken, sheep, and pig manure to assess TRGs and bacterial community compositions via qPCR and high-throughput sequencing techniques. Our findings revealed that tomatoes exhibited the highest accumulation of TRGs, followed by cucumbers and carrots. Pig manure resulted in the highest TRG levels, compared to chicken and sheep manure, in that order. Bacterial community analyses revealed distinct effects of manure sources and the selective behavior of individual vegetable species in shaping bacterial communities, explaining 12.2% of TRG variation. Firmicutes had a positive correlation with most TRGs and the intl1 gene among the dominant phyla. Notably, both the types of vegetables and manures significantly influenced the abundance of the intl1 gene and soil properties, exhibiting strong correlations with TRGs and elucidating 30% and 17.7% of TRG variance, respectively. Our study delineated vegetables accumulating TRGs from manure-amended soils, resulting in significant risk to human health. Moreover, we elucidated the pivotal roles of bacterial communities, soil characteristics, and the intl1 gene in TRG fate and dissemination. These insights emphasize the need for integrated strategies to reduce selection pressure and disrupt TRG transmission routes, ultimately curbing the transmission of tetracycline resistance genes to vegetables

Sequence Diversity of MAOA Gene within Wild and Docile Animal Species

Background: Molecular characterization of MAOA gene was performed to investigate aggressive behaviour within wild (lion, leopard, and wolf) as opposed to docile animal (sheep, goat) species living in different habitats, by undertaking sequence diversity analysis of this gene. Methods: The MAOA gene was partially amplified by PCR for wild and docile animal species. Amplified DNA was sequenced and then analyzed using BioEdit and Sequencher softwares, while multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetics analysis were conducted through MEGA software. Bioinformatics tool like Prosite scan, Motif Scan and Prot Param were used to study properties of mutant proteins of MAOA gene. Results: Different polymorphic sites were observed which included c.956, c.1063 in docile animals and c.2530 in wild animals. Phylogenetic analysis based on this candidate gene endorsed the existing taxonomy of subject animals, while bioinformatics tools explored the altered characteristics of mutant MAOA protein. Conclusion: The newly found polymorphic loci in wild and docile animals in this study could have a role in behavioral response and acclimatization within their peculiar habitats. This study also highlights the genetic diversity of MAOA gene, which will add knowledge to the existing animal genetic resource of Pakistan

In-Vitro Efficacy of Crude Extract of Zizipus Jujuba against Selected Bacterial Strains

Abstract- The research was assessed to evaluate the efficacy of crude extract of Zizipus jujuba against selected bacterial strains. The extract of Zizipus jujuba leaves was obtained by three different methods and the inhibition zones obtained through disc diffusion method. A decent antibacterial activity of Zizipus jujuba leaves crude extract of cold water and ethanol was found against Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aereus. Maximum zone of inhibition through cold water extract was obtained by Enterococcus feacalis (32mm) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (28mm), Salmonella typhimurium (27.52), Klebsilla pneumonia (19mm) and Escherichia coli (19mm). Similarly maximum zone of inhibition through ethanol extract was obtained by Staphylococcus aureus (28mm) followed by Salmonella typhimurium (27.52). The bacterial species showed no sensitivity against hot water extract due to the degradation of alkaloids in hot water. Mean observation taken was that these bacterial species can be inhibited by Zizipus jujuba plant. The study showed that Zizipus jujuba plant can be used to obtained antibiotics having less or no side effect, especially against Salmonella and staphylococcus aureus infections. Index Terms- Efficacy, Zizipus jujuba, Antibacterial activity, Cold water extract, zone of Inhibition

An unusual neurological syndrome of crawling gait, dystonia, pyramidal signs, and limited speech.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to identify and molecularly characterize a neurological syndrome in a consanguineous Pakistani family. METHODS: Five patients, their 2 siblings, and their parents were clinically examined. DNA from all 7 siblings was genotyped with Affymetrix SNP arrays and sequencing of selected candidate genes. RESULTS: An unusual neurological syndrome of crawling gait, predominant leg dystonia, pyramidal signs, microcephaly, and suspected deafness segregated in the family. Three patients ambulated on hands and knees, either by hopping and crossing their legs, or by dragging the legs behind them. Two patients have acquired the ability to walk bipedally with a dystonic gait. Unexpectedly, no chromosomal region was homozygous in patients only. Under different disease models, we localized 7 chromosomal regions in the genome common to all patients. No pathogenic mutations were identified in selected candidate genes or the mitochondrial genome. CONCLUSION: We describe an unusual movement disorder syndrome reminiscent of but distinct from Uner Tan syndrome