Genetic variation of flesh colour in canthaxanthin fed rainbow trout

Genetic experiments were conducted using either random independent full-sib families (9 and 11 respectively) or sire-half-sib families (18) of rainbow trout who were fed an experimental diet supplemented with canthaxanthin. The resulting orange-red colour of the flesh from each fish was analyzed through spectrophotometry and expressed in standard terms of luminosity (Y), dominant wavelength (λd) and excitation purity (Pe). The following results were obtained : - There is a substantial genetic variability among families in each colorimetric parameter. Estimated values of heritability from full-sib and from half-sib families do not differ significantly. - Positive correlation between λd . and Pe, and negative correlations between Y and λd and between Y and Pe, are consistent with the pattern of canthaxanthin deposition in the flesh. Genetic correlations do not differ significantly from phenotypic ones. - Pigmentation intensity is correlated to fish weight. This relationship, however, accounts for but a minor part of colour variation among market-size fishes.Des expériences génétiques ont été réalisées chez la Truite arc-en-ciel sur des familles aléatoires et indépendantes de pleins-frères (au nombre de 9 et 11) ou demi-frères de pères (18), alimentées par un régime expérimental supplémenté en canthaxanthine. La couleur de chair orange-rouge obtenue chez chaque poisson a été analysée par spectrophotométrie et exprimée en termes standards de luminosité (Y), longueur d’onde dominante (λd) et pureté d’excitation (Pe). Les résultats obtenus sont les suivants : - Il y a une variabilité génétique notable entre familles pour chaque paramètre colorimétrique. Les valeurs d’héritabilité estimées à partir des familles de plein-frères et de demi-frères ne diffèrent pas significativement. - Les corrélations, positives entre λd et Pe et négatives entre Y et λd et entre Y et Pe, sont conformes au mode d’action de la canthaxanthine se déposant dans la chair. Les corrélations génétiques ne diffèrent pas significativement de leurs homologues phénotypiques. - L’intensité de la pigmentation est corrélée avec le poids des poissons. Cette relation toutefois n’explique qu’une part minime de la variation de couleur chez des animaux de taille marchande

Quantitative genetics of growth traits in the edible snail, Helix aspersa Müller

Genetic parameters of adult weight, age at maturity (adult age), weight after hibernation and relative loss of weight during hibernation were estimated in a population of edible snails (Helix aspersa Müller). Eight thousand four hundred and eighthy three animals were sampled from 143 pairs for adult weight, 4 333 from 87 pairs for adult age and 2 256 from 123 pairs for traits after hibernation. An animal model taking into account all the relationships was used to estimate genetic parameters. Estimates were also computed from the covariances between full-sibs and parent offspring regressions to assess possible non-additive genetic effects. Heritabilities were high except for relative loss of weight during hibernation. Estimates from the animal model were 0.48 ± 0.04 for adult weight, 0.40 ± 0.05 for adult age, 0.40 ± 0.05 for weight after hibernation and 0.12 ± 0.03 for relative loss of weight during hibernation. Adult weight and adult age were neither phenotypically nor genetically correlated (0.05 and 0.003 ± 0.07, respectively). A substantial maternal effect, especially on adult weight was found.Les paramètres génétiques de plusieurs caractères de croissance ont été estimés dans une population d’escargots Petit-Gris (Helix aspersa Müller). Il s’agit du poids adulte, de l’âge à maturité (âge adulte), du poids après hibernation et de la perte relative de poids lors de l’hibernation. Le nombre d’observations collectées se répartit ainsi : 8 483 animaux issus de 143 couples pour le poids adulte, 4 333 issus de 87 couples pour l’âge adulte et 2 256 issus de 123 couples pour les caractères mesurés après hibernation. Afin de tenir compte de toutes les relations de parenté, nous avons utilisé un modèle animal pour estimer les paramètres génétiques. Ils ont également été estimés à partir des covariances entre plein-frères et de la régression parents-descendants. Cela nous a permis de discuter des effets génétiques non additifs. Tous les caractères sauf la perte de poids relative lors de l’hibernation révèlent des héritabilités élevées. Les estimations issues du modèle animal sont de 0,48 ± 0,04 pour le poids adulte, 0,40 ± 0,05 pour l’âge adulte, 0,40 ± 0,05 pour le poids après hibernation et 0, 12 ± 0 03 pour la perte relative de poids lors de l’hibernation. Il n’y a pas de corrélation (ni phénotypique, ni génétique) significative entre le poids et l’âge adultes (0,05 et 0,003 ± 0,07, respectivement). Nous avons également mis en évidence un effet maternel important, en particulier sur le poids adulte

Variabilité génétique de la performance de nage chez l'alevin de Truite fario (Salmo trutta)

International audienc

Variabilité génétique de la ponctuation noire sur la truitelle Fario (Salmo trutta L.)

International audienc

Déterminisme génétique du nombre de cæca pyloriques chez la Truite fario (Salmo Trutta, Linné) et la Truite arc-en-ciel (Salmo Gairdneri, Richardson) III. — Effet du génotype et de la taille des æufs sur la réalisation du caractère chez la Truite fario

International audienceAn analysis of the variation of the number of pyloric caeca in hatchery-reared brown trout showed that :- the sex of the animals has no significant influence;- an important part of variability is caused by additive genetic factors (approximate heritability 0.4);[br/]- there is a maternal effect which inheres to the size of eggs; alevins hatched from large eggs tend to have high numbers of caeca (correlation + 0,5)- lastly, the joined action of that maternal factor and other genetic and environmental factors apparently includes interactive effects; further studies on that point would be useful.L'analyse de la variation du nombre de caeca pyloriques chez la Truite fario élevée en pisciculture a montré que :- le sexe des animaux n'a aucune influence significative;- une part importante de variabilité est d'origine génétique additive (héritabilité approximative 0,4);- il existe un effet maternel inhérent à la taille des oeufs, les alevins issus de gros aeufs tendant à avoir des nombres de caeca élevés (corrélation +0,5);- enfin, l'action conjointe de ce facteur maternel et des autres facteurs génétiques et environnementaux semble comporter des effets interactifs dont l'étude plus approfondie serait utile

A patient on RIPE therapy presenting with recurrent isoniazid-associated pleural effusions: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The clinical scenario of a new or worsening pleural effusion following the initiation of antituberculous therapy has been classically referred to as a 'paradoxical' pleural response, presumably explained by an immunological rebound phenomenon. Emerging evidence suggests that there also may be a role for a lupus-related reaction in the pathophysiology of this disorder.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>An 84-year-old Asian man treated with isoniazid, along with rifampin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol for suspected extrapulmonary tuberculosis, presented with a recurrent pleural effusion, his third episode since the initiation of this therapy. The first effusion occurred one month after the start of treatment, without any prior evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis involvement. Follow-up testing, including thoracoscopic pleural biopsies, never confirmed tuberculosis infection. Further evaluation yielded serological evidence suggesting drug-induced lupus. No effusions recurred following the discontinuation of isoniazid, although other antituberculosis medications were continued.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The immunological rebound construct is inconsistent with the evolution of this case, which indicates rather that drug-induced lupus may explain at least some cases of new pleural effusions following the initiation of isoniazid.</p

Identification of the protein kinases Pyk3 and Phg2 as regulators of the STATc-mediated response to hyperosmolarity

Cellular adaptation to changes in environmental osmolarity is crucial for cell survival. In Dictyostelium, STATc is a key regulator of the transcriptional response to hyperosmotic stress. Its phosphorylation and consequent activation is controlled by two signaling branches, one cGMP- and the other Ca(2+)-dependent, of which many signaling components have yet to be identified. The STATc stress signalling pathway feeds back on itself by upregulating the expression of STATc and STATc-regulated genes. Based on microarray studies we chose two tyrosine-kinase like proteins, Pyk3 and Phg2, as possible modulators of STATc phosphorylation and generated single and double knock-out mutants to them. Transcriptional regulation of STATc and STATc dependent genes was disturbed in pyk3(-), phg2(-), and pyk3(-)/phg2(-) cells. The absence of Pyk3 and/or Phg2 resulted in diminished or completely abolished increased transcription of STATc dependent genes in response to sorbitol, 8-Br-cGMP and the Ca(2+) liberator BHQ. Also, phospho-STATc levels were significantly reduced in pyk3(-) and phg2(-) cells and even further decreased in pyk3(-)/phg2(-) cells. The reduced phosphorylation was mirrored by a significant delay in nuclear translocation of GFP-STATc. The protein tyrosine phosphatase 3 (PTP3), which dephosphorylates and inhibits STATc, is inhibited by stress-induced phosphorylation on S448 and S747. Use of phosphoserine specific antibodies showed that Phg2 but not Pyk3 is involved in the phosphorylation of PTP3 on S747. In pull-down assays Phg2 and PTP3 interact directly, suggesting that Phg2 phosphorylates PTP3 on S747 in vivo. Phosphorylation of S448 was unchanged in phg2(-) cells. We show that Phg2 and an, as yet unknown, S448 protein kinase are responsible for PTP3 phosphorylation and hence its inhibition, and that Pyk3 is involved in the regulation of STATc by either directly or indirectly activating it. Our results add further complexities to the regulation of STATc, which presumably ensure its optimal activation in response to different environmental cues

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Engage Complement and Complement Receptor Bearing Innate Effector Cells to Modulate Immune Responses

Infusion of human third-party mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) appears to be a promising therapy for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD). To date, little is known about how MSCs interact with the body's innate immune system after clinical infusion. This study shows, that exposure of MSCs to blood type ABO-matched human blood activates the complement system, which triggers complement-mediated lymphoid and myeloid effector cell activation in blood. We found deposition of complement component C3-derived fragments iC3b and C3dg on MSCs and fluid-phase generation of the chemotactic anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a. MSCs bound low amounts of immunoglobulins and lacked expression of complement regulatory proteins MCP (CD46) and DAF (CD55), but were protected from complement lysis via expression of protectin (CD59). Cell-surface-opsonization and anaphylatoxin-formation triggered complement receptor 3 (CD11b/CD18)-mediated effector cell activation in blood. The complement-activating properties of individual MSCs were furthermore correlated with their potency to inhibit PBMC-proliferation in vitro, and both effector cell activation and the immunosuppressive effect could be blocked either by using complement inhibitor Compstatin or by depletion of CD14/CD11b-high myeloid effector cells from mixed lymphocyte reactions. Our study demonstrates for the first time a major role of the complement system in governing the immunomodulatory activity of MSCs and elucidates how complement activation mediates the interaction with other immune cells