Population structure and genetic history of Tibetan Terriers

International audienceAbstractBackgroundTibetan Terrier is a popular medium-sized companion dog breed. According to the history of the breed, the western population of Tibetan Terriers includes two lineages, Lamleh and Luneville. These two lineages derive from a small number of founder animals from the native Tibetan Terrier population, which were brought to Europe in the 1920s. For almost a century, the western population of Tibetan Terriers and the native population in Tibet were reproductively isolated. In this study, we analysed the structure of the western population of Tibetan Terriers, the original native population from Tibet and of different crosses between these two populations. We also examined the genetic relationships of Tibetan Terriers with other dog breeds, especially terriers and some Asian breeds, and the within-breed structure of both Tibetan Terrier populations.ResultsOur analyses were based on high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array (Illumina HD Canine 170 K) and microsatellite (18 loci) genotypes of 64 Tibetan Terriers belonging to different populations and lineages. For the comparative analysis, we used 348 publicly available SNP array genotypes of dogs from other breeds. We found that the western population of Tibetan Terriers and the native Tibetan Terriers clustered together with other Asian dog breeds, whereas all other terrier breeds were grouped into a separate group. We were also able to differentiate the western Tibetan Terrier lineages (Lamleh and Luneville) from the native Tibetan Terrier population.ConclusionsOur results reveal the relationships between the western and native populations of Tibetan Terriers and support the hypothesis that Tibetan Terrier belongs to the group of ancient dog breeds of Asian origin, which are close to the ancestors of the modern dog that were involved in the early domestication process. Thus, we were able to reject the initial hypothesis that Tibetan Terriers belong to the group of terrier breeds. The existence of this native population of Tibetan Terriers at its original location represents an exceptional and valuable genetic resource

Antimicrobial activities of some mushrooms in Turkey

Context: Terfezia boudieri Chatin (Pezizaceae), Agaricus brunnescens Peck (Agaricaceae) and Lactarius vellereus (Fr.) Fr. (Russulaceae) are well-known species in Turkey, and are used both for food and traditional medicine. Objective: The powdered fruit bodies of T. boudieri, A. brunnescens and L. vellereus were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activities. Materials and methods: Chloroform, acetone and methanol extracts of T. boudieri, A. brunnescens and L. vellereus were tested for their antimicrobial activities against four Gram-positive bacteria, five Gram-negative bacteria and yeast using a micro-dilution method. Results: The strongest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value observed against the test microorganisms was with the chloroform extract of T. boudieri (MIC 2.4 mu g/mL) against Streptococcus pyogenes. Maximum antimicrobial effects were observed with the acetone extracts of T. boudieri and L. vellereus (MIC 4.8 mu g/mL) against Bacillus subtilis. The strongest antifungal activity was observed with the acetone extracts of T. boudieri (MIC 2.4 mu g/mL) and A. brunnescens (MIC 19.5 mu g/mL) against Candida albicans. The strongest MIC values for all fungal extracts were observed between 78 and 2.4 mu g/mL. Discussion and conclusion: Present results demonstrated that these three mushroom species have excellent antimicrobial and antifungal activities, and thus have great potential as a source for natural health products.Foundation for Selcuk University, Scientific Research Projects Coordinating OfficeSelcuk University [SU-BAP-08201036, 10701001]; TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [TBAG-109T584]The authors are indebted to the Foundation for Selcuk University, Scientific Research Projects Coordinating Office (SU-BAP-08201036 and 10701001) and TUBITAK (TBAG-109T584) for their financial support of this work

Biological activity and fatty acid composition of Caesar's mushroom

Context: Due to its pleasant aroma and flavor, Amanita caesarea (Scop.) Pers. (Amanitaceae) has been a famous macrofungus since ancient times. This species is also well known in Turkey where people consume it extensively. Objective: Evaluation of the medicinal importance of A. caesarea for human health. Materials and methods: Antioxidant capacity of A. caesarea was studied using the methods of a scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals, beta-carotene-linoleic acid assay, reducing power and estimation of phenolics. Chloroform, acetone and methanol extracts of A. caesarea were tested for their antimicrobial activity against four Gram-positive bacteria, five Gram-negative bacteria and one yeast by applying a micro dilution method. The fatty acids were estimated via the method of gas chromatography analysis. Results: The scavenging effect of A. caesarea on DPPH radicals was measured as 40.91% at 0.5 mg/mL concentration, and its reducing power was 0.451 mg/mL at 1.2 mg/mL concentration. The phenolics found were catechin (32.5 mg/g), ferulic acid (7 mg/g), p-coumaric acid (6 mg/g) and cinnamic acid (6.2 mg/g). The highest minimum inhibitory concentration observed against the test microorganisms were with the acetone extract (4.8 mg/mL concentration) against Candida albicans. Thirty-seven different fatty acids were determined from A. caesarea, and oleic acid (58%) was the dominant component. Discussion and conclusion: Amanita caesarea had a high-antioxidant and -antimicrobial activity, and it also had important essential fatty acids required for human health. According to the results, this mushroom can be recommended as a major source of natural food.Foundation TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [TBAG/109T584]; Scientific Research Projects (BAP) Coordinating Office at Selcuk UniversitySelcuk University [BAP/09201151]The authors are indebted to the Foundation TUBITAK (TBAG/109T584) and the Scientific Research Projects (BAP) Coordinating Office (BAP/09201151) at Selcuk University for their financial support of the current work