Major genes and QTL influencing wool production and quality: a review

The opportunity exists to utilise our knowledge of major genes that influence the economically important traits in wool sheep. Genes with Mendelian inheritance have been identified for many important traits in wool sheep. Of particular importance are genes influencing pigmentation, wool quality and the keratin proteins, the latter of which are important for the morphology of the wool fibre. Gene mapping studies have identified some chromosomal regions associated with variation in wool quality and production traits. The challenge now is to build on this knowledge base in a cost-effective way to deliver molecular tools that facilitate enhanced genetic improvement programs for wool sheep

The estimation and utilisation of variation in fibre diameter profile characteristics between sheep

Fibre diameter profiles (FDPs) describe the fibre diameter responses of individual sheep to the environmental conditions that they experience throughout the wool growth period. The characteristics of this response pattern vary between sheep and are correlated with staple strength. The unifying hypothesis that differences between sheep in responsiveness of fibre diameter throughout the year may be able to be utilised to improve wool staple strength was accepted

Freeze protection in gasholders

In cold weather, the water seals of gasholders need protection from freezing to avoid compromising the seal. These holders have a large reservoir of "tank water" at the base which is below ground. At present freeze-protection is achieved by external heating of the seal water which is in a slotted channel called a cup. Electrical heating or circulation of heated tank water to the cup are examples of systems presently used. The tank water has a large thermal capacity and National Grid wishes to investigate whether circulation of the tank water without external heating could provide sufficient energy input to avoid freezing. Only tanks in which the tank water is below ground are investigated in the report. The soil temperature under the reservoir at depth of 10m and lower is almost constant

Evaluation of visual implant elastomer and alphanumeric internal tags as a method to identify juveniles of the freshwater crayfish, Cherax destructor

Abstract In the last few years there has been an increasing interest in using traditional animal breeding techniques to improve important traits such as growth rate in freshwater crayfish. However, a major impediment to such programs is an inability to reliably identify individuals or family groups for long periods because of the non-retention of external tags through ecdysis. Visual implant Ž . Ž . elastomer VIE and visual alphanumeric VIalpha internal tags have proven useful in identifying finfish and amphibians. We evaluated the suitability of these two internal tags as a method to Ž . identify yabby Cherax destructor juveniles. Both tags proved useful in identifying juveniles Ž between 0.1 and 4.6 g, with the VIE having the higher retention rate of the two tags up to 92%, . as opposed to 79% for the VIalpha tag . Mortality, as a direct consequence of tagging juveniles with the VIE and VIalpha tags was 13% and 11%, respectively. The ability to reliably identify C. destructor juveniles will increase the efficiency of selective breeding programs for this species by allowing individuals and family groups to be pooled in growth experiments, thereby decreasing the impact of confounding environmental effects. q 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Jerry et al.r Aquaculture 193 2001 149-154 15

Genetic Relationships Between Male and Female Reproductive Traits

The suggestion by Land (1973) that it might be possible for genes with positive effects on female reproductive performance to be identified in males, has provided the stimulus for many studies in sheep populations throughout the world. The review of literature (Chapter 1) established, however, that these studies have largely been restricted to between-breed comparisons or within sheep populations which have been selected for components of reproduction rate. The review of literature also established that, although physiological and endocrine aspects of gonadal growth and function in rams has been extensively studied, relatively little research has been directed at sources of variation in male reproductive traits with a view to estimating genetic parameters. A similar situation was found when the literature relating to ram libido and serving capacity was reviewed. The aim of the studies described in Chapters 3 and 4 of this thesis was to identify, in a large random breeding Merino flock maintained at Trangie, NSW, the sources of variation in measures of gonadal growth and serving capacity, and to estimate genetic parameters for these traits. Utilising appropriate variances from these studies and other sources, an investigation (Chapter 5) was conducted, aimed at quantifying the genetic relationship between male and female measures of reproductive performance. The study described in Chapter 6 is the result of an investigation of a related aspect of male and female genetic relationships

Interactions among genes in the ErbB-Neuregulin signalling network are associated with increased susceptibility to schizophrenia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Evidence of genetic association between the NRG1 (Neuregulin-1) gene and schizophrenia is now well-documented. Furthermore, several recent reports suggest association between schizophrenia and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ERBB4, one of the receptors for Neuregulin-1. In this study, we have extended the previously published associations by investigating the involvement of all eight genes from the ERBB and NRG families for association with schizophrenia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eight genes from the ERBB and NRG families were tested for association to schizophrenia using a collection of 396 cases and 1,342 blood bank controls ascertained from Aberdeen, UK. A total of 365 SNPs were tested. Association testing of both alleles and genotypes was carried out using the fast Fisher's Exact Test (FET). To understand better the nature of the associations, all pairs of SNPs separated by ≥ 0.5 cM with at least nominal evidence of association (<it>P </it>< 0.10) were tested for evidence of pairwise interaction by logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>42 out of 365 tested SNPs in the eight genes from the ERBB and NRG gene families were significantly associated with schizophrenia (<it>P </it>< 0.05). Associated SNPs were located in ERBB4 and NRG1, confirming earlier reports. However, novel associations were also seen in NRG2, NRG3 and EGFR. In pairwise interaction tests, clear evidence of gene-gene interaction was detected for NRG1-NRG2, NRG1-NRG3 and EGFR-NRG2, and suggestive evidence was also seen for ERBB4-NRG1, ERBB4-NRG2, ERBB4-NRG3 and ERBB4-ERBB2. Evidence of intragenic interaction was seen for SNPs in ERBB4.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These new findings suggest that observed associations between NRG1 and schizophrenia may be mediated through functional interaction not just with ERBB4, but with other members of the NRG and ERBB families. There is evidence that genetic interaction among these loci may increase susceptibility to schizophrenia.</p

Mixed methods evaluation to explore participant experiences of a pilot randomized trial to facilitate self‐management of people living with stroke: Inspiring virtual enabled resources following vascular events (iVERVE)

Introduction: Despite digital health tools being popular for supporting self‐ management of chronic diseases, little research has been undertaken on stroke. We developed and pilot tested, using a randomized controlled design, a multicomponent digital health programme, known as Inspiring Virtual Enabled Resources following Vascular Events (iVERVE), to improve self‐management after stroke. The 4‐week trial incorporated facilitated person‐centred goal setting, with those in the intervention group receiving electronic messages aligned to their goals, versus limited administrative messages for the control group. In this paper, we describe the participant experience of the various components involved with the iVERVE trial. Methods: Mixed method design: satisfaction surveys (control and intervention) and a focus group interview (purposively selected intervention participants). Experiences relating to goal setting and overall trial satisfaction were obtained from intervention and control participants, with feedback on the electronic message component from intervention participants. Inductive thematic analysis was used for interview data and open‐text responses, and closed questions were summarized descriptively. Triangulation of data allowed participants' perceptions to be explored in depth. Results: Overall, 27/54 trial participants completed the survey (13 intervention: 52%; 14 control: 48%); and 5/8 invited participants in the intervention group attended the focus group. Goal setting: The approach was considered comprehensive, with the involvement of health professionals in the process helpful in developing realistic, meaningful and person‐centred goals. Electronic messages (intervention): Messages were perceived as easy to understand (92%), and the frequency of receipt was considered appropriate (11/13 survey; 4/5 focus group). The content of messages was considered motivational (62%) and assisted participants to achieve their goals (77%). Some participants described the benefits of receiving messages as a ‘reminder’ to act. Overall trial satisfaction: Messages were acceptable for educating about stroke (77%). Having options for short message services or email to receive messages was considered important. Feedback on the length of the intervention related to specific goals, and benefits of receiving the programme earlier after stroke was expressed. Conclusion: The participant experience has indicated acceptance and utility of iVERVE. Feedback from this evaluation is invaluable to inform refinements to future Phase II and III trials, and wider research in the field. Patient or Public Contribution: Two consumer representatives sourced from the Stroke Foundation (Australia) actively contributed to the design of the iVERVE programme. In this study, participant experiences directly contributed to the further development of the iVERVE intervention and future trial design