Analysis of the Environmental Factors Affecting the Growth Traits of Iran-Black Sheep

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of non-genetic factors on the growth behavior of Iran-Black sheep. The data of growth performances, birth weight (BW), weaning weight (W3), weight at 6, 9and 12 months of age (W6, W9 and W12, respectively), were taken from 1522 lambs belonging to data bank from Abbas Abad Sheep Breeding Station located at the North-east of Iran during a period of five years. Statistical analyses were performed using a general linear model including non-genetic factors: lamb sex, birth year and litter size as main effects, the lamb's age when weighed as covariate, and the interactions between these factors. Results showed that all traits were significantly (

Surgical Management of Vesical Stones in Children: A Comparison Between Open cystolithotomy, Percutaneous Cystolithotomy and Transurethral Cystolithotripsy with Holmium-YAG Laser

Introduction: Bladder stone in children is rare but is more common in developing countries. In recent years, the urologists have trend to minimal invasive approaches. The aim of this study, was to compare the outcomes of surgical bladder stone management in our single tertiary center.Methods and materials: The 159 children younger than 18 years with vesical stones treated during January 2000 to January 2015 in Shohada e Tajrish hospital, Tehran, Iran that 146 subjects entered to the study. According to type of intervention, patients stratified to three groups. First group was included 80 patient’s that open cystolithotomy(OCL) was done for them, second group, 39 patients who underwent percutaneous cystolithotomy(PCCL)and third group,27 patients who treated by transurethral cystolithotripsy with holmium-YAG laser(TULL). Demographic data, operation time, hospital stay, and post operation complications were extracted and compared between groups.Results: Mean age was 8.3±5.1 years (8.6±5.1, 6±4.2 years for boys and girls, respectively). Mean stone size was 2.76±1.07 cm that was not significant between three groups but it was larger in OCL group. Mean operative time was 29.15(±7.12) min that in separate, mean operative time in TULL was significantly higher than PCCL and OCL respectively (36.3±5.97, 30.54±5.27 and 26.06±6.32 min/P:0.000). Mean hospital stay in OCL group was 3.55±1 day that was higher than PCCL and TULL groups significantly (P=0.000).Conclusion: based on our study, Ho:YAG lithotripsy is a safe with high success rate minimally invasive management method for children bladder calculi if proper equipment was available and done in expert hands

Is Holmium Laser an Appropriate Modality to Treat Genital Warts?

Introduction: Genital warts in young adults aged 18-28 years are very common. Several approaches are routinely used in the treatment of warts, viz., medical treatment (podophyllin and trichloroacetic acid), conventional surgery (excision or electrocautery), cryotherapy, and laser treatment. Because of high recurrence rates after treatment, complications and long duration of treatment, newer modalities have been developed. One of these newer methods is laser, which has been used in several urologic diseases. However, there are only a few studies about use of Holmium laser for treatment of genital warts. This retrospective study compared the success rate of Holmium laser with other available treatments for genital warts.Methods: Between October 2011 and May 2016, 142 patients with genital warts attended the urology clinics at Shohada-e-Tajrish hospital in Tehran, Iran. Out of these, a total of 101 patients were included in this study consisting of 42, 39, 11 and 9 patients treated with cryotherapy, laser, conventional surgery and podophyllin respectively.Results: The most successfully cleared lesions were seen in the holmium laser treatment group (P = 0.001). The lowest recurrence rate was observed in the holmium laser treatment group (P = 0.001). 17 patients had one of these following problems: dysuria, initial hematuria or a change in the force and caliber of their urinary stream that after physical examination showed them to have a meatal wart. These patients then underwent cystoscopy up to urinary sphincter. All of them in addition to the meatus wart had a penile shaft lesion(s). Thirteen patients had meatal lesions, 9 of whom received holmium laser therapy and 4 patients were treated with electrocautery. Based on routine follow up after treatment, none of the patients treated with holmium laser had urinary stricture, but one case treated with electrocautery returned with a penile urethral stricture.Conclusion: This study showed that treatment with Holmium laser has the highest clearance rate (92.2%) and lowest recurrence rate (14.3%) compared to other available treatments in this study. It may be concluded that holmium laser is a safe and effective treatment for genital warts with a low rate of recurrence

Anthropogenic and natural fragmentations shape the spatial distribution and genetic diversity of roe deer in the marginal area of its geographic range

Habitat destruction and fragmentation are major factors in the destruction of genetic diversity and affect the movement behavior of the Roe deer population in the remaining habitats. Here, we study the population and landscape genetics of Capreolus capreolus (roe deer) in northern and northwestern Iran using twelve polymorphism microsatellite markers. From 111 total specimens, 63 had successful extraction (6 feces, 35 tissues, 9 bones, and 13 antlers). We considered 30 microsatellite polymorphic loci, of which only 12 were amplified for our further analysis. For genetic diversity analysis, the Weir-Cockerham method was applied to measure the inbreeding coefficient (FIS) and fixation index (FST) for each locus as well as for each population. For landscape genetics, the susceptibility patterns of genetic variations were assessed using three hypotheses including isolation by distance (IBD), isolation by environment (IBE), isolation by resistance (IBR), and individual landscape genetic analysis. A habitat suitability map as an indicator of landscape resistance was constructed from several species distribution models (SDMs) algorithms including Generalized Boosting Models (GBM), Maximum Entropy (Maxent), Random Forest (RF), Generalized Linear Model (GLM), Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) and artificial neural networks (ANN) and an ensemble model. Our estimated FIs index showed that the Golestan, Arasbaran, and Guilan populations had the highest and lowest genetic diversity among roe deer populations. According to the Fst criterion, our results showed that Golestan and East Azarbaijan (Arasbaran) had the highest and Mazandaran had the lowest genetic distance patterns. Our results do not suggest that there is high genetic differentiation for roe deer in the region, with high levels of gene flow between study areas. We found that geographic distance has no significant relationship with genetic distance and that there is no significant relationship between the ecological niche non-similarity matrix and the genetic distance matrix. The most influential factors affecting gene flow in roe deer were aspect and elevation variables. The analysis suggests that the landscape has no significant influence on the structuring of the studied population and shows little genetic differentiation

Microsatellite-based evidences of genetic bottlenecks in the cryptic species “Andrographis paniculata Nees”: a potential anticancer agent

Andrographis paniculata (AP) is a medicinal plant species introduced into Malaysia. To address the genetic structure and evolutionary connectedness of the Malaysian AP with the Indian AP, a DNA sequence analysis was conducted based on 24 microsatellite markers. Out of the 24 primer sets, seven novel microsatellite primers were designed and amplified intra-specifically according to the available Indian AP sequences at the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), where 17 of them were amplified using the cross-species strategy by employing the primers belonging to Acanthus ilicifolius Linn (Acanthaceae) and Lumnitzera racemosa Wild (Combretaceae). The primers were then applied on the Malaysian AP accessions. Sixteen of the new microsatellite loci were amplified successfully. Analysis of these microsatellite sequences, revealed some significant differences between the Indian and Malaysian AP accessions in terms of the size and type of the repeat motifs. These findings depicted the cryptic feature of this species. Despite identifying several heterozygous alleles no polymorphism was observed in the detected loci of the selected accessions. This situation was in concordance with the presence of “fixed heterozygosity” phenomenon in the mentioned loci. Accordingly, this was fully consistent with the occurrence of the genetic bottleneck and founder effect within Malaysian AP population. Apart from the amplification of new microsatellites in this species, our observations could be in agreement with the risk of genetic depletion and consequently extinction of this precious herb in Malaysia. This issue should be taken into consideration in the future studies

Construction of a circRNA– lincRNA–lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA ceRNA regulatory network identifies genes and pathways linked to goat fertility

Background: There is growing interest in the genetic improvement of fertility traits in female goats. With high-throughput genotyping, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a powerful tool for measuring gene expression profiles. The primary objective was to investigate comparative transcriptome profiling of granulosa cells (GCs) of high- and low-fertility goats, using scRNA-seq.Methods: Thirty samples from Ji’ning Gray goats (n = 15 for high fertility and n = 15 for low fertility) were retrieved from publicly available scRNA-seq data. Functional enrichment analysis and a literature mining approach were applied to explore modules and hub genes related to fertility. Then, interactions between types of RNAs identified were predicted, and the ceRNA regulatory network was constructed by integrating these interactions with other gene regulatory networks (GRNs).Results and discussion: Comparative transcriptomics-related analyses identified 150 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between high- and low-fertility groups, based on the fold change (≥5 and ≤−5) and false discovery rate (FDR <0.05). Among these genes, 80 were upregulated and 70 were downregulated. In addition, 81 mRNAs, 58 circRNAs, 8 lincRNAs, 19 lncRNAs, and 55 miRNAs were identified by literature mining. Furthermore, we identified 18 hub genes (SMAD1, SMAD2, SMAD3, SMAD4, TIMP1, ERBB2, BMP15, TGFB1, MAPK3, CTNNB1, BMPR2, AMHR2, TGFBR2, BMP4, ESR1, BMPR1B, AR, and TGFB2) involved in goat fertility. Identified biological networks and modules were mainly associated with ovary signature pathways. In addition, KEGG enrichment analysis identified regulating pluripotency of stem cells, cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, ovarian steroidogenesis, oocyte meiosis, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, parathyroid and growth hormone synthesis, cortisol synthesis and secretion, and signaling pathways for prolactin, TGF-beta, Hippo, MAPK, PI3K-Akt, and FoxO. Functional annotation of identified DEGs implicated important biological pathways. These findings provided insights into the genetic basis of fertility in female goats and are an impetus to elucidate molecular ceRNA regulatory networks and functions of DEGs underlying ovarian follicular development

Clinical Breast Cancer Registry of IR. Iran (CBCR-IR):Study Protocol and First Results

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC), as a significant global health problem, is the most common cancer in women. Despite the importance of clinical cancer registries in improving the quality of cancer care and cancer research, there are few reports on them from low- and middle-income countries. We established a multicenter clinical breast cancer registry in Iran (CBCR-IR) to collect data on BC cases, the pattern of care, and the quality-of-care indicators in different hospitals across the country.METHODS: We established a clinical cancer registry in 12 provinces of Iran. We defined the organizational structure, developed minimal data sets and data dictionaries, verified data sources and registration processes, and developed the necessary registry software. During this registry, we studied the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with cancer who were admitted from 2014 onwards.RESULTS: We registered 13086 BC cases (7874 eligible cases) between 1.1.2014 and 1.1.2022. Core needle biopsy from the tumor (61.25%) and diagnostic mammography (68.78%) were the two most commonly used diagnostic methods. Stage distribution was 2.03% carcinoma in situ, 12% stage I, 44.65% stage II, 21.32% stage III, and 4.61% stage IV; stage information was missing in 1532 patients (19.46%). Surgery (95.01%) and chemotherapy (79.65%) were the most common treatments for all patients.CONCLUSION: The information provided by this registry can be used to evaluate and improve the quality of care for BC patients. It will be scaled up to the national level as an important resource for measuring quality of care and conducting clinical cancer research in Iran.</p

Genetic parameters and polymorphism in candidate genes for growth and conformation traits in boer goats

T'he Boer goat, one of the most popular meat iype breed in the world, has many remarkable characteristics such as a fast growing rate, good carcass quality and excellent body conformation. Malaysia has irnported large numbers of Boel goats to develop goat farming in the country. In this respect, it is important to ídentify factors influencing the growth and lept'oductive performance of the Boer goat in order to design optirnal bleeding and selection programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and reproductive performance of Boer goats using quantitative and molecular approaches. Three independent studies were carried out. In the first study, kid gl.owth an<l doe reploductive performance were evaluated based on non-genetic factors including the year of bilth, sex of the kid, litter type, parity and their interactions, and genetic factors which were relatcd to growth, reproductive and body confolmation traits. Data fol this study were obtained fi'orn a commercial farm (iVision Bio Farm) in Janda Baik, Pahang. The project began in 2006 wlth 397 purebled Boer offsprings born in Malaysia and "174 does and 1.6 bucks as a base population imported from Australia. The research and data collection from the farm continued until 2010, duling which the pcdigree information on 1000 goats was obtained. Heritability estimates for growth and performance traits were detelmined using several different univariate and rnultivariate animal models with the derivativefree approach of restlicted rnaximurn likelihood algorithrn. The average weight at birtll weaning (3 months) and at 6 months of age was 3."12!0.77 kg, 1,0.98x2.99 kg and 21.98t0.30 kg, respectively. T'he average daily gain for different periods, namely flom 0-3, 3-6 and 0-6 months of age were 87.91+33.2 g, 1.04.62x47.1.5 g and 108.32+18.3 g, respectively. The avel.age littel size was 7.64+0.67 per birth. The average body length, height at withers, heart girth and chest depth at weaning were 43.5+5.84 cm, 44.3t1,2.00 cn,47.24+6.32 cm, and 20.8=237 cm, respectively. The values of the same body conformation traits at six months of age wcre 59.1!7.45 cn¡ 56.6+5.46 cm, 58.7+6.08 cm, and 22.49x2.89 cm, respectively. Dir.ect heritabilities (hr) in single ir.ait analyses were 0.29+0.09, 0.27+0.00, an<l 0.69!0.07 weights at birth, weaning and 6 months, lespectively and 0.0510.00, 0.8310.02, and 0.57+0.08, for average daily gain from birth to three months, three to six months of age and frorn birth to six months of age, respectively. The effects of the year of birth, sex of kid and litter'type wel'e significant (p<0.01) for rnost of the measured growth traits. Helitability estimates for most of the performancc traits revealed a moderate level of genctic valiability in these tlaits. In the second study, an investigation was carlied out to determine the polymorphism in eight candidate genes in Boer does. The investigated genes were calpastatiry insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3,kappa-casein, leptin, myostatin, pituitary-specific transcription factor, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, and s-casein. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphisrn (PCR-RFLP) assays were used to genotype these candidate genes in each animal. The obselved allele size at the 12 loci investigated was similar to tl-rat repolted in the literature. Overall, mosi of ihe genes showed polymorphism except for the IGFBP3 and kappa-casein genes. The Boer goats showed a high frequency of allele B for calpastatin (0.5a), allele T for leptinl (0.55), allele A for leptin2 (0.85), allele T for leptinS (0.65), and allele T fol POUF1 In the third siudy, a partial genorne scan was carried out to identify tire quaniitaiive trait loci (QTL) controlling per.forrnance and body conformation. To map the QTL for live body weight, growth and body conforrnation tr aits in a pur.ebr.ed Boer goat population, multiple eTL aualyses using 45 rnicrosatellite mar.ke r.s spanning 605 centirnorgan on clr¡ornosome 1,2,5,6 and 26 were conducted. Data wer.e analyz_ed using the half sib experimcntal design and the online eTL Express p1.ogr.âm. Two QTLs associated with birth weight were identified, which were located between markers BMC1009 and RM029 in chromosome S. and near marker INRABEN1T2 on chrornosome 26 (p<0.01). Other chromosomal regions did not show any eTL on the growth trait. Two QTLs for the body conformaiion traits wele located only in chromosome 1 and 26. In conclusion, it is clea¡ that there is an additive genetic variation in Boer goats in Malaysia. Mediurn to high her.itability estimates for early growth traits observed may be considered when designing an effective progl.am to irnplove growth char.acter istics. The magnitude of the heritability esiimates for weaning and post weaning weights indicated that those traits would r.espond to mass selection. However; the low heritability of litter size was caused by not only a low genetic variance but also by other. Iaudom or unidentified environrnental factors. Theleforc, the improvement of these traits is likely to be achieved through crossbreeding or improved feeding and rnanagement practices. The adequate genetic variation makes it possible to impr.ove the Boer goat productivity in Malaysia. In ihis study, the Boer. goat also showed a medium level of polymorphism in the candidate genes investigatcd. However, an evaluation of the phenotypic recor.ds for. growth, meat quality and test of the association between alleles/genotypes and the traits have to be carried out before any allele at these loci may be considered as a favorable allele in selection programs for the Boer goats. Identifying genes affecting QTL of growth are imporiant and has the potential to significantly increase the rate of genetic improvement through the use of marker-assisted selection. The results of the candidate genes and QTL analyses in this study will serve as reference for future studies on QTL mapping to cnhance goat productivity

Random Amplified Polymorphic Markers as Indicator for Genetic Conservation Program in Iranian Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

The objective of present study was identification of genetic similarity between wild Iran and captive Azerbaijan Pheasant using PCR-RAPD markers. For this purpose, in overall, 28 birds were taken for DNA extraction and subsequently 15 arbitrary primers were applied for PCR-RAPD technique. After electrophoresis, five primers exhibited sufficient variability which yielded overall 65 distinct bands, 59 polymorphic bands, for detalis, range of number of bands per primer was 10 to 14, and produced size varied between 200 to 1500 bp. Highest and lowest polymorphic primers were OPC5, OPC16 (100%) and OPC15 (81%), respectively. Result of genetic variation between two groups was accounted as nonsignificant (8.12%) of the overall variation. According to our expectation the wild Iranian birds showed higher genetic diversity value than the Azerbaijan captive birds. As general conclusion, two pheasant populations have almost same genetic origin and probably are subpopulations of one population. The data reported herein could open the opportunity to search for suitable conservation strategy to improve richness of Iran biodiversity and present study here was the first report that might have significant impact on the breeding and conservation program of Iranian pheasant gene pool. Analyses using more regions, more birds, and more DNA markers will be useful to confirm or to reject these findings