Molecular-genetic bases of plumage coloring in chicken

The color of plumage in birds is an important feature, often determining descent to a particular species or breed. It serves as a key factor in the interaction of birds with each other due to their well-developed visual perception of the surrounding world. In poultry including chickens, the color of the plumage can be treated as a genetic marker, useful for identifying breeds, populations and breeding groups with their specific traits. The origin of diverse color plumage is the result of two interrelated physical processes, chemical and optical, due to which pigment and structural colors in the color are formed. The pigment melanin, which is presented in two forms, eumelanin and pheomelanin, is widely spread in birds. The basis for the formation of melanin is the aromatic amino acid tyrosine. The process of melano-genesis involves many loci, part of the complex expression of plumage color genes. In birds, the solid black color locus encodes the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), mutations in which lead to a change in receptor activation and form different variants of the E locus. Using the GWAS analysis, possible genes affecting the formation of color in chickens were detected. The biosynthesis and types of melanin are affected by the activity of the enzyme tyrosine, and mutations in the tyrosinase gene (TYR) cause albinism in different species. The formation mechanism of brown, silver, gold, lavender and a number of other shades is determined by the influence on the work of the MC1R genes and TYR specific modifier genes. Thus, locus I currently associated with the PMEL17 gene inhibits the expression of eumelanin, and the MLPH gene affects tyrosinase function. Research on the mechanisms of formation of the secondary coloring of plumage in chickens is being actively conducted nowadays. The formation of a marble feather pattern is associated with the mutation of the endothelin B2 receptor (EDNRB2), in the coding part of the gene of which a polymorphism is found associated with the mo locus. The molecular base that causes the feather banding (locus B and autosomal recessive banding) is identified. Today, only some genes that determine the color of the plumage of chickens are studied and described. Different genes can produce similar plumage patterns, and different phenotypes can be determined by the polymorphism of a single gene. Using molecular methods, you can more accurately identify these differences. This overview shows the nature of melanin coloration in birds using the example of chickens of various breeds and also attempts to systematize knowledge about the molecular-genetic mechanisms of the appearance of various types of coloration

Efficiency of using SNP markers in the <i>MSTN</i> gene in the selection of the Pushkin breed chickens

In the poultry industry, indicators reflecting the growth rate of young stock and the exterior characteristics of chickens are important benchmarks for breeding. Traditional selection based on phenotypic evaluation is characterized by low efficiency with a low character inheritance ratio and is difficult to apply in small groups of animals and birds bred in bioresource collections. The use of molecular genetic markers associated with economically important traits makes it possible to carry out early selection of birds. This entails an increase in the profitability of the poultry industry. Recently, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have served as convenient markers for selection purposes. For five generations (P1–P5), an experimental selection of hens of the Pushkin breed was carried out for live weight. It was based on selection for single nucleotide polymorphism rs313744840 in the MSTN gene. As a result, a significant increase in the frequency of allele A in this gene, from 0.11 to 0.50, took place. The association of SNP markers with meat qualities in the experimental group led to changes in the exterior profile of an adult bird at 330 days of age. The individuals with the AA and AG genotypes had the greatest live weight and longest body. As a result of selection, the bird on average became larger due to an increase in the number of heterozygous individuals with long bodies and large chest girths. The depth of the chest and the width of the pelvis increased due to an increase in the frequency of allele A in the experimental population. A tendency towards an increase in these indicators with the substitution of G with A in the genotype was found. Saturation of the population with desirable alleles led to an increase in the average live weight of the chickens. Analysis of the exterior parameters of adult birds showed that this growth is achieved by increasing the depth and volume of the bird body, and not by increasing the length of the limbs. Thus, marker selection carried out for five generations in the experimental population of Pushkin breed chickens to increase body weight has reliably (p &lt; 0.001) changed the exterior profile of adult birds

The rate of weight gain and productivity of chicken broiler cross with various polymorphic types of myostatin gene

The search for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the myostatin gene is a promising direction of research as this gene is involved in the development of important biological and productive traits in chicken. Using PCR-RFLP technique, an analysis of allele and genotype frequencies in Cornish chicken breed of G5 line of Smena-8 cross has been conducted. Two pairs of primers allowing PCR product to be obtained in the myostatin gene have been used. Two single nucleotide substitutions on exon 1 of the myostatin gene have been under investigation: G/A in MST2109 and G/С in MST2244. A signifiant predominance of deoxynucleotide G in MST2244 over C and deoxynucleotide A over G in MST2109 has been observed. Differences in productive traits between genotypes in MST2109 were not detected. Analysis of allelic variability by MST2244 locus showed statistically significant differences in live weight at the age of 7 days between CC and G2G2 genotypes (p &lt; 0.01), CG2 and G2G2 (p &lt; 0.05). G2G2 individuals (203.52 g) were significantly heavier than CC (179.5 g) and CG2 (193.95 g) chickens at the age of 7 days. Statistically significant differences between the CC and G2G2 genotypes in live weight at the age of 33 days have been revealed (p &lt; 0.05). Thus, this research has led to a better understanding of allele frequencies in the myostatin gene in line G5 of Cornish breed. The results obtained will allow particular myostatin gene-based genotypes to be taken into account for accelerating the breeding process in the broiler poultry industry

Clinical correlations of neuron-specific enolase in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke after systemic thrombolysis

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) was studied in 24 in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke on admission and on the third day after systemic thrombolysis. Control group consisted of 9 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. There was no difference in NSE levels between groups. Significant correlations of NSE levels with Rivermid mobility index (inverse) and Rankin scale (direct) on discharge were revealed. NSE levels were significantly higher in lethal cases compared with survivors. No correlations of NSE with the volume of ischemic zone were present. Conclusion: these results indicate that neuron-specific enolase may be an indicator of clinical prognosis of ischemic stroke. At the same time NSE level doesn’t give an opportunity to prognose the volume of ischemic lesion after systemic thrombolysis.Исследованы уровни нейрон-специфической энолазы (НСЕ) при поступлении и на третий день после проведения системного тромболизиса у 24 пациентов стационара с первым в жизни ишемическим инсультом. Группу контроля составили 9 практически здоровых добровольцев соответствующего пола и возраста. Уровни НСЕ в группе пациентов и контрольной группе значимо не отличались. Выявлены высокозначимые корреляции показателя НСЕ с показателями неврологического дефицита при выписке из стационара - обратная корреляция с индексом мобильности Ривермид и прямая с показателем по шкале Рэнкин. Уровни НСЕ оказались значимо выше в группе пациентов, умерших в стационаре по сравнению с показателем в группе выживших. Не было выявлено корреляций НСЕ с объемом ишемического очага. Вывод: полученные результаты позволяют рассматривать нейрон-специфическую энолазу в качестве показателя клинического прогноза ишемического инсульта. Вместе с тем уровень НСЕ не дает возможности прогнозировать объем церебрального ишемического очага после проведения системного тромболизиса

Emotional disturbances in patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke

Objective: То evaluate the neuropsychological status of patients during the acute period of the first ischemic stroke. The study included 25 patients aged 65,72 ± 12,49 years (M ± StD) 1 -3 and 19-21 days for ischemic stroke. With the scale of assessment of mental status (MMSE), the scale of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger anxiety scale, Questionnaire coping strategies Lazarus. By the end of the acute period in patients observed reduction of neurological deficit figure for NIHSS score decreased by 66.4%. Also, there was a significant positive trend in relation to the cognitive status of patients. The level of depression at the beginning of the disease by questionnaire Beck averaged 15.60 points. By the end of the acute period of depressive symptoms regressed on the average level of depression was 11.1IU. Anxiety patients by the end of the acute period or remained at the same level, or slightly reduced. A direct correlation of the degree of neurological deficit by NIHSS and the level of depression on the scale of Beck's depression level and the level of personal anxiety. There was an inverse correlation between the index of MMSE cognitive status and depression levels. Conclusion. Emotional disorders observed in patients with acute ischemic stroke first, correlate with the severity of motor deficit. Intensity of depression decreases during the acute period, while anxiety disorders by the end of this period persist.Цель: оценить нейропсихологический статус пациентов на протяжении острого периода первого ишемического инсульта. Обследованы 25 пациентов в возрасте 65,72±12,49 лет (M+StD) на 1-3 и 19-21 день развития ишемического инсульта. С помощью шкалы оценки психического статуса (MMSE), монреальской шкалы оценки когнитивных функций (МоСА), шкалы депрессии Бека, шкалы тревожности Спилбергера, опросника копинг-стратегий Лазаруса. К концу острого периода у пациентов наблюдалась редукция неврологического дефицита, показатель по шкале NIHSS уменьшился на 66,4%. Также наблюдалась значительная положительная динамика в отношении когнитивного статуса пациентов. Уровень депрессии в начале заболевания по опроснику Бека составлял в среднем 15,60 баллов. К концу острого периода симптомы депрессии регрессировали, в среднем уровень депрессии составил ME 11,1. Тревожность пациентов к концу острого периода осталась либо на прежнем уровне, либо незначительно снизилась. Обнаружены прямые корреляции степени неврологического дефицита по NIHSS и уровня депрессии по шкале Бека, уровня депрессии и уровня личностной тревожности. Выявлена обратная корреляция показателя когнитивного статуса по MMSE и уровня депрессии. Вывод. Эмоциональные расстройства, наблюдающиеся у пациентов в остром периоде первого ишемического инсульта, коррелируют с выраженностью моторного дефицита. Выраженность депрессии уменьшается на протяжении острого периода, в то время как тревожные расстройства к концу указанного периода персистируют

DEFORMATION FEATURES OF THE CENTRAL LAYERS OF Fe - 3%Si(110)[hkl] ALLOY BY ROLLING WITH A ROLL DIAMETER OF 90 MM

The article presents the results of studies of the effect of initial crystallographic orientation and deformation modes on rolling texture in the central layer of Fe - 3%Si(110)[hkl] single crystals. Several groups of samples of single crystals were rolled under laboratory conditions. The groups of samples were classified according to the final deformation rate, the ideal crystallographic orientation of the rolling plane and deflections of the direction of the ideal orientation plane from the rolling direction. The methodology of the experiment took into account the amount of reduction rate during one rolling. Radiographic method was used to analyze the results of rolling. The obtained data was superimposed on a stereographic projection, and straight pole figures were built. The results of decoding direct pole figures revealed differences in the formation of the texture from the previously obtained results. The research shows the manifestation of the one-component deformation texture in the central layer

[Studying the structure of a gene pool population of the Russian White chicken breed by genome-wide SNP scan] Изучение структуры генофондной популяции русской белой породы кур методом геномного SNP-сканирования

A population of the Russian White chickens, bred at the gene pool farm of ARRIFAGB for 25 generations using individual selection, is characterized by resistance to a lowered temperature in the early postnatal period and white colour of the embryonic down. In 2002-2012, breeding was carried out by panmixia, and by now a new population of the Russian White chickens has been formed on the basis of the surviving stock. Comparison of the genetic variability of this population and the archival DNA of representatives of the 2001 population using microarray screening technology will help to assess the population structure and the preservation of the unique characteristics of its genome. The material for the study was DNA extracted from 162 chicken blood samples. Two groups of the Russian White breed were studied, the 2001 population and the current population. Genome-wide analysis using single nucleotide markers (SNP) included screening by means of the Illumina Chicken 60K SNP iSelect BeadChip microarray. Quality control of genotyping, determination of the population genetic structure by multidimensional scaling (MDS), calculation of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and allele frequency in the groups were carried out using PLINK 1.9 software program. The construction of a cluster delimitation model based on SNP genotypes was carried out using the ADMIXTURE program. According to the MDS analysis results, the current population can be divided into four MDS groups, which, when compared to the data of the pedigree, adequately reflect the origin of the studied individuals. The representatives of the ancestral population were genetically similar to the MDS3 group of the current population. Using the F-statistic of the two-way analysis of variance, a significant effect of the group, chromosome, chromosome in the group, and the distance between SNP markers on LD (r2) values was observed. In the 2001 group, the maximum r2 and the high incidence of LD equal to 1 were observed for all chromosomes, with a distance between SNP markers being 500-1000 Kb. There was also the greatest number of monomorphic alleles in this group. Based on the SNP analysis, we may conclude that the current Russian White chicken population is characterized by the disintegration of long LD regions of the ancestral population. Modelling clusters using the ADMIXTURE program revealed differences between the current population groups determined by MDS analysis. The groups composed of individuals included in MDS1 and MDS2 had a homogeneous structure and differed from each other at K = 4 and K = 5. The MDS4 group formed a genetically heterogeneous cluster different from the MDS1 and MDS2 groups at K of 2-5. The MDS3 group was phylogenetically close to the 2001 population (at K of 2-5). In general, the analysis of the current gene pool population of the Russian White chickens showed its heterogeneity while one of its groups (MDS3) was similar to the ancestral population of 2001, which in turn is characterized by a large number of monomorphic alleles and a high frequency of long LD regions. Thus, SNP scanning allowed evaluating the genetic similarity of individuals and the population structure of the Russian White chicken breed. Understanding the genetic structure is an important point in the panmictic breeding and tracking of historical changes in the molecular organization of the genome of a gene pool population with a limited number of animals. Популяция русских белых кур селекционировалась в генофондном хозяйстве Всероссийского НИИ генетики и разведения сельскохозяйственных животных (ВНИИГРЖ) в течение 25 поколений с использованием индивидуального подбора. Особенности этой породы — устойчивость к пониженной температуре выращивания в ранний постнатальный период и белый цвет эмбрионального пуха. В 2002-2012 годах ее разведение осуществлялось методом панмиксии, и к настоящему времени на основе сохранившегося поголовья сформирована новая популяция русских белых кур. Нашей целью было показать возможности полногеномного SNP-сканирования (single nucleotide polymorphisms) для изучения генетических особенностей структуры популяции малочисленных пород кур отечественного происхождения и динамические изменения молекулярной архитектуры на примере сравнения современной популяции русской белой породы с предковой популяцией 2001 года. Были проанализированы две группы кур: популяция 2001 года (6 гол., неродственные особи из двух линий) и современная популяция (156 гол.). SNP-анализ включал скрининг 162 образцов ДНК с помощью микрочипа Illumina Chicken 60K SNP iSelect BeadChip («Illumina», США). Контроль качества генотипирования, определение генетической структуры популяции методом многомерного шкалирования (multidimensional scaling, MDS), расчет показателей неравновесного сцепления (linkage disequilibrium, LD) и частоты встречаемости аллеей по группам проводили в программе PLINK 1.9. Построение модели разграничения кластеров на основе SNP-генотипов осуществляли с использованием программы ADMIXTURE. По результатам MDS-анализа современная популяция была условно разделена на четыре MDS-группы, что в сравнении с данными родословной адекватно отражает происхождение изученных особей. Представители предковой популяции были генетически сходны с группой MDS3. С применением F-статистики многофакторного дисперсионного анализа выявлено достоверное влияние группы, хромосомы, хромосомы в группе и дистанции между SNP-маркерами на значения LD (r2). В группе 2001 года по всем хромосомам наблюдались максимальные показатели r2 и высокая частота встречаемости LD, равного 1, при расстоянии между SNP-маркерами 500-1000 Кб. Количество мономорфных аллелей в этой группе также было самым высоким. На основании SNP-анализа сделан вывод о том, что современная популяция русских белых кур характеризуется распадом длинных LD-районов предковой популяции. Моделирование кластеров в программе ADMIXTURE выявило различия между группами современной популяции, определенными с помощью MDS-анализа. Группы, сформированные из особей, входящих в MDS1 и MDS2, имели однородную структуру и различались между собой при K = 4 и K = 5. Группа MDS4 образовывала генетически неоднородный кластер, отличающийся от групп MDS1 и MDS2 при значениях K от 2 до 5. Группа MDS3 была филогенетически близка к популяции 2001 года (при K от 2 до 5). Таким образом, анализ современной генофондной популяции русских белых кур показал ее неоднородность и сходство группы MDS3 с предковой популяцией 2001 года, которая, в свою очередь, характеризовалась большим числом мономорфных аллелей и высокой частотой встречаемости длинных LD-районов. SNP-сканирование позволило оценить генетическое сходство особей и популяционную структуру русской белой породы кур. Понимание генетической структуры важно при панмиктическом разведении и отслеживании исторических изменений в молекулярной организации генома генофондной популяции с ограниченным поголовьем

Diversities in the Gut Microbial Patterns in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases and Certain Heart Failure Phenotypes

To continue progress in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, there is a need to improve the overall understanding of the processes that contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Exploring the role of gut microbiota in various heart diseases is a topic of great interest since it is not so easy to find such reliable connections despite the fact that microbiota undoubtedly affect all body systems. The present study was conducted to investigate the composition of gut microbiota in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and heart failure syndromes with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF), and to compare these results with the microbiota of individuals without those diseases (control group). Fecal microbiota were evaluated by three methods: living organisms were determined using bacterial cultures, total DNA taxonomic composition was estimated by next generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S rRNA gene (V3&ndash;V4) and quantitative assessment of several taxa was performed using qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction). Regarding the bacterial culture method, all disease groups demonstrated a decrease in abundance of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis in comparison to the control group. The HFrEF group was characterized by an increased abundance of Streptococcus sanguinus and Streptococcus parasanguinis. NGS analysis was conducted at the family level. No significant differences between patient&rsquo;s groups were observed in alpha-diversity indices (Shannon, Faith, Pielou, Chao1, Simpson, and Strong) with the exception of the Faith index for the HFrEF and control groups. Erysipelotrichaceae were significantly increased in all three groups; Streptococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae were significantly increased in ASCVD and HFrEF groups. These observations were indirectly confirmed with the culture method: two species of Streptococcus were significantly increased in the HFrEF group and Lactobacillus plantarum was significantly increased in the ASCVD group. The latter observation was also confirmed with qPCR of Lactobacillus sp. Acidaminococcaceae and Odoribacteraceae were significantly decreased in the ASCVD and HFrEF groups. Participants from the HFpEF group showed the least difference compared to the control group in all three study methods. The patterns found expand the knowledge base on possible correlations of gut microbiota with cardiovascular diseases. The similarities and differences in conclusions obtained by the three methods of this study demonstrate the need for a comprehensive approach to the analysis of microbiota