Repeats as global DNA methylation marker in bovine preimplantation embryos

DNA methylation undergoes dynamic changes and is a crucial part of the epigenetic regulation during mammalian early development. To determine the DNA methylation levels in bovine embryos, we applied a bisulfite sequencing based method aimed at repetitive sequences including three retrotransposons (L1_BT, BovB, and ERV1-1-I_BT) and Satellite I. A more accurate estimate of the global DNA methylation level compared to previous methods using only one repeat sequence, like Alu, could be made by calculation of the weighted arithmetic mean of multiple repetitive sequences, considering the copy number of each repetitive sequence. Satellite I and L1_BT showed significant methylation reduction at the blastocyst stage, while BovB and ERV1-1-I_BT showed no difference. The mean methylation level of the repetitive sequences during preimplantation development was the lowest at the blastocyst stage. No methylation difference was found between embryos cultured in 5% and 20% O-2. Because mutations of CpGs negatively influence the calculation accuracy, we checked the mutation rate of the sequenced CpG sites. Satellite I and L1_BT showed a relatively low mutation rate (1.92 and 3.72% respectively) while that of ERV1-1-I_BT and BovB was higher (11.95 and 24% respectively). Therefore we suggest using a combination of repeats with low mutation rate, taking into account the proportion of each sequence, as a relatively quick marker for the global DNA methylation status of preimplantation stages and possibly also for other cell types

An overview of the current genetic and phenotypical selection strategies to reduce the prevalence of feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy = Een overzicht van de huidige genetische en fenotypische selectiestrategieën tegen hypertrofe cardiomyopathie bij de kat

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common and potentially lethal heart disease in cats. To reduce its prevalence, breeding cats are frequently screened on the basis of their phenotype or genotype. Although echocardiography is the most reliable phenotypical method, its efficacy is limited by the incomplete penetrance of HCM and by difficulties in distinguishing primary HCM from other causes of left ventricular hypertrophy. On the other hand, genetic testing is hampered by the genetic heterogeneity of the disease. Genetic tests are currently only available for Maine Coons and Ragdolls. Because of the high prevalence of HCM, stringent selection may have a negative impact on the genetic diversity of a breed. A more optimal selection would therefore be a slow and careful exclusion of phenotypically and/or genetically positive cats

Danser avec les esprits : Explorations de l’univers amérindien

Un des aspects les plus frappants de la réalité multiculturelle et plurireligieuse du Canada est la persistance de l’univers spirituel des Amérindien(ne)s. Cet article offre un aperçu et une interprétation de la place des « esprits » dans ce monde autochtone, contemporain. Au moyen de la description d’un rituel particulier (la suerie), nous essayons de saisir la nature et la fonction des entités qui sont désignées comme « esprits », « puissances » ou « puissances spirituelles », tout en soulignant l’actualité et la valeur thérapeutique de la médecine amérindienne, traditionnelle

Frequency estimation of disease-causing mutations in the Belgian population of some dog breeds, part 1 : shepherds

In light of improving breeding advice, the frequency was estimated for all the disease-causing mutations that were known at the start of the study and that are potentially relevant for a group of dog breeds, which are relatively popular or in which the genetic diversity in Belgium is low to moderately low. In this study, the results for the German shepherd dog, Malinois, Lakenois, Groenendael, Tervuren, Australian shepherd and Border collie are presented. Disorders with a frequency high enough to warrant routine genotyping for breeding programs are (1) multidrug resistance 1 and hereditary cataract for the Australian shepherd, (2) degenerative myelopathy for the German shepherd dog, Malinois and Groenendael and (3) collie eye anomaly for the Border collie. In addition, the hyperuricosuria mutation described in the German shepherd dog was not found in its Belgian population, but was, to the authors' knowledge discovered for the first time in the Malinois

Frequency estimation of disease-causing mutations in the Belgian population of some dog breeds, part 2 : retrievers and other breed types

A Belgian population of ten breeds with a low to moderately low genetic diversity or which are relatively popular in Belgium, i.e. Bichon frise, Bloodhound, Bouvier des Flandres, Boxer, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Irish setter, Papillon, Rottweiler, Golden retriever and Labrador retriever, was genotyped for all potentially relevant disease-causing variants known at the start of the study. In this way, the frequency was estimated for 26 variants in order to improve breeding advice. Disorders with a frequency high enough to recommend routine genotyping in breeding programs are (1) degenerative myelopathy for the Bloodhound, (2) arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and degenerative myelopathy for Boxers, (3) episodic falling syndrome and macrothrombocytopenia for the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, (4) progressive retinal atrophy rod cone dysplasia 4 for the Irish setter (5) Golden retriever progressive retinal atrophy 1 for the Golden retriever and (6) exercise induced collapse and progressive rod-cone degeneration for the Labrador retriever. To the authors' knowledge, in this study, the presence of a causal mutation for a short tail in the Bouvier des Flandres is described for the first time

Dermot A. Lane: Stepping Stones to Other Religions. A Christian Theology of Inter-Religious Dialogue.Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2011. 328 p. ISBN 978-1-57057-991-8 (pbk.)

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Gerald A. ARBUCKLE: Culture, Inculturation, and Theologians. A Postmodern Critique. Foreword by Anthony Gittins, CSSp. Collegeville, Minnesota: A Michael Glazier Book, Liturgical Press, 2010. 200 p. ISBN 789-08146-5458-3.

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