Evaluation of candidate gene effects and environmental factors on reproductive performance of Holstein cows

This study investigated the impact of nine polymorphisms located in the CSN2, CSN3, CSN1S1, CSN1S2, OLR1, LALBA, STAT1, DGAT1 and LGB genes, and environmental factors including calving year, season and parity on reproductive traits. The analysis was conducted on 165 Holstein-Friesian cows. Genotypes were identified using PCR-RFLP. The data of reproductive traits for four lactations were evaluated. Statistical analysis was carried out using least squares of the GLM procedures. Results indicated that CSN2 had significant effects on days before first insemination and first insemination to pregnancy interval. The SNP at the CSN3 was significantly associated with gestation length. A novel effect of OLR1-C223A on age at first calving was observed in the present study. Moreover, DGAT1 and LGB markers were significantly associated with calving interval and days before first insemination, respectively. In addition, significant environmental effects were as follows: calving year with days before first oestrus, days open, and first insemination to pregnancy interval; season with days open, first insemination to pregnancy interval, and calving interval; parity with days before first oestrus and days open. The present results and novel associations may therefore be useful and indicative for future studies on a genetic basis of cattle reproduction traits.Keywords: cattle, environmental effects, genetic marker, Holstein-Friesian, reproduction parameter

Relationship of the bovine IGF1, TG, DGAT1 and MYF5 genes to meat colour, tenderness and cooking loss

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗBovine insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), thyroglobulin (TG), diacylglycerol-O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) and myogenic factor 5 (MYF5) genes play an important role in the physiology of lipid and muscle metabolism and are therefore considered as candidate genes for meat production traits in farm animals. The objectives of this study were to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IGF1, TG, DGAT1 and MYF5 genes and to evaluate whether these polymorphisms affected meat colour, tenderness and cooking loss in Holstein cattle. Initially, the SNPs were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Meat samples (N= 50) derived from M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) were used in the current study. Significant differences in variations of meat colour parameters were observed at 24 hours post-mortem. IGF1 was associated with colour parameters of a* and chroma values. In addition, effects of TG were statistically significant on L* and a* values, while, effects of MYF5 were significant on a* value. There was no association of the tested SNPs with meat pH, tenderness and cooking loss. The results presented here may give the valuable information for improving meat colour in cattle

USING RICE BRAN IN LAYING HEN DIETS

Rice bran is an energy and protein rich ingredient used in poultry feeding. To balance energy and protein requirements. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of rice bran on performance and egg quality during peak production of a commercial White laying strain of 22 week of age. Dietary treatments were consisted by inclusion of rice bran at 0, 5, 10 and 15% levels. Each treatment had 6 reps in which 12 birds were randomly assigned in wired fl oor battery cages equipped with nipple drinkers and through feeders. Layers accessed to feed and water freely. Lighting regimen was adjusted to 16h light/8h dark. The experiment lasted for 10 weeks. Overall results of the present experiment indicated that rice bran could be included up to 10% without any adverse affect on laying performance, egg quality and digestive organs

Comprehensive assessment of candidate genes associated with fattening performance in Holstein–Friesian bulls

The objective of this study was to determine the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in selected candidate genes with fattening performance traits in a commercial cattle herd. Fifteen SNPs in 12 candidate genes (LEP, FABP4, DGAT1, TG, IGF1, IGF1R, MYF5, LGB, CAPN1, CAST, GHR, and OLR1) were evaluated in 296 purebred Holstein–Friesian bulls using PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism). Associations between each segregating SNP and genetic merit for fattening performance were quantified using linear mixed models. Traits included in the study were fattening period, final weight, dry matter intake, feed conversion rate, and average daily weight gain. Apart from the general determination of the above-mentioned traits, each trait was evaluated based on the fattening periods between five selected target body weights (W1&thinsp;=&thinsp;100&thinsp;kg, W2&thinsp;=&thinsp;200&thinsp;kg, W3&thinsp;=&thinsp;300&thinsp;kg, W4&thinsp;=&thinsp;400&thinsp;kg, W5&thinsp;=&thinsp;450&thinsp;kg). All markers with the exception of CAPN1 530, IGF1R, TG, and DGAT1 were associated with at least one of the traits. Furthermore, novel associations were observed for LEP&thinsp;×&thinsp;GHR, IGF1&thinsp;×&thinsp;LEP, FABP4 3691&thinsp;×&thinsp;FABP4 2834, and FAP4 3533&thinsp;×&thinsp;LEP interactions. The results of this study confirm some previously reported associations. Moreover, novel associations have been identified, which may be incorporated into breeding programs to improve fattening performance.</p

Local political marketing in the context of the conservative party

Local political marketing can be defined as marketing related strategy, activities, and tactics implemented by a political party in a local geographic constituency, in order to attempt to maximise aggregate potential voter satisfaction, and therefore maximise total number of votes and electoral support in the constituency. Through 12 in-depth interviews with Local Constituency Party representatives from the Conservative Party, the study found that local political marketing was acknowledged by a majority of respondents although this was not unequivocal, and was frequently conflated with campaigning. Local political marketing was associated with: visual identity, language/messages, values, image, communication devices, awareness raising, data management and targeting, and simplification. The support from higher levels of the party in local political marketing was varied across constituencies. There was evidence of growing coordination /influence by higher levels of the party in local political marketing. However, this tended to be in seats judged as ‘winnable’

Upaya Meningkatkan Penguasaan Mufradat Melalui Teknik Permainan Kata Bagi Siswa Kelas VI Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Mambaul Ulum Tatah Pamangkih

H. Samli Hasbullah. 2011. Upaya Meningkatkan Penguasaan Mufradat Melalui Teknik Permainan Kata Bagi Siswa Kelas VI Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Mambaul Ulum Tatah Pamangkih. Skripsi, Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa Arab, Fakultas Tarbiyah. Pembimbing: (I) Prof. Dr. Hj. Juairiah, M.Pd (II) Dra. Mariani.\ud \ud Penelitian ini berawal dari keadaan rendahnya penguasaan siswa dalam mufradat bahasa Arab, serta belum ditemukannya teknik pembelajaran yang tepat dan efesien agar bisa meningkatkan penguasaan mufradat bahasa Arab siswa kelas VI Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Mambaul Ulum Tatah Pamangkih. \ud Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk meningkatkan penguasaan siswa dalam mufradat bahasa Arab. \ud Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian yang menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode penelitian tindakan kelas, yaitu bentuk pembelajaran yang bersifat reflektif untuk memperbaiki kondisi pembelajaran dan meningkatkan kemantapan rasional dari tindakan melaksanakan tugas dengan proses pengkajian berdaur, yaitu merencanakan, melaksanakan tindakan, mengamati, dan merefleksi tentang permasalahan rendahnya penguasaan dalam mufradat bahasa Arab siswa kelas VI Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Mambaul Ulum Tatah Pamangkih. Untuk itu direncanakan tindakan kelas dalam upaya meningkatkan penguasaan siswa dalam mufradat bahasa Arab dengan pembelajaran melalui teknik permainan kata. Tindakan kelas yang dilaksanakan dalam menerapkan pembelajaran melalui media gambar pada pembelajaran Bahasa Arab di kelas VI dilakukan dengan dua cara pengamatan, yaitu 1) Pengamatan langsung yang dilakukan peneliti terhadap kegiatan pembelajaran melalui teknik permainan kata. 2) Pengamatan partisipasi yang dilakukan oleh guru sejawat untuk mengamati kegiatan pembelajaran 2 x 35 menit selama dua siklus, siklus pertama dan siklus kedua sesuai tahapan-tahapan proses belajar mengajar di kelas. \ud Berdasarkan refleksi hasil tindakan kelas siklus I dan siklus II penelitian ini, diperoleh data : a) Kegiatan pembelajaran berada dalam katagori baik, hal ini dilihat dari hasil observasi teman sejawat terhadap kegiatan pembelajaran yang dilakukan peneliti diperoleh rata-rata siklus I dan siklus II 79,32%. b) Aktivitas siswa dalam pembelajaran berada dalam katagori baik, hal ini dilihat dari hasil observasi teman sejawat terhadap aktivitas siswa dalam kegiatan belajar-mengajar, diperoleh rata-rata siklus I dan siklus II 75%. c) Terjadinya peningkatan hasil tes dari siklus I ke siklus II, hal ini dilihat dari hasil tes yang dilaksanakan pada siklus I rata-rata pertemuan pertama yaitu 65,95 meningkat pada pertemuan kedua menjadi 67,38 di bawah indikator ketuntasan belajar. Pada siklus II, pertemuan pertama menjadi 69,52 dan pada pertemuan kedua meningkat menjadi 71,67 di atas indikator ketuntasan belajar yang ditetapkan sebelumnya. \ud Berdasarkan hasil penelitian tersebut dapat disimpulkan bahwa dengan menggunakan pembelajaran melalui teknik permainan kata dapat meningkatkan penguasaan mufradat bahasa Arab siswa kelas VI Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Mambaul Ulum Tatah Pamangkih. Untuk itu disarankan kepada guru agar selalu berupaya untuk menciptakan kondisi pembelajaran yang menyenangkan yaitu dengan memilih teknik pembelajaran yang sesuai, salah satunya adalah teknik permainan kata, sehingga tujuan pembelajaran yang diinginkan dapat tercapai

Molecular detection of vanA and vanB genes among vancomycin-resistant enterococci in ICU-hospitalized patients in Ahvaz in southwest of Iran

Mojtaba Moosavian,1,2 Hosein Ghadri,2 Zahra Samli3 1Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 2Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 3School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Objective: Nosocomial infections due to vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are known as a source of spreading these bacteria. The aim of this prospective study was molecular detection of vanA and vanB genes among VRE isolated from patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) in Ahvaz in southwest of Iran.Materials and methods: Overall, 243 non-duplicate rectal swab specimens were collected from ICU-hospitalized patients in teaching hospitals affiliated to Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The specimens were inoculated on suitable culture media, and isolates were identified by standard biochemical tests. The susceptibility and resistance of enterococci to 10 antibiotics were determined based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Resistance to vancomycin was phenotypically detected by vancomycin screening test, and the vanA and vanB genes in vancomycin-resistant isolates were amplified by multiplex PCR method.Results: Of 175 specimens containing enterococci, 129 (73.7%) isolates were detected as Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis and 46 (26.3%) isolates as Enterococcus spp. The results of susceptibility test showed high rates of resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and ampicillin. Moreover, based on this test, out of 129 Enterococcus isolates, 56 (43.4%) were resistant to vancomycin and teicoplanin. Also, among 59 vancomycin-resistant or semi-susceptible isolates, vanA gene was detected in 54 (91.5%) isolates, while none of the isolates had vanB gene.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, to prevent the spread of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus strains, especially in nosocomial infections, the susceptibility of isolates should be determined before vancomycin prescription. Keywords: Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, multiplex PCR, vancomyci