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Linkage and QTL maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 11 (SSC11) have been produced based on four microsatellite markers genotyped in three F2 families from Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses. The maps were similar across the families and in agreement with already published maps. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) were identified in the W x M family and not in the M × P and W × P families. The QTLs affected live weight, loin and neck meat weight, back-fat depth and food consumption, and explained up to 4.7% of the F2 phenotypic variance. Additive and dominance effects were similar in size. The Wild Boar QTL alleles led to higher trait values in comparison with Meishan alleles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage and QTL maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 10 (SSC10) were constructed by genotyping six microsatellite markers in three F2 families based on Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses. The linkage maps were similar for the families and in agreement with the published maps. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) were found in the M × P and W × M families, but not in the W × P family. In both these families, QTLs for the number of teats were mapped on distal SSC10. Further, QTLs in the W × M family affect the weight of head, live weight and carcass weight traits and were mapped proximally on SSC10 near SW830. The QTLs on SSC10 explained up to 6.5% of F2 phenotypic variance. QTL effects for some traits were overdominant. Except for the weight of head, Wild Boar alleles slightly increased weight traits and, unexpectedly, markedly increased teat numbers in comparison with Meishan alleles. In the M × P family, however, teat number was increased by Meishan alleles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 8 (SSC8) were constructed using seven markers in three F2 families based on Meishan (M), Pietrain (P) and Wild Boar (W) crosses. The maps were similar for the pedigrees and in agreement with published maps. Most quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were found for the W × P family, while only minor QTLs were detected in the M × P and W × M families. SSC8 harbours QTLs mapped in the interval SW905 to SW933 explaining up to 6% of the F2 phenotypic variance for body conformation, carcass and growth traits. Pietrain alleles positively influenced carcass traits, with additive effects often larger than dominance effects. For food conversion ratio a large dominance QTL effect was observed in the M × P family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the genetic diversity between European Wild Boar, Pietrain and Meishan and their crossbred generations. Focus on performance traits for growth, carcass composition and meat quality; Range of values for the specified breeds; Analysis of genes.

Biochar and hydrochar application to soil holds promise for climate change mitigation. This study provides first insights into the nutrient concentration and removal of grassland vegetation after addition of various carbon compounds together with pig slurry. Four treatments: control (no carbon application), feedstock, hydrochar and biochar from Miscanthus x giganteus were applied at a permanent grassland site near Giessen, Germany. Changes in plant functional groups, biomass production and nutrition status were monitored over 2 years. Total biomass production was not affected by the carbon amendments. However, biochar favoured growth of forbs over grasses, while legume growth was increased by all carbon amendments. The initial nutrient concentrations of the carbon compounds were enriched according to their degree of carbonization, potentially providing nutrients to plants. The plant biomass from hydro- and biochar amended plots, added up over 2 years, exhibited higher potassium concentrations compared to biomass from feedstock and control plots. All carbon amendments led to lower sodium concentrations in total biomass, compared to the control. Uncarbonized feedstock led to increased manganese concentrations in total biomass, while the concentrations of all other heavy metals were not influenced by any carbon amendment, compared to the control. From a plant and animal nutritional point of view, none of the carbon amendments reduced grassland yield or fodder quality. The study suggests that hydrochar and, even more so, biochar may provide a source of potassium to plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nucleotide sequence data referred to in this paper have been submitted to GenBank and have been assigned the accession number X97040.c-myc is an ubiquitous nuclear phosphoprotein involved in the regulation of cell-growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Higher nuclear levels of c-myc block adipogenesis and trigger the onset of myogenesis and folliculogenesis. The c-myc proto-oncogene has the potential of a mediator between second messengers such as calcium and cAMP and gene expression. As both are involved in stress-susceptibility and carcass quality in the pig, this study investigates associations between c-myc genotypes and carcass quality traits as well as interactions with the Ryr1 genotype in this species. An association between c-myc and carcass fat traits was evident, but did not reach genome-wide significance levels. Significance niveaus, explained variance and mean differences between the homozygotes of the Ryr1-gene which clearly decreased from the AA-genotype to the BB-genotype of c-myc are indicating a gene interaction between both genes. Mean differences in lean percentage (expressed in SD) decreased by 89.2% in ME × PI and by 86.3% in WS × PI. The existing but weakly developed significances of the association between c-myc and carcass fat traits are discussed under the aspect of epistatic nullification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SSC12 (Sus scrofa chromosome 12) linkage and QTL maps were generated using 11 markers, of which seven to 10 have been used in the three F2 families based on Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses. Linkage maps showed identical marker order among the families, but differed in total lengths. They were in agreement with the already published maps, except for the order SWR1021SW605. Most quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affected fat or meat content in carcass, but were also found for some other traits (heart weight, CK20 values and teat number). They explained up to 5.4% of F2 phenotypic variance. Meishan alleles had stimulating effects on fat deposition and decreasing effects on lean content and CK20 value. The QTL profiles differed between families, with QTL effects in the vicinity of the GH1 locus found solely in the M x P family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 3 (SSC3) were established on the basis of eight marker loci using three F2 families generated from crosses of Meishan (M), Pietrain (P) and Wild Boar (W) founders. The maps were similar for the three families and in agreement with the published linkage maps. Recombination was significantly higher in maternal than in paternal meioses. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs), explaining up to 6.0% of the F2 phenotypic variance, were mapped for daily gain, carcass traits and meat quality in proximal and central intervals of SSC3. The QTLs detected were often family-specific. Pietrain QTL alleles were superior for muscle traits in comparison with Meishan alleles, and Wild Boar QTL alleles caused lower values for fatness than Pietrain alleles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 1 (SSC1) have been produced using 10 markers in three different F2 families based on crosses of Meishan (M), Pietrain (P) and Wild Boar (W). The maps were similar for the different families and show higher paternal recombination, especially in the interval SW2130-SW803. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting body conformation, carcass composition, fat deposition and numbers of teats were identified in all three families. Major QTLs were mapped in chromosomal intervals centred at approximately 60, 120 and 170 cM. The QTLs explain up to 8.4% of phenotypic variance in the F2 generation. Pietrain QTL alleles were superior in comparison with Wild Boar andMeishan alleles for most of the trait values. Meishan alleles were associated with highest fat deposition. Additive gene effects were generally larger than dominance effects. QTL profiles on SSC1 differed between families, with the W x P family being most distinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three informative pig F2 families based on European Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses have been used for genome-wide linkage and quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. Altogether 129 microsatellites, 56 type I loci and 46 trait definitions (specific to growth, fattening, fat deposition, muscling, meat quality, stress resistance and body conformation) were included in the study. In the linkage maps of M × P, W × P and W × M families, average spacing of markers were 18.4, 19.7 and 18.8 cM, the numbers of informative meioses were 582, 534 and 625, and the total lengths of autosomes measured were 27.3, 26.0 and 26.2 Morgan units, respectively. Maternal maps were on average 1.3 times longer than paternal maps. QTLs contributing more than 3% of F2 phenotypic variance could be identified at p < 0.05 chromosome-wide level. Differences in the numbers and positions of QTLs were observed between families. Genome-wide significant QTL effects were mapped for growth and fattening traits on eight chromosomes (1, 2, 4, 13, 14, 17, 18 and X), for fat deposition traits on seven chromosomes (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and X), for muscling traits on 11 chromosomes (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15 and X), for meat quality and stress resistance traits on seven chromosomes (2, 3, 6, 13, 16, 18 and X), and QTLs for body-conformation traits were detected on 14 chromosomes. Closely correlated traits showed similar QTL profiles within families. Major QTL effects for meat quality and stress resistance traits were found on SSC6 in the interval RYR1-A1BG in the W × P and M × P families, and could be attributed to segregation of the RYR1 allele T derived from Pietrain, whereas no effect in the corresponding SSC6 interval was found in family W × M, where Wild Boar and Meishan both contributed the RYR1 allele C. QTL positions were mostly similar in two of the three families for body conformation traits and for growth, fattening, fat deposition and muscling traits, especially on SSC4 (interval SW1073-NGFB). QTLs with large effects were also mapped on SSC7 in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (interval CYP21A2-S0102) and affected body length, weight of head and many other traits. The identification of DNA variants in genes causative for the QTLs requires further fine mapping of QTL intervals and a positional cloning. However, for these subsequent steps, the genome-wide QTL mapping in F2 families represents an essential starting point and is therefore significant for animal breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibre traits and glycolytic metabolites in musculus longissimus dorsi of European Wild Boar, Pietrain and Meishan as well as their F1 and F2 crossbred generations were evaluated and compared. Pietrain had the highest relative number of white fibres and the largest muscle fibres. Wild Boar showed the smallest muscle fibres. The R -value and lactate level of Wild Boar and Meishan were low, whereas Pietrain had high R -values and lactate levels. The glycogen level was highest in Wild Boar and lowest in Meishan. The F1 - and F2 -crossbreds often had trait values between those of their founder breeds. Several antagonistic relations between fibre characteristics, muscle metabolites and performance traits for carcass and meat quality have been found. They are family-specific and strongest within the crossbreds of the Pietrain-based families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the catalysis of the deamination of adenosine monophosphate deaminase (AMPD) to IMP in skeletal muscle and plays an important role in the purine nucleotide cycle. Design of degenerate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers to study the porcine AMPD1 gene; Primer sequences observed.

The Sus scrofa chromosome X (SSCX) linkage and QTL maps, based on 11 markers, were investigated in F2 families generated from Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses. The linkage maps were similar for the three families and to the published USDA-MARC.2 linkage map. Strongly supported quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for growth, fattening, meat quality and weight of head were mapped in the proximal part of SSCX of the M × P and W × P families, whilst QTLs for fat deposition andmuscling mainly were assigned to the mid part of SSCX in the W × M and M × P families. The QTLs explained up to 13.7% of F2 phenotypic variance. Meishan QTL alleles led to increased fatness traits, while those of Pietrain tended to increased carcass and meat weights and to decreased meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage and QTL maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 18 (SSC18) were generated using five markers in three F2 families based on Wild Boar (W), Pietrain (P) and Meishan (P) crosses. The linkage maps were similar for the three families and confirm the published map. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for meat content, fat-to-meat ratio, weight of liver and food conversion ratio were mapped in the W × M family. A QTL for pH value 24 h after slaughter in Musculus semimembranosus was found in the M × P family. The QTL for carcass meat content and fat-to-meat ratio in the W × M family were localized near the leptin gene (LEP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage and QTL maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 17 (SSC17) were analysed with five markers and in three F2 families basedon Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses. The maps were similar across the three families and agree well with published maps. In the M × P family, new quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for growth and fat deposition were locatedin the vicinity of GHRH, whereas in the W × P family one minor QTLs for daily gain was detected. No QTL was found in the W x M family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sus scrofa chromosome 15 (SSC15) linkage maps were produced with six markers in three F2 families based on Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses. The maps were similar for the different families, with a higher rate of maternal recombination than paternal only in the M x P family. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for carcass composition (dressing yield, lean cuts and fat depth) explained up to 9% of F2 phenotypic variance in the W × P family and mapped near the marker S0148 (0 cM). Similar QTLs for fat depth were observed in the W × M family, where a minor QTL for dressing yield was mapped in the interval EAG-SW964 (approximately at 25 cM). No SSC15 QTL was found in the M × P family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sus scrofa chromosome 14 (SSC14) linkage maps, constructed using eight markers in three F2families based on Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses, were similar for the different families. The detected quantitative trait loci (QTLs) explained up to 8.2% of the F2 phenotypic variance for carcass traits. They were located in the interval SW540 to SW2488 (containing the candidate loci ACTN2 and ACTA1) in the M × P and W x P families. A QTL for body weight at 35 days was mapped close to the candidate locus ACTN2 in the W × M family. In comparison with Pietrain QTL alleles, the effects of Meishan and Wild Boar alleles reduced meat content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For Sus scrofa chromosome 13 (SSC13) eleven markers were genotyped to generate linkage and QTL maps in three F2 families based on Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses. Results of linkage maps were similar and agreed with published maps. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for body weights, meat conductivity and fat deposition were mapped in the M × P family to the interval S0076S0068 (40-80 cM) and near the locus SW38 (120-150 cM). QTLs for the same traits were observed in the W × M family in different intervals explaining up to 5.3% of the F2 phenotypic variance. No significant QTLs for the traits under investigation were found in the W × P family. The effects of QTL alleles were mostly dominant. In the M x P and W x M families alleles inherited from Meishan were generally associated with high values of live weights, food consumption and fat deposition and low values of meat conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 16 (SSC16) were produced using five markers and three F2 families based on Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses. The maps were similar for the different families and in agreement with published maps. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for fattening, growth, meat quality and stress resistance were found in the M × P and W × P families, but not in the W × M family. QTLs for fattening and growth were mapped to the proximal end of SSC16, whereas QTLs for meat quality were located centrally or distally. The QTLs explained up to 5.9% of the F2 phenotypic variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage and QTL maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 9 (SSC9) were constructed using 16 markers, with 13 to 15 used in three F2 families based on Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses. The LPR and SLN loci were integrated into the linkage map of SSC9 for the first time. Only a few quantitative trait loci (QTLs), explaining up to 5.1% of the F2 phenotypic variance, were identified on SSC9 with chromosome-wide significant effects on growth and fattening in the W x P family and on weight of liver, growth and fat-to-meat ratio in the W x M family. No QTLs were found in the M x P family. Gene effects were mainly dominant in the W x P family. In the W × M family, Wild Boar QTL alleles for weight of liver were superior over Meishan alleles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sus scrofa chromosome 2 (SSC2) linkage maps were generated from three F2 families involving Meishan (M), Pietrain (P) and Wild Boar (W) crosses and the same 10 marker loci. SSC2 linkage maps were similar between families and correspond to published maps. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for carcass traits, daily gain and heart weight were identified on SSC2, especially in the intervals 0-20 and 80-90 cM in the M × P family, the intervals 20-50 and 125-140 cM in the W × P family, and the interval 15-70 cM in the W × M family. QTL presence and position varied among families. QTL effects explained up to 10% of F2 phenotypic variance. Pietrain QTL alleles were associated with high muscle and heart mass, high daily gain and low fat deposition and Meishan alleles with high carcass fat content. Wild Boar alleles were associated with leaner carcass but lower daily gain than Meishan alleles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage maps have been constructed for Sus scrofa chromosome 6 (SSC6) based on 17 markers, of which 10 were used in all three F2 families of Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses. The coverage of the linkage maps of SSC6 was almost complete. All loci were ordered identically in the families, but two intervals (RYR1-A1BG-EAH, S0146-S0003-SW824) differed from published maps. Major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for meat quality, stress resistance and carcass composition explaining up to 59% of F2 phenotypic variance have been mapped in the M x P and W x P families centred on the segregating R YR1 T and C alleles. In the W × M family, which was homozygous for the RYR1 C allele, no QTL effects for meat quality and stress-resistance, but moderate effects for carcass composition have been observed in this region. These findings indicate further loci closely linked with the RYR1 or/and further alleles at the RYR1 locus, involved in the variation of carcass and growth traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 4 (SSC4) based on 19 markers were similar in lengths for three F2-families [Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses] and in agreement with the previously published maps. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on SSC4 affect mainly muscle and fat mass. Compared with others, Pietrain alleles were associated with longer carcass, higher body weight and higher meat content. In all three families, the profiles of F ratio values for these traits showed peaks close to the positions of candidate genes V-ATPase, ATP1A2 and ATP1B1. Additional more proximally mapped QTLs, significant at the p < 0.05 chromosome-wide level, were found in the M x P and W x P families. The W × M family revealed highly significant QTLs located in the vicinity of AMPD1 and NGFB. The SSC4 QTLs explained up to 12% of F2 phenotypic variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 7 (SSC7) for three informative F2 families, based on Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses, were constructed using 16 marker loci. Maps were consistent for the families, except the order of the markers PI2-PO1A-S0212 in the W × M family which was inverted in the M x P and W x P families. Important quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were localized in the region of the SLA complex in the M x P and W × M families. These explained up to 16% of F2 phenotypic variance for body conformation, fat deposition and muscling. In the W × P family, minor QTLs were mapped outside the SLA region. The highly significant QTL alleles were mainly additive (a > d). The Meishan alleles for QTL located in the SLA region were associated with higher head weights and carcass lengths, but with lower carcass fat contents than those from Wild Boar and Pietrain. The cryptic Meishan QTL allele, which reduces carcass fat, provides one of the first examples of transgressive segregation in animals and emphasizes that usefulgenetic variation can be hidden in the genetic background of a breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 5 (SSC5) were constructed using up to 10 markers in three informative F2 families based on Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses. The map lengths differed among the families. In the M × P family, the MYF5 locus was linkage mapped between SW995 and SW967. Relatively few quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were observed on SSC5 explaining a maximum of 5.8% of phenotypic variance in the F2 generation. The presence and position of QTLs were not consistent among families. The Meishan and Wild Boar QTL allele effects were inferior compared with Pietrain allele effects. The additive effects were small and reasonably strong dominance-effects were observed. QTLs affecting conductivity in the W × M family and food conversion ratio in the M x P family mapped near MYF5, while the QTL affecting conductivity in the M x P family was located near IGF1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extracorporeal photochemotherapy has been proven effective in selected T-cell mediated diseases. Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of extracorporeal photochemotherapy in patients with steroid-dependent Crohn’s disease by an open, monocentric trial in three phases of 24 weeks each. Methods: In phase 1 standardized steroid tapering was initiated in patients with a history of steroid-dependent Crohn’s disease. Those with a prospectively evaluated maintenance dose of at least 10 mg/day prednisolone continued steroid-withdrawal under the application of extracorporeal photochemotherapy in phase 2. The duration of remission or response was followed during phase 3. Colonic tissue bioptically obtained before and after extracorporeal photochemotherapy was studied by immunofluorescence microscopy for the presence of photoadduct positive cells. Results: Out of 24 patients included in phase 1, 10 entered phase 2 for extracorporeal photochemotherapy. Four subjects achieved remission and four others response. Significant reductions in serum C-reactive protein levels and intestinal permeability were measured, as well as increases in quality of life and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone levels. No major side-effects were observed. Remission remained stable in three out of four patients during phase 3. In three patients, positive nuclear stainings of photoadducts were detected in colonic mononuclear cells after extracorporeal photochemotherapy. Conclusions: Extracorporeal photochemotherapy represents a safe steroid-sparing approach in patients with Crohn’s disease and is associated with intestinal homing of photopheresed cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fault detection and identification are new and challenging tasks for electrical generation plants that are based on solid oxide fuel cells. The use of a quantitative model of the plant together with a support vector machine to design and operate a supervised classification system is proposed. This type of system, which uses a few easy‐to‐measure features selected through the maximisation of a classification error bound, proved to be effective in revealing a faulty condition and identifying it among the four considered fault classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]