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Introduction. An analysis was made of posterior crossbites in deciduous dentition and their relation to the type of feeding received by the child, with the objective of determining the influence of the way in which the child is fed in the early stages of life on the development of posterior crossbites. (2) Material and methods. A total of 1401 preschool children between 3 and 6 years of age from Seville (Spain) were included in the study. An intraoral exploration was carried out to assess the presence of crossbites (uni- or bilateral, and functional or not). The study was completed with a parent or legal guardian questionnaire exploring the type of feeding received by the child in the first stages of life, as well as the presence of bad oral habits and their duration. (3) Results. A total of 276 children (19.7%) presented posterior crossbite in occlusion. Uponn centering the midlines, 197 were maintained, indicating that 79 were due to premature contacts (functional crossbites). There were no significant differences in crossbites among the children who had received breastfeeding, though bottle-feeding was seen to favor crossbite. (4) Conclusions. No statistically significant relationship was found between posterior crossbites and breastfeeding, though an association between posterior crossbites and bottle-feeding was observed, with the number of crossbites increasing with the duration of bottle-feeding.

Every work activity generates a potential health problem for workers, but some to a greater extent than others, such as the household solid waste collection process. In this context, this research work evaluated the mechanical, physical and ergonomic risk factors to which EMAC-EP collection personnel are exposed. For each risk, several methodologies were applied with a non-experimental descriptive approach, through on-site observations for the elaboration of matrices based on the Colombian Technical Guide GTC45, application of the Kuorinka Nordic questionnaire, Cornell questionnaire and OWAS methodology for a postural analysis. The results obtained indicate that the mechanical and ergonomic risks present a risk level I and II; requiring "Urgent intervention" and "Correct and adopt control measures immediately". In addition, it was found that the level of risk depends on the zones and sectors; and this is due to the characteristics of each one of them. Likewise, the workers present musculoskeletal discomfort in most of the body segments; being the dorsal/lumbar area, knees, feet, upper back and neck the most relevant; the same that are attributed to forced postures, repetitive movements and overexertion. The postural analysis reflected normal and highrisk postures. Also, a series of conditions and sub-standard acts committed can be established, which can be corrected to minimize risks. Finally, a series of activities that can be performed to minimize the risks mentioned above are proposed.

Growth and fatness traits play a crucial role in pig production. While Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) scans have been used to study experimental crosses between divergent breeds, differential expression analyses using RNA-Seq data from animals with contrasting traits offer additional insights into the underlying genetics and molecular mechanisms. The liver, being vital for metabolic homeostasis and involved in regulating blood sugar levels and processing dietary fats, is likely influential in the variability of these traits. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify genes associated with pig growth and fatness traits through transcriptome analysis of the liver in two different Iberian backcrosses, using RNA-Seq technology. A total of 43 and 59 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in F1 (Iberian x Pietrain) x Pietrain (BC_PI) and F1 (Iberian x Landrace) x Landrace (BC_LD), respectively, between extreme groups for growth and fatness. In BC_PI, DEGs were enriched in biological pathways mainly related to the immune system, while BC_LD showed enrichment in pathways mainly involved in cholesterol metabolism. Although the differences observed in liver were less pronounced than those found in the hypothalamus in previous studies, several promising candidate genes associated with growth and fatness traits were identified. Notably, genes such as PPP1R13B, STK33, CXCL14, ISG20, MRC1, and CYP7A1 emerged as potential targets for selective breeding and genetic improvement in the livestock industry. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the genetic mechanisms underlying growth and fatness traits in pigs. However, further investigations and functional analyses are needed to fully comprehend the complex genetic pathways contributing to these traits.

Gender-specific consequences after HCV eradication are unexplored. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in the immune response against viral infections. However, few have highlighted miRNA role in sex-biased disease or therapy response. We aim to assess gender differences reflected in the miRNA expression of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who achieve sustained virological response (SVR) with direct acting antivirals (DAAs). We conducted a prospective study of miRNA expression in PBMCs from 28 chronic HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (HIV/HCV) at baseline and after achieving SVR with DAAs. Sixteen HIV-monoinfected patients (HIV) and 36 healthy controls (HC) were used as controls. Identification of significant differentially expressed (SDE) miRNAs was performed with generalized linear model and mixed GLMs. We also explored putative dysregulated biological pathways. At baseline, the HIV/HCV patients showed differences in the miRNA profile concerning the HIV group (165 and 102 SDE miRNAs for males and females, respectively). Gender-stratified analysis of HIV/HCV group at baseline versus at SVR achievement showed higher differences in males (80 SDE miRNAs) than in females (55 SDE miRNAs). After SVR, HIV/HCV group showed similar values to HIV individuals, especially in females (1 SDE miRNA). However, ten miRNAs in males remained dysregulated, which were mainly involved in cancer, fatty acid, and inflammatory pathways. Taken together, our results show gender-biased dysregulation in the miRNA expression profile of PBMCs after HCV eradication with DAAs. These differences were normalized in females, while miRNA profile and their target-related pathways in males lack of normalization, which may be related to a high-risk of developing liver-related complications.

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are essential players in HIV and HCV infections, as both viruses modulate cellular miRNAs and interact with the miRNA-mediated host response. We aim to analyze the miRNA profile of HIV patients with different exposure to HCV to explore specific signatures in the miRNA profile of PBMCs for each type of infection. We massively sequenced small RNAs of PBMCs from 117 HIV+ infected patients: 45 HIV+ patients chronically infected with HCV (HIV/HCV+), 36 HIV+ that spontaneously clarified HCV after acute infection (HIV/HCV-) and 36 HIV+ patients without previous HCV infection (HIV). Thirty-two healthy patients were used as healthy controls (HC). Differential expression analysis showed significantly differentially expressed (SDE) miRNAs in HIV/HCV+ (n = 153), HIV/HCV- (n = 169) and HIV (n = 153) patients. We found putative dysregulated pathways, such as infectious-related and PI3K signaling pathways, common in all contrasts. Specifically, putatively targeted genes involved in antifolate resistance (HIV/HV+), cancer-related pathways (HIV/HCV-) and HIF-signaling (HIV) were identified, among others. Our findings revealed that HCV strongly influences the expression profile of PBMCs from HIV patients through the disruption of its miRNome. Thus, different HCV exposure can be identified by specific miRNA signatures in PBMCs.

El objetivo principal del proyecto es la puesta a punto de recursos educativos en abierto (REA) dirigidos a los alumnos de secundaria. La propuesta pretende desarrollar habilidades, para la resolución de problemas científicos, a través de retos que despierten el interés y la imaginación de los alumnos de secundaria. En esta propuesta la resolución de los problemas planteados estaría basada en la aplicación de una herramienta que ha revolucionado la genética y biología, la reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa, conocida como PCR.

Aprender el inglés como segunda lengua es primordial para la vida plena. Aunque lo estamos aprendiendo desde pequeños, podrá ser observado que losdocentes olvidan aspectosmuy importantescomo la fonética. Por ello, hemos detectado las principales causasde la ausencia de fonética en las aulas de Educación Primaria. Una de las dificultadeses la falta de material y recursos. Por este motivo, el objetivoprincipal de este proyecto es la creación de una propuesta educativaque cuenta con numerosas actividades con las que se pueden trabajar la fonética en Primaria., Learning English as a second language is essential for a fulfilling life. However, we are learning it from an early age, it could be noticed that teachers forget very important aspect such as phonetics.For that reason, we have identified the main causes of the phonics’ absence in Primary School classroom. One of the difficulties is the lack of material and resources.For that matter, the main objective of this project is the creation of an educational proposal with many activities to work on phonics during primary school.

Background: Although human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reservoir size is very stable under antiretroviral therapy (ART), individuals exposed to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) (chronically coinfected and spontaneous clarifiers) show an increase in HIV reservoir size and in spliced viral RNA, which could indicate that the viral protein regulator Tat is being more actively synthesized and, thus, could lead to a higher yield of new HIV. However, it is still unknown whether the effect of HCV elimination with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) could modify the HIV reservoir and splicing. Methods: This longitudinal study (48 weeks’ follow-up after sustained virological response) involves 22 HIV+-monoinfected individuals, 17 HIV+/HCV- spontaneous clarifiers, and 24 HIV+/HCV+ chronically infected subjects who eliminated HCV with DAAs (all of them aviremic, viral load < 50). Viral-spliced RNA transcripts and proviral DNA copies were quantified by qPCR. Paired samples were analyzed using a mixed generalized linear model. Results: A decrease in HIV proviral DNA was observed in HIV+/HCV- subjects, but no significant differences were found for the other study groups. An increased production of multiple spliced transcripts was found in HIV+ and HIV+/HCV+ individuals. Conclusions: We conclude that elimination of HCV by DAAs was unable to revert the consequences derived from chronic HCV infection for the reservoir size and viral splicing, which could indicate an increased risk of rapid HIV-reservoir reactivation. Moreover, spontaneous clarifiers showed a significant decrease in the HIV reservoir, likely due to an enhanced immune response in these individuals.

The dodders (Cuscuta spp.) are parasitic plants that feed on the stems of their host plants. Cuscuta campestris is one of the most damaging parasitic plants for the worldwide agricultural production of broad-leaved crops. Its control is limited or non-existent, therefore resistance breeding is the best alternative both economically and environmentally. Common vetch (Vicia sativa) and bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia) are highly susceptible to C. campestris, but no resistant genotypes have been identified. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify in V. sativa and V.ervilia germplasm collections genotypes resistant to C. campestris infection for use in combating this parasitic plant. Three greenhouse screening were conducted to: (1) identify resistant responses in a collection of 154 accessions of bitter vetch and a collection of 135 accessions of common vetch genotypes against infection of C. campestris; (2) confirm the resistant response identified in common vetch accessions; and (3) characterize the effect of C. campestris infection on biomass of V. sativa resistant and susceptible accessions. Most common vetch and bitter vetch genotypes tested were susceptible to C. campestris. However, the V. sativa genotype Vs.1 exhibited high resistance. The resistant phenotype was characterized by a delay in the development of C. campestris posthaustorial growth and a darkening resembling a hypersensitive-like response at the penetration site. The resistant mechanism was effective in limiting the growth of C. campestris as the ratio of parasite/host shoot dry biomass was more significantly reduced than the rest of the accessions. To the best or our knowledge, this is the first identification of Cuscuta resistance in V. sativa genotypes.

Selection programs are not frequent in the extensive Iberian porcine sector. The traditional company of Iberian pig products located in Jabugo (Sierra de Huelva), Sánchez Romero Carvajal (SRC), with the collaboration and assessment of the Animal Breeding Department of INIA, is making since the year 2012 an unusual effort to develop and implement a breeding selection scheme focused on the Iberian purebred products labelled as Bellota. The animals involved in this program belong to one herd which is placed in two different farms, Montecastilla and Tejarejo (La Granada de Riotinto). 1,205 animals of known pedigree were controlled for selection of growth, body composition, meat and fat quality traits. The main registered traits were average daily gain in montanera, slaughter and carcass weight and weight of premium cuts (ham, shoulders and loins). Besides, backfat fatty acid profile and quality traits as intramuscular fat percentage, color, thawing and cooking water loss and shear force were measured in loin as quality traits. Breeding values for these traits were estimated using an Animal model. Genetic predictions for maternal traits (number of piglets born alive and litter weight at weaning) were performed also using Animal models. Data from 5,134 litters born in 88 batches of 1456 dams and 22 sires were used. This information allowed estimating heritability and genetic correlation as well as to build a combined index for each trait weighting the breeding values by their corresponding economic values. In addition to this, molecular genetic studies on some of the traits cited above are also being implemented. These studies will allow increasing the efficiency of the conventional selection program in the future.

There is a growing interest in understanding the role of the gut microbiome on productive and meat quality-related traits in livestock species in order to develop new useful tools for improving pig production systems and industry. Faecal samples are analysed as a proxy of gut microbiota and here the selection of suitable protocols for faecal sampling and DNA isolation is a critical first step in order to obtain reliable results, even more to compare results obtained from different studies. The aim of the current study was to establish in a cost-effective way, using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis technique, a protocol for porcine faecal sampling and storage at farm and slaughterhouse and to determine the most efficient microbiota DNA isolation kit among those most widely used. Operational Taxonomic Unit profiles were compared from Iberian pig faecal samples collected from rectum or ground, stored with liquid N2, room temperature or RNAlater, and processed with QIAamp DNA Stool (Qiagen), PowerFecal DNA Isolation (Mobio) or SpeedTools Tissue DNA extraction (Biotools) commercial kits. The results, focused on prokaryote sampling, based on DNA yield and quality, OTU number and Sørensen similarity Indexes, indicate that the recommended protocol for porcine faecal microbiome sampling at farm should include: the collection from porcine rectum to avoid contamination; the storage in liquid N2 or even at room temperature, but not in RNAlater; and the isolation of microbiota DNA using PowerFecal DNA Isolation kit. These conditions provide more reliable DNA samples for further microbiome analysis.

The aim of this work was to analyse the distribution of causal and candidate mutations associated to relevant productive traits in twenty local European pig breeds. Also, the potential of the SNP panel employed for elucidating the genetic structure and relationships among breeds was evaluated. Most relevant genes and mutations associated with pig morphological, productive, meat quality, reproductive and disease resistance traits were prioritized and analyzed in a maximum of 47 blood samples from each of the breeds (Alentejana, Apulo-Calabrese, Basque, Bísara, Majorcan Black, Black Slavonian (Crna slavonska), Casertana, Cinta Senese, Gascon, Iberian, Krškopolje (Krškopoljski), Lithuanian indigenous wattle, Lithuanian White Old Type, Mora Romagnola, Moravka, Nero Siciliano, Sarda, Schwäbisch-Hällisches Schwein (Swabian Hall pig), Swallow-Bellied Mangalitsa and Turopolje). We successfully analyzed allelic variation in 39 polymorphisms, located in 33 candidate genes. Results provide relevant information regarding genetic diversity and segregation of SNPs associated to production and quality traits. Coat color and morphological trait-genes that show low level of segregation, and fixed SNPs may be useful for traceability. On the other hand, we detected SNPs which may be useful for association studies as well as breeding programs. For instance, we observed predominance of alleles that might be unfavorable for disease resistance and boar taint in most breeds and segregation of many alleles involved in meat quality, fatness and growth traits. Overall, these findings provide a detailed catalogue of segregating candidate SNPs in 20 European local pig breeds that may be useful for traceability purposes, for association studies and for breeding schemes. Population genetic analyses based on these candidate genes are able to uncover some clues regarding the hidden genetic substructure of these populations, as the extreme genetic closeness between Iberian and Alentejana breeds and

Endometrial cell co-culture (ECC) with single embryo may reflect endometrium responses in vivo. Bovine Day-6 in vitro-produced morulae were cultured until Day-8 in modified synthetic oviductal fluid (mSOF), or on the epithelial side of ECC. Expression of epithelial- and stromal-cell transcripts was analyzed by RT-PCR in ECC with one male (ME) or female embryo (FE). Concentrations of ARTEMIN (ARTN) and total protein were determined in epithelial cell-conditioned medium. ECCs yielded embryos with more cells in the inner cell mass than embryos cultured in mSOF. Embryos altered transcript expression only in epithelial cells, not in stromal ones. Thus, ME induced larger reductions than FE and controls (i.e., no embryos cultured) in hexose transporter solute carrier family 2 member 1 (SLC2A1) and member 5 (SLC2A5), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), artemin (ARTN), and interferon alpha and beta receptors subunit IFNAR1 and IFNAR2. FE reduced SLC2A1 and SLC2A5, and increased ARTN expression with respect to controls. ME tended to reduce total protein concentration (P < 0.082) in ECC-conditioned medium, while ARTN protein and gene expressions strongly correlated (R > 0.90; P < 0.05) in the group of ME or FE, but not in controls (without embryo). Isolated male and female embryos may differentially release signaling factors that induce sexually dimorphic responses in endometrial cells.

One of the major limitation for the application of QTL results in pig breeding and QTN identification has been the limited number of QTL effects validated in different animal material. The aim of the current work was to validate QTL regions through joint and specific genome wide association and haplotype analyses for growth, fatness and premier cut weights in three different genetic backgrounds, backcrosses based on Iberian pigs, which has a major role in the analysis due to its high productive relevance. The results revealed nine common QTL regions, three segregating in all three backcrosses on SSC1, 0-3 Mb, for body weight, on SSC2, 3-9 Mb, for loin bone-in weight, and on SSC7, 3 Mb, for shoulder weight, and six segregating in two of the three backcrosses, on SSC2, SSC4, SSC6 and SSC10 for backfat thickness, shoulder and ham weights. Besides, 18 QTL regions were specifically identified in one of the three backcrosses, five identified only in BC_LD, seven in BC_DU and six in BC_PI. Beyond identifying and validating QTL, candidate genes and gene variants within the most interesting regions have been explored using functional annotation, gene expression data and SNP identification from RNA-Seq data. The results allowed us to propose a promising list of candidate mutations, those identified in PDE10A, DHCR7, MFN2 and CCNY genes located within the common QTL regions and those identified near ssc-mir-103-1 considered PANK3 regulators to be further analysed.

The commercialization of Iberian meat and dry-cured products is regulated by the Spanish law. A first decree approved on 2007 (Real Decreto 1469/2007) established that Iberian products designated as “Iberian” have to come from pigs with at least a 50% of their genome from Iberian breed and the remaining percentage from Duroc. This decree was modified on 2014 (Real Decreto 4/2014) and it requires that, to be labelled as “100% Iberian”, products must come from purebred pigs and maintains the previous regulation about “Iberian” label. A traceability SNP chip containing 64 SNPs was developed by the Pig Breeding and Genetics Group of INIA. It allows discriminating between the proportion of Iberian and Duroc genomes of an individual. The objective of this study was to check if the dry-cured products (hams and shoulders) sold as “Iberian” by some of the major distributors of Iberian products at main Spanish supermarkets follow the law. One hundred and sixteen samples of dry-cured ham and shoulder sliced packs commercialized as “Iberian” were genotyped with the chip. The genotyping data was analysed using BAPS 5.3. A percentage of Iberian genome lower than 40% was estimated for 34.5% of the samples, which do not follow the regulation of genetic origin. It is worth to note that five of the 116 samples were 100% Duroc. None of the suppliers included in the study met the law strictly. These results show that, in general, the Quality Standard has not been obeyed for a long time. A future new sampling will show if the stricter controls of the animals set by the 2014 law has been useful to improve the legal compliance.

La competencia actual en el mercado de la moda es abrumadora. Por ello, es muy importante que las marcas se renueven constantemente, y se mantengan bien posicionadas. Esta renovación debe ser palpable en su comunicación, su distribución… es decir, todo lo que define a una marca. Como hablaremos en la justifi cación, el mundo comercial está cambiando en la forma de comunicar y distribuir. Por eso, hemos querido replantear la forma de acercarse a los consumidores de la marca Custo Barcelona, desde el nivel comunicativo y el de la distribución.Para comenzar este proyecto, investigamos sobre lo que se debe de tener en cuenta para crear un espacio comercial: imagen e identidad corporativa, técnicas de merchandising… Seguidamente hicimos un estudio exhaustivo de la marca Custo Barcelona. Este se centró en entender las creaciones del diseñador y su bagaje como marca de fama internacional. En esta parte del estudio, pudimos ver que es una marca caracterizada por sus estampados, pero sobre todo, por arriesgar y crecer en cada desfi le. También descubrimos en este estudio, que la comunicación actual de Custo se centraba en ir a todos los desfi les y comunicarlo en medios propios como son las redes sociales. Otra punto importante que vimo que habia que destacar, son los clientes potenciales de la marca. Estos son muy particulares; tienen una forma de ser muy llamativa y juvenil. Es decir, cualquiera no quiere y puede vestir de Custo, es una forma de ser, es una fi losofía de vida. Como conclusión optamos por tener de concepto creativo la Custofi losofi a. Un concepto que nos abrió la mente de lo que el consumidor buscaba con la marca, sentirse único. La estrategia se centró en multiplicar la sensación de lo que es vestir Custo. A través de un espacio comercial. En este espacio, el cliente sentiría en todo momento lo que es la innovación, arriesgarse y llamarla atención. Cuando planteamos la propuesta de mostrar la Custofi losofi a, decidimos ir más allá y buscamos la inspiración en la

During the last years, the high growth of the livestock production sector has caused a high demand of raw material in order to feed the animals. Th is higher demand has environmental consequences and a more sustainable strategy is required for livestock production. Some agro-industrial by-products such as olive cake may be benefi cially used without a decrease in production traits. Here, we studied the eff ect of three diff erent dietary regimens given to Iberian pigs in growing period (42 kg to 95 kg) on several growth and slaughter traits. A control standard diet group (CD) was compared with two diets based on olive by-products, one incorporating dry olive pulp in the feed (DD), and the other one incorporating olive cake in wet form (WD). Th is last one consisted of olive cake in a silage presentation off ered ad libitum and supplemented with a specifi c feed given once a day in a restricted regimen as the CD and DD diets. A signifi cantly higher average daily gain during the growing period was observed for WD diet compared with DD diet. However, this was compensated with a higher average daily gain of DD pigs during the fattening period (acorn and grass). Carcass yield was lower in DD than CD and WD pigs, but no signifi cant diff erences were observed for premium cut yields, which are more important for the Iberian industry. Th erefore, the diets based on olive cake does not seem to alter the growth and slaughter traits studied, however, before its implementation in feeds used for the growing period, further studies analyzing their eff ects on meat quality and production costs should be carried out.

Data of 127,800 Iberian piglets were used to study genetic parameters of mortality at birth at the piglet level. These records proceed from three data sets 4,987 litter of 2,156 sows of a dam line, 2,768 litter of 817 sows of a complete diallel cross between four Iberian strains and 7,153 litter of 2,113 sows of the Torbiscal composite line. Perinatal mortality was considered as a binary trait, and Bayesian threshold animal models were fitted to separately analyse the three data sets. The posterior means of direct heritability were 0.010, 0.004 and 0.003, and those of maternal heritability were 0.034, 0.011 and 0.014 for dam line, diallel cross and Torbiscal line, respectively. Important effects of litter size and parity order were inferred in the three data sets, of within-breed cross-breeding parameters in the diallel cross and of sex and sow handling in the Torbiscal line Therefore, the inclusion of perinatal mortality in the objective of selection is questionable in this breed and strategies for reducing piglet mortality successful in other breeds should be considered. © 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH

Artemin a member of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family is present in mice and human preimplantation embryos, and reproductive tract, during early pregnancy promoting embryo development in vitro. The presence of artemin in cattle embryos and reproductive tract, however, is unknown. In the present work we identified for first time artemin in bovine uterine fluid (UF) (Western blot), endometrium (RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry) and embryos (RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry) during early preimplantation development. In addition, GFRalpha3, a component of the artemin receptor was localized in blastocysts produced in vitro. Individually developing embryos released ARTEMIN in culture medium and triggered ARTEMIN mRNA down-regulation in epithelial cells from endometrial cell cultures. Our results suggest that ARTEMIN derived from early embryos and maternal reproductive tract may exert important roles during early development in cattle. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.

In cattle, individual in vitro embryo culture after Day 6 benefits development, allowing non-invasive analysis of culture medium. However, undefined supplements in culture reduce analytical reliability. In this study we assayed the short- and long-term performance of embryos after bovine serum albumin removal over a 24-h period in individual culture. The absence of protein decreased embryo development and cell counts in the inner cell mass without affecting blastocyst sex ratio. However, the absence of protein produced embryos with an improved tendency to survive vitrification after 24h in culture (P≤0.07). After transfer to recipients, birth rates of embryos that had been cultured with protein tended to decrease (P<0.06) mostly as a result of a higher number of miscarriages (P<0.013), reflecting lower viability. Birthweight, gestation length, height and thorax circumference did not differ between embryos cultured with or without protein. In fresh blastocysts cultured without protein, gene expression analysis showed higher abundance (P<0.05) of insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R; imprinting) and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and DNA-damage-inducible transcript 3 (DDIT3; endoplasmic reticulum stress) transcripts, with DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A; imprinting) tending to increase (P≤0.062). However, in hatched blastocysts that survived cryopreservation, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) was overexpressed in embryos cultured without protein (P<0.01). The absence of protein results in fewer blastocysts but improved long-term viability after cryopreservation. © 2017 CSIRO.

Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) is present in the endometrium of cows and other mammals. Recombinant HDGF (rHDGF) improves bovine blastocyst development in vitro. However, specific culture conditions and essential aspects of HDGF uterine physiology are yet unknown. In this work we quantified total HDGF protein in uterine fluid (UF) by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), and analyzed effects of rHDGF on specific embryonic stages with Day-6 bovine embryos cultured in vitro with and without BSA, and on pregnancy viability and calf phenotypes after embryo transfer to recipients. In addition, mRNA abundance of HDGF in endometrial cells co-cultured with one male or one female embryo was quantified. In the presence of BSA, rHDGF had no effect on blastocyst development; however, in BSA-free culture rHDGF mainly promoted development of early blastocysts in contrast with morulae. As the presence of HDGF contained in commercial BSA replacements was suspected, western blot confirmed HDGF identification in BSA both with and without fatty acids. Total HDGF quantified by MRM tended to increase in UF without vs. UF with embryos (P = 0.083). Pregnancy and birth rates, birth weight and calf measurements did not differ between embryos cultured with rHDGF and controls without rHDGF. However, HDGF abundance in cultured epithelial, endometrial cells tended to increase (P < 0.08) in culture with one male embryo. rHDGF acts selectively on specific embryonic stages, but care should be taken with specific macromolecular supplements in culture. The endometrial expression of HDGF can be regulated by the embryonic sex. The use of rHDGF is compatible with pregnancy and birth of normal calves.

Background Linkage maps are essential tools for the study of several topics in genome biology. High density linkage maps for the porcine autosomes have been constructed exploiting the high density data provided by the PorcineSNP60 BeadChip. However, a high density SSCX linkage map has not been reported up to date. The aim of the current study was to build an accurate linkage map of SSCX to provide precise estimates of recombination rates along this chromosome and creating a new tool for QTL fine mapping. Results A female-specific high density linkage map was built for SSCX using Sscrofa10.2 annotation. The total length of this chromosome was 84.61 cM; although the average recombination rate was 0.60 cM/Mb, both cold and hot recombination regions were identified. A Bayesian probabilistic to genetic groups and revealed that the animals used in the current study for linkage map construction were likely to be carriers of X chromosomes of European origin. Finally, the newly generated linkage map was used to fine-map a QTL at 16 cM for intramuscular fat content (IMF) measured on longissimus dorsi. The sulfatase isozyme S gene constitutes a functional and positional candidate gene underlying the QTL effect. Conclusions The current study presents for the first time a high density linkage map for SSCX and supports the presence of cold and hot recombination intervals along this chromosome. The large cold recombination region in the central segment of the chromosome is not likely to be due to structural differences between X chromosomes of European and Asian origin. In addition, the newly generated linkage map has allowed us to fine-map a QTL on SSCX for fat deposition. � 2014 Fernandez et al.

KIT mutations have been detected in different cancer subtypes, including melanoma. The gene also has been extensively studied in farm animals for its prominent role in coat color. The present work aimed at detecting KIT variants in a porcine model of cutaneous melanoma, the melanoblastoma-bearing Libechov Minipig (MeLiM). By sequencing exons and intron borders, 36 SNPs and one indel were identified. Of 10 coding SNPs, three were non-synonymous mutations, likely to affect the protein conformation. A promising variant, located in exon 19 (p.Val870Ala), was genotyped in a MeLiM × Duroc cross, and an association analysis was conducted on several melanoma-related traits. This variant showed a significant association with melanoma development, tumor ulceration and cutaneous invasion. In conclusion, although the KIT gene would not be a major causal gene for melanoma development in pig, its genetic variation could be influencing this trait. © 2014 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.

Genotype by environment interaction (G×E) is a potential source of reduced efficiency in genetic improvement programs in livestock. The objective of the current work consisted of checking the existence of G×E interaction in carcass traits and in intramuscular fat content (IMF) in Iberian pigs fattened in two free-range systems. Genetic component and estimated breeding values (EBV) of the percentage of hams, shoulders and loins and IMF in loin were obtained from records of 4,348 and 1,818 pigs fattened in campo (C) and montanera (M) systems, respectively. A multitrait model where the performances of each system are considered as different traits was implemented. Three selection indexes were built with different treatments about the quality trait, two of them based in the optimal trait theory. The Pearson correlation between EBV and indexes and the Spearman correlation between the rankings of progenies of 21 boars fattened in both systems were calculated. Heritability results were different in both systems (h2 range from 0.43 to 0.66 and from 0.24 to 0.33 in C and M system, respectively) and genetic correlation of same traits expressed in the two systems also pointed out to a weak G×E interaction (0.64, 0.67 and 0.66 in hams, shoulders and IMF, respectively). Pearson and Spearman correlations were always significantly different to 1. The obtained results advised to consider this G×E interaction in the analysis model of a breeding program focused on free range production system and to include IMF in the index selection assuming an optimum range for this quality trait, in order to avoid negative effects of selection for carcass performances.

Background Fat content and fatty acid composition in swine are becoming increasingly studied because of their effect on sensory and nutritional quality of meat. A QTL (quantitative trait locus) for fatty acid composition in backfat was previously detected on porcine chromosome 8 (SSC8) in an Iberian x Landrace F2 intercross. More recently, a genome-wide association study detected the same genomic region for muscle fatty acid composition in an Iberian x Landrace backcross population. ELOVL6, a strong positional candidate gene for this QTL, contains a polymorphism in its promoter region (ELOVL6c.-533C < T), which is associated with percentage of palmitic and palmitoleic acids in muscle and adipose tissues. Here, a combination of single-marker association and the haplotype-based approach was used to analyze backfat fatty acid composition in 470 animals of an Iberian x Landrace F2 intercross genotyped with 144 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) distributed along SSC8. Results Two trait-associated SNP regions were identified at 93 Mb and 119 Mb on SSC8. The strongest statistical signals of both regions were observed for palmitoleic acid (C161(n-7)) content and C180/C160 and C181(n-7)/C16:1(n-7) elongation ratios. MAML3 and SETD7 are positional candidate genes in the 93 Mb region and two novel microsatellites in MAML3 and nine SNPs in SETD7 were identified. No significant association for the MAML3 microsatellite genotypes was detected. The SETD7:c.700G > T SNP, although statistically significant, was not the strongest signal in this region. In addition, the expression of MAML3 and SETD7 in liver and adipose tissue varied among animals, but no association was detected with the polymorphisms in these genes. In the 119 Mb region, the ELOVL6:c.-533C > T polymorphism showed a strong association with percentage of palmitic and palmitoleic fatty acids and elongation ratios in backfat. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the polymorphisms studied in MAML3 and SETD7

Por ello, con objeto de conocer la prevalencia y los índices de caries en una población de niños VIH (+) nacidos de madres VIH (+) y poder establecer un protocolo de prevención, hemos realizado el presente trabajo de Tesis Doctoral, en el que, no solo ana