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Six divergent cotton genotypes were crossed in un-constructed to be 15 F1 crosses then, F2 were obtained. All genotypes were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Genetic parameters of natural performance of genes were estimated by Hayman method (1954) for characters of Boll weight (B.W.), Seed cotton yield (S.C.Y.), Lint yield (L.Y.), Seed index (S.I.), Lint percentage (L. %), Lint index (L.I.) and oil%. The result showed that additive and dominance variance H1 and H2 values were significant for all traits, and the additive values were less from dominant values, that refers to the importance of dominance variance in its inheritance. Also, the H2 values were less than H1 which recorded that the allelic frequencies were not equal. The overall dominance effects of heterozygous loci (h² ) were significant for all traits in both generations, indicating that the dominance was due to heterozygosity and was unidirectional with appreciable heterotic effect. The proportion of dominant to recessive gene in parents KD/KR were more than unity for most studied traits. The average degree of dominance (H1/D)0.5 exceeded unity for all studied traits in both generations, indicating that presence of over dominance for these traits. High values for heritability in broad sense were obtained for all traits, revealing that most phenotypic variability in each trait was due to genetic causes. High heritability values in broad sense along with medium or low ones in narrow sense were exhibited in both generations, indicating that most genetic variances were due to non-additive genetic effects. The regression line passed through the origin in boll weight in generations, seed index, lint percentage and oil% in F1, revealed a presence of complete dominance. Meanwhile, it intersects the Wr axis above the origin in lint yield and oil% in F2, reflecting partial dominance. The P4, p2, P2, P5, P5, P2 and P5 in F1, P4, P2, P1, P5, P6, P3 and P6 in F2 for B.W., S.C.Y., L.Y., S.I., L. %, L.I and oil%, respectively seemed to have the highest number of dominant genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterosis and gene action on oil%, and yield traits were determined in a 6x6 diallel cross of cotton without reciprocals and their F2 generation to define and select an efficient and prospective material for immediate use in hybridization programs to improve seed yield of cotton in Egypt. Parents, F1 and F2 were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates for yield traits in 2021 season. High significant mean squares for genotype, parents and crosses were showed for the studied traits in both generations. Significant heterosis in F1 generation was obtained for all studied traits. The desirable heterosis of relative to better parent varied from 5.36 to 25.29, 5.92 to 33, 2.3 to 5.89 and 1.14 to 7.38 in F1 generation for seed cotton yield, lint yield, seed index and oil%, respectively. The cross P2xP3 was the best cross for all studied traits heterosis. Mean squares for general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability were significant for all studied traits. MS (GCA)/ MS (SCA) ratios displays the relative importance of additive and additive by additive gene action effects in their inheritance for seed cotton yield, lint yield, seed index and lint percentage in F1 generation and seed cotton yield and lint yield in F2 generation. P1 exhibited significant desirable ĝi effect among all the tested parents for lint percentage, lint index and oil% in F1 and seed cotton yield, lint yield and oil % in F2. The cross P2xP3 showed significantly desirable SCA effects for most studied traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A supplement which ameliorates temperature-humidity menace in food producing livestock is a prerequisite to develop climate smart agricultural packages. A study was conducted to investigate the heat stress ameliorative efficacy of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) in male Murrah water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Eighteen animals (293.61 ± 4.66Kg Bwt) were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 6); NHSC (non-heat-stressed control), HS (heat-stressed) and HSLA (heat-stressed-supplemented with ALA@32 mg/kg Bwt orally) based on the temperature humidity index (THI) and ALA supplementation. HS and HSLA were exposed to simulated heat challenge in a climatically controlled chamber (40 °C) for 21 consecutive days, 6 h daily. Physiological responses viz. Respiration rate (RR), Pulse rate (PR) and Rectal temperature (RT) were recorded daily before and after heat exposure. Blood samples were collected at the end of heat exposure on days 1, 6, 11, 16, and 21 and on day 28 (7th day post exposure which is considered as recovery) for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) separation, followed by RNA and Protein extraction for Real time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis respectively, of heat shock proteins (HSPs). Two-way repeated measure ANOVA was performed between groups at different experimental periods. RR (post exposure) in HS and HSLA was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than NHSC from day 1 onwards but HSLA varied significantly from the HS 8th day onwards. Post exposure RT and PR in both HS and HSLA varied (P < 0.05) from NHSC throughout the study; but between HS and HSLA, RT significantly varied on initial 2 days and last 6 days (from days 16 to 21). HSP70 mRNA expression significantly up regulated in high THI groups with respect to the low THI group throughout the experimental period. During chronic stress (days 16 and 21) HSP70 significantly (P < 0.05) increased in HS but not in HSLA (P > 0.05) with respect to NHSC. ALA supplementation up-regulates and sustains (P < 0.05) the expression of HSP90 in HSLA in comparison to the HS and NHSC. HSP105 expression was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05) in HS on days 16 and 21 (during long-term exposure) but only on day 21 (P < 0.05) in HSLA. HSP70, HSP90, and HSP105 protein expression dynamics were akin to the mRNA transcript data between the study groups. In conclusion, supplementing ALA ameliorates the deleterious effect of heat stress as reflected by improved physiological and cellular responses. ALA supplementation improved cellular antioxidant status and sustained otherwise easily decaying heat shock responses which concertedly hasten the baton change from a limited window of thermo tolerance to long run acclimatization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of different somatic cell types and media in supporting in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and early embryonic development competence of buffalo follicular oocytes. Cumulus oocyte complexes were collected for maturation from follicles (>6mm) of buffalo ovaries collected at the local abattoir. Oocytes were co-cultured in tissue culture medium (TCM-199) with either granulosa cells, cumulus cells, or buffalo oviductal epithelial 6 cells (BOEC) @ 3x106 cells/ml or in TCM-199 without helper cells (control) at 39°C and 5% CO2 in humidified air. Fresh semen was prepared in modified Ca++ free Tyrode medium. Fertilization was carried out in four types of media: i) Tyrode lactate albumin pyruvate (TALP), ii) TALP+BOEC, iii) modified Ca++ free Tyrode and iv) modified Ca free Tyrode+BOEC. Fertilized oocytes were cultured for early embryonic development in TCM-199 with and without BOEC. Higher maturation rates were observed in the granulosa (84.24%) and cumulus cells (83.44%) than BOEC co culture system (73.37%). Highest fertilization rate was obtained in modified Ca++ free Tyrode with BOEC co culture (70.42%), followed by modified Ca free Tyrode alone (63.77%), TALP with BOEC (36.92%) and TALP alone (10.94%). Development of early embryos (8-cell stage) improved in TCM- 199 with BOEC co culture than TCM-199 alone. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that addition of somatic cells (granulosa cells, cumulus cells) results in higher maturation rates of buffalo follicular oocytes than BOEC co culture system, while fertilization rate improved in modified Ca++ free Tyrode with and without BOEC. Addition of BOEC to TCM-199 improved the developmental capacity of early embryo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholistan, once a green and prosperous land with the source of water being the ancient Hakra River, was also the cradle of great Hakra Valley Civilization. It is sprawled at an area of 26,000 Km2, located between the latitudes 27°42'and 29°45' North and longitudes 69°52' and 75°24' East. The bioclimatic system of Cholistan falls under the category of "tropical desert" with very scanty rainfall. Geomorphologically, the soils of Cholistan are a complex blend of river alluvium and Aeolin sands. Based on topography, type of soil and vegetation, this desert is divided into two geomorphic regions: the Lesser Cholistan (the Northern 7,770 Km2 region) and the Greater Cholistan (the Southern 18,130 Km2 region). The primary source of water is rainfall which is utilized through natural depressions or man-made ponds called "Tobas" and "Dahars." The secondary source is underground water which is brackish and salty and not fit for human/animal consumption. Two livestock production systems prevail under pastoralism in Cholistan viz. transhumanie and nomadic. Despite an uncertain, unpredictable rainfall, low humidity and extremes in temperatures, Cholistan has long been famous for raising different breeds of livestock, contributing a significant share to national milk, meat and wool output. The total livestock population estimated during 2006 was 12,09528, out of which 47% were cattle. Cholistani cattle are considered to be ancestor of the Sahiwal and are a thermo-tolerant, tick-resistant breed. Preliminary data on some productive and reproductive traits of Cholistani cows maintained at Govt. Livestock Station, Jugait Peer, Bahawalpur during the period 2005 to 2009 revealed the avergae values for the productive traits i.e. lactation length, lactation yield, dry period, service period and fat percentage in milk as 165 days, 1235 liters, 155 days, 121 days and 4.8%, respectively. Similarly, the average values for reproductive traits i.e. age at maturity, age at first calving, gestation period and calving interval were 1112, 1390, 278 and 422 days, respectively, which are at par with those of Sahiwal and Red Sindhi cattle. However, comprehensive data supported by research need to be analyzed to manipulate the potentials of this breed. Furthermore, gene mapping and Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) will open up new horizons to study performance traits of Cholistani cattle in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular pathways are a part of a remarkable hierarchy of regulatory networks that operate at all levels of organisation. These regulatory networks are responsible for much of the biological complexity within the cell. The dynamic character of these pathways and the prevalence of feedback regulation strategies in their operation make them amenable to systematic mathematical analysis using the same tools that have been used with success in analysing and designing engineering control systems. In this article, we aim at establishing this strong connection through various examples where the behaviour exhibited by gene networks is explained in terms of their underlying control strategies. We complement our analysis by a survey of mathematical techniques commonly used to model gene regulatory networks and analyse their dynamic behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular biology studies the cause-and-effect relationships among microscopic processes initiated by individual molecules within a cell and observes their macroscopic phenotypic effects on cells and organisms. These studies provide a wealth of information about the underlying networks and pathways responsible for the basic functionality and robustness of biological systems. At the same time, these studies create exciting opportunities for the development of quantitative and predictive models that connect the mechanism to its phenotype then examine various modular structures and the range of their dynamical behavior. The use of such models enables a deeper understanding of the design principles underlying biological organization and makes their reverse engineering and manipulation both possible and tractable The heat shock response presents an interesting mechanism where such an endeavor is possible. Using a model of heat shock, we extract the design motifs in the system and justify their existence in terms of various performance objectives. We also offer a modular decomposition that parallels that of traditional engineering control architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium is tightly regulated in mammals because of the critical role of calcium ion concentrations in many physiological functions. In this work, we develop a model for calcium homeostasis and identify integral feedback control as a functional module that maintains this homeostasis. We argue that maintaining calcium concentrations in a narrow range and perfect adaptation seen when the calcium homeostatic mechanism is subjected to extreme disturbances are the result of a feedback control system implementing integral control through specific interactions of the regulating hormones. Based on the constraints imposed by the suggested integral control, we arrive at a simple dynamical model for calcium homeostasis. We show that the model is biologically plausible and is consistent with known physiology. Furthermore, the utility of the integral-feedback model is revealed by examining an extreme calcium perturbation, parturient paresis in dairy cows. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ectoparasitism has a damaging impact on the economy of goat production in India, but the factors influencing its distribution and dynamics are less explored. The present study was designed to investigate the influence of environmental factors like weather and air quality parameters on the occurrence of different types of ectoparasites in goats of two agro-climatic regions of India, viz. the Upper Gangetic Plain (UGP) and the Western Himalayas (WH). The prevalence survey for ectoparasitism among goats was conducted during the four distinct climatic seasons (winter, summer, monsoon, autumn) in both regions. The season-wise data of weather parameters (maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity in morning and evening, sunrise and sunset time, mean daily temperature and relative humidity, daily variation in temperature and relative humidity, and day length) and air quality parameters (air quality index (AQI), particulate matter 2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matter 10 μm (PM10)) of both regions were analyzed in relation with the ectoparasitic prevalence pattern of corresponding regions. The results depict a noticeable correlation between the studied parameters and seasonal variation in the occurrence of each type of ectoparasites. This outcome on the interaction of studied parameters and ectoparasitism is intriguing and it opens a huge scope for future studies on the biometeorological aspects of host-parasite ecological interplay and evolutionary biology. The better understanding of climatological aspects of ectoparasite occurrences helps goat farmers in formulating appropriate timely intervention strategies for the economic control of ectoparasites, which in turn tackles ectoparasiticidal drug resistance and reduces threat of vector-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canola oil and vitamin A were evaluated for their effects on egg characteristics, egg cholesterol and egg triglycerides (TG) in laying hens prone to heat-stress during summer months. Four levels of canola oil (0, 2, 3 and 4% of diet) in combination with two levels of vitamin A (3,000 or 10,000 IU/kg of diet) were fed to laying hens for a period of 12 weeks. Various egg-quality parameters were measured on weekly basis while, serum TG, egg cholesterol and TG contents were analyzed during the last week of the trial. The results of the study showed that the egg weight, egg mass, yolk weight, Haugh unit score, shell thickness, shell weight and egg breaking- strength were similar (P>0.05) for all canola oil levels supplemented to the laying hens. Higher egg weight and egg mass (P<0.05) were noted for the hens at the diet with 10,000 IU vitamin A /kg of diet whereas, all other egg characteristics were not influenced by increasing the supplemental level of vitamin A. Serum TG, egg cholesterol and TG contents were not changed (P>0.05) by increasing canola oil or vitamin A levels in the diet of laying hens. It might be concluded from the results of the present study that canola oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids can be included in the diet of laying hens without compromising the quality characteristics of the eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]