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O' Connor E, McGovern FM, Berry DP, Dunne E, McEwan JC, Rowe SJ, Boland TM, Morrison SJ, Aubry A, Yan T, McHugh N. Comparison of greenhouse gas emissions from sheep measured using both respiration and portable accumulation chambers. Animal 2024; 18:101140. [PMID: 38626708 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Methane (CH4) is a potent gas produced by ruminants, and new measurement techniques are required to generate large datasets suitable for genetic analysis. One such technique are portable accumulation chambers (PAC), a short-term sampling method. The objectives of the current study were to explore the relationship between CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2) output measured using both PAC and respiration chambers (RC) in growing lambs, and separately investigate the relationship among CH4, CO2 and measured ad libitum DM intake (DMI). Methane, CO2 and DMI were measured on 30 Suffolk and 30 Texel ewe lambs (age 253 ± 12 days) using the RC and PAC sequentially. The experiment was conducted over a 14-day period, with DMI measured from days 1 to 14; measurements in RC were conducted from days 10 to 12, while measurements in PAC were taken twice, the day immediately prior to the lambs entering the RC (day 9; PAC Pre-RC) and on the day lambs exited the RC (day 13; PAC Post-RC). Greater CH4 and CO2 output was measured in the RC than in the PAC (P < 0.01); similarly mean CH4 yield was greater when measured in the RC (15.39 ± 0.452 g CH4/kg DMI) compared to PAC (8.01 ± 0.767 g CH4/kg DMI). A moderate correlation of 0.37 was found between CH4 output measured in PAC Pre-RC and the RC, the corresponding regression coefficient of CH4 output measured in the RC regressed on CH4 output measured in PAC Pre-RC was close to unity (0.74; SE 0.224). The variance of CH4 and CO2 output within the measurement technique did not differ from each other (P > 0.05). Moderate to strong correlations were found between CH4 and CO2 per kg of live weight and CH4 and CO2 yield. Results from this study highlight the suitability of PAC as a ranking tool to rank animals based on their gaseous output when compared to the RC. However, repeated measurements separated by several days may be beneficial if precise rankings are required. Given the close to unity regression coefficient of CH4 output measured in the RC regressed on CH4 output measured in PAC Pre-RC suggests that PAC could also be potentially used to estimate absolute CH4 output; however, further research is required to substantiate this claim. When DMI is unknown, CH4 and CO2 per kg of live weight are a suitable alternative to the measurement of CH4 and CO2 yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- E O' Connor
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway H65 R718, Ireland; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - F M McGovern
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway H65 R718, Ireland
| | - D P Berry
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork P61 P302, Ireland
| | - E Dunne
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway H65 R718, Ireland
| | - J C McEwan
- AgResearch Ltd, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand
| | - S J Rowe
- AgResearch Ltd, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand
| | - T M Boland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - S J Morrison
- Agri-Food and Bioscience (AFBI), Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6DR, UK
| | - A Aubry
- Agri-Food and Bioscience (AFBI), Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6DR, UK
| | - T Yan
- Agri-Food and Bioscience (AFBI), Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6DR, UK
| | - N McHugh
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork P61 P302, Ireland.
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2
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McHugh N, Pabiou T, McDermott K, Berry DP. Genetic (co)variance components for slaughter traits in a multi-breed sheep population. Animal 2023; 17:100883. [PMID: 37437474 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Carcass value is one of the main contributors to revenue in meat sheep enterprises, while age at slaughter is also a major component to the cost of production. Despite the contribution of such traits to overall profit, little is actually known on the extent of exploitable genetic variability in the traits that govern carcass value (i.e. carcass weight, carcass conformation, carcass fat) and age at slaughter, especially independent of each other. The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic (co)variances for and among carcass weight, carcass conformation, carcass fat, kill-out percentage and age at slaughter as well as their genetic (co)variances with traits measured earlier in life. Data consisted of slaughter records from 15 714 lambs, with 12 630 of these lambs having at least one live weight measure. The heritability (SE) of carcass weight, carcass conformation, carcass fat, kill-out percentage, and age at slaughter was 0.14 (0.02), 0.19 (0.02), 0.08 (0.01), 0.22 (0.03), and 0.16 (0.02), respectively. The maternal heritability for age at slaughter was 0.07 (0.02); no maternal genetic influence was found on any of the other slaughter traits. The coefficient of genetic variation for carcass weight and age at slaughter was 3 and 8%, respectively. The correlations between the direct genetic effects for live weight throughout life, and carcass weight were weak up to weaning but were strong (0.83) thereafter. The correlation between the direct genetic effects of birth weight and age at slaughter was zero, but varied from -0.91 to -0.56 between live weight measured later in life and age at slaughter. Results demonstrate significant exploitable genetic variability in a range of slaughter traits with the prediction of genetic merit for carcass traits and age at slaughter being possible using live weight measures taken on live animals. For example, the accuracy of selection for slaughter traits (comprising of age at slaughter, carcass conformation and carcass fat) from weaning weight records available on 100 progeny was 0.37; when slaughter data were also available for 10 progeny, the accuracy of selection increased to 0.56.
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Affiliation(s)
- N McHugh
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy P61 P302, Co. Cork, Ireland.
| | - T Pabiou
- Sheep Ireland, Link Road, Carrigrohane, Ballincollig, Co. Cork P31 D452, Ireland
| | - K McDermott
- Sheep Ireland, Link Road, Carrigrohane, Ballincollig, Co. Cork P31 D452, Ireland
| | - D P Berry
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy P61 P302, Co. Cork, Ireland
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3
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Rafter P, McHugh N, Pabiou T, Berry D. Inbreeding trends and genetic diversity in purebred sheep populations. Animal 2022; 16:100604. [DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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McHugh N, McDermott K, Bohan A, Farrell LJ, Herron J, Pabiou T. Validation of a sheep maternal and terminal breeding objectives using Irish field data. Transl Anim Sci 2022; 6:txac099. [PMID: 36000073 PMCID: PMC9391924 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txac099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic evaluations provide producers with a tool to aid in breeding decisions and highlight the increase in performance achievable at the farm level through genetic gain. Despite this, large-scale validation of sheep breeding objectives using field data is lacking in the scientific literature. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the phenotypic differences for a range of economically important traits for animals divergent in genetic merit for the Irish national maternal and terminal sheep breeding objectives. A dataset of 17,356 crossbred ewes and 54,322 progeny differing in their maternal and terminal breeding index recorded in 139 commercial flocks was available. The association of the maternal index of the ewe or terminal index of the ram and a range of phenotypic performance traits, including lambing, lamb performance, ewe performance, and health traits, were undertaken. Ewes excelling on the maternal index had higher litter sizes and produced progeny with greater perinatal lamb survival, heavier live weights from birth to postweaning and reduced days to slaughter (P < 0.05). Ewe maternal index had no quantifiable impact on lambing ease, carcass conformation, or fat, the health status of the ewe or lamb, ewe barren rate, or ewe live weight. Lambs born to rams of superior terminal index produced heavier lambs from preweaning onwards, with a reduced day to slaughter (P < 0.05). Lambing traits, lamb health, and carcass characteristics of the progeny did not differ between sires stratified as low or high on the terminal index (P > 0.05). Results from this study highlight that selecting either ewes or rams of superior maternal or terminal attributes will result in an improvement on pertinent performance traits of the national sheep flock, resulting in greater flock productivity and profitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- N McHugh
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark , Fermoy, P61 P302, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - K McDermott
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh , Bandon P72 X050, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - A Bohan
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh , Bandon P72 X050, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - L J Farrell
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry , H65 R718, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - J Herron
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark , Fermoy, P61 P302, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - T Pabiou
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh , Bandon P72 X050, Co. Cork, Ireland
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McHugh N, O'Brien AC, Pabiou T, McDermott K, Berry DP. Association between the prion protein genotype and animal performance traits in a large multibreed sheep population. Animal 2022; 16:100587. [PMID: 35872388 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic susceptibility to scrapie, a fatal disease of sheep and goats, is modulated by polymorphisms in the prion protein (PrP). Neither the frequency of the PrP genotypes nor their association with animal performance has been investigated in a large multibreed Irish sheep population. Scrapie genotypes were available on 16 416 animals; the breeds represented included purebred Belclare (733), Charollais (333), Suffolk (739), Texel (1 857), Vendeen (191), and crossbreds (12 563). Performance data on lambing, lamb and ewe performance as well as health traits were available. The association between alternative approaches of describing the PrP genotype (i.e. 15 individually called PrP genotypes, five genotype classes representing susceptibility to scrapie, or number of ARR haplotypes) and animal performance were quantified using animal linear mixed models. All 15 of the possible scrapie genotypes were detected, although the frequency differed by breed. The frequency of the five PrP haplotypes in the entire population were 0.70 (ARR), 0.15 (ARQ), 0.11 (ARH), 0.02 (AHQ) and 0.01 (VRQ); the most susceptible haplotype (VRQ) was only detected in purebred Texels and crossbreds. No association was detected between the PrP genotype of either the animal or dam and any of the lambing traits (i.e. lambing difficulty score, perinatal mortality and birth weight). With the exception of ultrasound muscle depth, no association between the PrP genotype and any of the lamb performance traits (i.e. lamb BW and carcass) was observed. Lambs carrying the category four PrP genotype (i.e. ARR/VRQ) had 1.20 (SE = 0.45) mm, 1.38 (SE = 0.12) mm, 1.47 (S = 0.25) mm shallower ultrasound muscle depth relative to lambs of the less susceptible scrapie categories of 1, 2, 3, respectively (P < 0.05). Nonetheless, no association between PrP genotype and lamb carcass conformation, the ultimate end goal of producers, was detected. Ewe litter size, body condition score or lameness did not differ by PrP genotype of the ewe (P > 0.05). For ewe mature BW, ARH/VRQ ewes differed from most other ewe PrP genotypes and were, on average, 3.79 (SE = 1.66) kg heavier than ARR/ARR genotype ewes. Lamb dag score differed by dam PrP genotype (P < 0.05), although the differences were small. Results from this study show that scrapie is segregating within the Irish sheep population, but the PrP genotype was not associated with most traits investigated and, where associations were detected, the biological significance was minimal. This suggests minimal impact of selection on PrP genotype on performance, at least for the traits investigated in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- N McHugh
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy P61 P302, Co. Cork, Ireland.
| | - A C O'Brien
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy P61 P302, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - T Pabiou
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon P72 X050, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - K McDermott
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon P72 X050, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - D P Berry
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy P61 P302, Co. Cork, Ireland
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Fetherstone N, McGovern F, Boland T, McHugh N. How does maternal genetic merit and country of origin impact lamb performance pre- and post-weaning? Small Rumin Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2022.106642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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McGovern F, Garry B, Creighton P, Galvin N, Hennessy D, Kennedy E, McHugh N, O’Donovan M, Beecher M. Validating the n-alkane technique for determining herbage dry matter intake in sheep offered perennial ryegrass harvested at varying growth stages and seasons. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2021.115025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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8
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Tubritt T, Shalloo L, Gilliland TJ, McHugh N, O'Donovan M. Incorporation of the grazing utilization subindex and new updates to the Pasture Profit Index. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:10841-10853. [PMID: 34253368 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Grazing efficiency has been shown to differ between perennial ryegrass varieties. Such differences affect the utilization of grass within grazing systems, influencing the profitability of grass-based ruminant production systems. The Pasture Profit Index (PPI) is an economic merit grass variety selection tool developed to identify varieties with the greatest economic potential for grass-based dairy production systems. A new grass utilization subindex was developed and incorporated into the PPI to identify varieties with superior grazing efficiency. The subindex rewards varieties with superior grazing efficiency, measured as Residual grazed height, as these varieties allow increased amounts of herbage dry matter to be used by grazing animals. The economic values of all other traits within the PPI were reviewed and updated to ensure that the index was reflective of the current economic scenarios with appropriate assumptions included in the models, thus ensuring that varieties excelling in the agronomic traits with the greatest effect on profitability were recognized. The difference between the highest and lowest performing varieties for the grass utilization trait ranged from €23 to -€24. A range of €211 to €43 was recorded between the highest and lowest ranked varieties within the updated PPI. Spearman's rank correlation between the updated and original PPI lists was 0.96. The introduction of the utilization subindex will allow farmers to make informed variety selection decisions when reseeding pasture, particularly on their grazing platforms and it will allow a demand-based communication process between the farmer and the grass merchant or breeder, ultimately affecting trait selection for future breeding strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Tubritt
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland P61C996; The Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, N. Ireland BT9 5DL
| | - L Shalloo
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland P61C996
| | - T J Gilliland
- The Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, N. Ireland BT9 5DL
| | - N McHugh
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland P61C996
| | - M O'Donovan
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland P61C996.
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9
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Hurley CM, McHugh N, Carr S, Kelly JL. Camptodactyly and DiGeorge syndrome: A rare hand anomaly. JPRAS Open 2021; 28:126-130. [PMID: 33855151 PMCID: PMC8027531 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpra.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common deletion syndrome is 22q11.2 and it effects an estimated 1 in 3000 live births. Major features of this multisystem condition include congenital abnormalities, developmental delay, learning difficulties, immunodeficiency, endocrine anomalies and an array of psychiatric disorders. However, variability in phenotype and severity may cause the diagnosis to be overlooked. Early clinical recognition and treatment of DiGeorge syndrome has been shown to increase early life survival, decrease complications and enhance overall quality of life. Skeletal anomalies are infrequently described in 22q11.2 but a subset of patients exhibit upper and lower limb deformities. We present the case of a 5 year-old girl with bilateral fifth digit camptodactyly caused by a fibrous band, and the surgical management of this condition. The current report adds to the body of evidence that camptodactyly is a rare clinical feature of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, and may serve as a diagnostic aid in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Hurley
- Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland.,Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - N McHugh
- Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland.,Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S Carr
- Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland.,Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J L Kelly
- Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland.,Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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Fitzmaurice S, Conington J, McHugh N, Banos G. Towards future genetic evaluations for live weight and carcass composition traits in UK sheep. Small Rumin Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2021.106327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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McHugh N, Pabiou T, Wall E, McDermott K, Berry D. Considerable potential exists to improve lambing performance traits in sheep through breeding. Livest Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Fitzmaurice S, Conington J, Fetherstone N, Pabiou T, McDermott K, Wall E, Banos G, McHugh N. Genetic analyses of live weight and carcass composition traits in purebred Texel, Suffolk and Charollais lambs. Animal 2020; 14:899-909. [PMID: 31907100 PMCID: PMC7163395 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731119002908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lamb live weight is one of the key drivers of profitability on sheep farms. Previous studies in Ireland have estimated genetic parameters for live weight and carcass composition traits using a multi-breed population rather than on an individual breed basis. The objective of the present study was to undertake genetic analyses of three lamb live weight and two carcass composition traits pertaining to purebred Texel, Suffolk and Charollais lambs born in the Republic of Ireland between 2010 and 2017, inclusive. Traits (with lamb age range in parenthesis) considered in the analyses were: pre-weaning weight (20 to 65 days), weaning weight (66 to 120 days), post-weaning weight (121 to 180 days), muscle depth (121 to 180 days) and fat depth (121 to 180 days). After data edits, 137 402 records from 50 372 lambs across 416 flocks were analysed. Variance components were derived using animal linear mixed models separately for each breed. Fixed effects included for all traits were contemporary group, age at first lambing of the dam, parity of the dam, a gender by age of the lamb interaction and a birth type by rearing type of the lamb interaction. Random effects investigated in the pre-weaning and weaning weight analyses included animal direct additive genetic, dam maternal genetic, litter common environment, dam permanent environment and residual variances. The model of analysis for post-weaning, muscle and fat depth included an animal direct additive genetic and litter common environment effect only. Significant direct additive genetic variation existed in all cases. Direct heritability for pre-weaning weight ranged from 0.14 to 0.30 across the three breeds. Weaning weight had a direct heritability ranging from 0.17 to 0.27 and post-weaning weight had a direct heritability ranging from 0.15 to 0.27. Muscle and fat depth heritability estimates ranged from 0.21 to 0.31 and 0.15 to 0.20, respectively. Positive direct correlations were evident for all traits. Results revealed ample genetic variation among animals for the studied traits and significant differences between breeds to suggest that genetic evaluations could be conducted on a per-breed basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Fitzmaurice
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland EH25 9RG, UK
- Department of Animal and Biosciences, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 P203 Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - J. Conington
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland EH25 9RG, UK
| | - N. Fetherstone
- Department of Animal and Biosciences, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 P203 Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - T. Pabiou
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, P72 X050 Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - K. McDermott
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, P72 X050 Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - E. Wall
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, P72 X050 Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - G. Banos
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland EH25 9RG, UK
| | - N. McHugh
- Department of Animal and Biosciences, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 P203 Co. Cork, Ireland
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13
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Berry DP, Bohan A, O'Brien AC, Campion FC, McHugh N, Wall E. Heteropaternal superfecundation frequently occurs in multiple-bearing mob-mated sheep. Anim Genet 2020; 51:579-583. [PMID: 32343851 DOI: 10.1111/age.12939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Heteropaternal superfecundation may be defined as the fertilisation of two or more ova during the same oestrus cycle as a result of more than one coital act from different males; this results in foetuses being born in the same litter of the same age but different paternity. Heteropaternal superfecundation is more likely to occur in poly-ovulatory species like sheep; moreover, female sheep are often mob-mated with several rams concurrently, thus providing an opportunity for a given female to be served by multiple males during the same oestrus cycle. The objective of the present study was to determine the frequency of heteropaternal superfecundation in six sheep flocks where most of the ewes, lambs and rams were genotyped. A total of 685 multiple-birth litters were available where the sire, dam and all lambs were genotyped. Of the 539 pairs of twins included in the analysis, 160 (i.e. 30%) were sired by two different rams. Of the 137 sets of triplets included in the analysis, 73 (i.e. 53%) were sired by more than one ram. Of the nine sets of quadruplets, eight were sired by two rams with the remaining litter being mono-paternal. The overall incidence of heteropaternal superfecundation among litters was therefore 35%. Given that the incidence of multiple births in these flocks was 65%, heteropaternal superfecundation is expected to be relatively common in sheep; this is especially true as all but two of the litter-mates were polyzygotic. Genotyping of progeny is one practical solution to identity such individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- D P Berry
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy Co. Cork, P61 P302, Ireland
| | - A Bohan
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon Co. Cork, P72 X050, Ireland
| | - A C O'Brien
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy Co. Cork, P61 P302, Ireland
| | - F C Campion
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, H65 R718, Ireland
| | - N McHugh
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy Co. Cork, P61 P302, Ireland
| | - E Wall
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon Co. Cork, P72 X050, Ireland
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McCabe S, McHugh N, O'Connell NE, Prendiville R. Evaluation of production efficiencies at pasture of lactating suckler cows of diverse genetic merit and replacement strategy. Animal 2020; 14:1768-1776. [PMID: 32223778 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731120000415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Feed costs account for the largest proportion of direct cost within suckler beef production systems. By identifying the cow type with enhanced capability of converting grazed herbage to beef output across lactations, suckler cow systems would become more efficient and sustainable. The objective of this study was to estimate grass DM intake (GDMI) and production efficiency among lactating suckler cows of diverse genetic merit for the national Irish maternal index (Replacement Index) which includes cow efficiency components such as milk yield and feed intake. Data from 131 cows of diverse genetic merit within the Replacement Index, across two different replacement strategies (suckler or dairy sourced), were available over two grazing seasons. Milk yield, GDMI, cow live weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were recorded during early, mid and late-lactation, with subsequent measures of production efficiency extrapolated. Genetic merit had no significant effect on any variables investigated, with the exception of low genetic merit (LOW) cows being 22 kg heavier in BW than high genetic merit (HIGH) cows (P < 0.05). Beef cows were 55 kg heavier in BW (P < 0.001), had a 0.31 greater BCS (P < 0.05) and 0.30 Unité Fourragère Lait (UFL) greater energy requirement for maintenance compared to dairy sourced beef × dairy crossbred (BDX) cows (P < 0.001). The BDX had 0.8 kg greater GDMI, produced 1.8 kg more milk (P < 0.001), had a 0.8 UFL greater energy requirement for lactation and produced weanlings that were 17 kg heavier in BW than beef cows (P < 0.05). Subsequent efficiency variables of milk per 100 kg BW (P < 0.001), milk per kg GDMI (P < 0.001) and GDMI per 100 kg BW (P < 0.001) were more favourable for BDX. The correlations examined showed GDMI had moderate positive correlations (P < 0.001) with intake per 100 kg BW, net energy intake per kg milk yield, RFI and intake per 100 kg calf weaning weight but was weakly negatively correlated to milk yield per kg GDMI (P < 0.001). No difference was observed across genetic merit for beef cows for any of the traits investigated. Results from the current study showed that, while contrasting replacement strategies had an effect on GDMI and production efficiency, no main effect was observed on cows diverse in genetic merit for Replacement Index. Nonetheless, utilising genetic indexes in the suckler herd is an important resource for selecting breeding females for the national herd and phenotypic performance generated from this study can be included in future genetic evaluations to improve reliability of genetic values.
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Affiliation(s)
- S McCabe
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, County MeathC15PW93, Ireland
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, BelfastBT9 7BL, Ireland
| | - N McHugh
- Livestock Systems Department, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County CorkP61C996, Ireland
| | - N E O'Connell
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, BelfastBT9 7BL, Ireland
| | - R Prendiville
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, County MeathC15PW93, Ireland
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Green A, Shaddick G, Charlton R, Snowball J, Nightingale A, Smith C, Tillett W, McHugh N. A study of obesity, BMI, smoking and alcohol as risk factors for psoriatic arthritis. Br J Dermatol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/bjd.18828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Green A, Shaddick G, Charlton R, Snowball J, Nightingale A, Smith C, Tillett W, McHugh N. 肥胖、BMI、吸烟和饮酒作为银屑病关节炎风险因素的研究. Br J Dermatol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/bjd.18841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Green A, Shaddick G, Charlton R, Snowball J, Nightingale A, Smith C, Tillett W, McHugh N. Modifiable risk factors and the development of psoriatic arthritis in people with psoriasis. Br J Dermatol 2019; 182:714-720. [DOI: 10.1111/bjd.18227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Green
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY U.K
- Department of Mathematical Sciences University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY U.K
| | - G. Shaddick
- Department of Mathematics University of Exeter Exeter U.K
| | - R. Charlton
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY U.K
| | - J. Snowball
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY U.K
| | - A. Nightingale
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY U.K
| | - C. Smith
- St John's Institute of Dermatology Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust London U.K
| | - W. Tillett
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY U.K
- Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases Upper Borough Walls Bath U.K
| | - N. McHugh
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY U.K
- Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases Upper Borough Walls Bath U.K
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Bohan A, Shalloo L, Creighton P, Berry D, Boland T, O'Brien A, Pabiou T, Wall E, McDermott K, McHugh N. Deriving economic values for national sheep breeding objectives using a bio-economic model. Livest Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2019.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Betteridge Z, Tansley S, Shaddick G, Chinoy H, Cooper RG, New RP, Lilleker JB, Vencovsky J, Chazarain L, Danko K, Nagy-Vincze M, Bodoki L, Dastmalchi M, Ekholm L, Lundberg IE, McHugh N. Frequency, mutual exclusivity and clinical associations of myositis autoantibodies in a combined European cohort of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy patients. J Autoimmun 2019; 101:48-55. [PMID: 30992170 PMCID: PMC6580360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To determine prevalence and co-existence of myositis specific autoantibodies (MSAs) and myositis associated autoantibodies (MAAs) and associated clinical characteristics in a large cohort of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) patients. Methods Adult patients with confirmed IIM recruited to the EuroMyositis registry (n = 1637) from four centres were investigated for the presence of MSAs/MAAs by radiolabelled-immunoprecipitation, with confirmation of anti-MDA5 and anti-NXP2 by ELISA. Clinical associations for each autoantibody were calculated for 1483 patients with a single or no known autoantibody by global linear regression modelling. Results MSAs/MAAs were found in 61.5% of patients, with 84.7% of autoantibody positive patients having a sole specificity, and only three cases (0.2%) having more than one MSA. The most frequently detected autoantibody was anti-Jo-1 (18.7%), with a further 21 specificities each found in 0.2–7.9% of patients. Autoantibodies to Mi-2, SAE, TIF1, NXP2, MDA5, PMScl and the non-Jo-1 tRNA-synthetases were strongly associated (p < 0.001) with cutaneous involvement. Anti-TIF1 and anti-Mi-2 positive patients had an increased risk of malignancy (OR 4.67 and 2.50 respectively), and anti-SRP patients had a greater likelihood of cardiac involvement (OR 4.15). Interstitial lung disease was strongly associated with the anti-tRNA synthetases, anti-MDA5, and anti-U1RNP/Sm. Overlap disease was strongly associated with anti-PMScl, anti-Ku, anti-U1RNP/Sm and anti-Ro60. Absence of MSA/MAA was negatively associated with extra-muscular manifestations. Conclusions Myositis autoantibodies are present in the majority of patients with IIM and identify distinct clinical subsets. Furthermore, MSAs are nearly always mutually exclusive endorsing their credentials as valuable disease biomarkers. Myositis specific autoantibodies very rarely coexist in the one individual allowing endotypes to be more precisely defined. The association of anti-TIF1 and cancer-associated myositis is confirmed with a cut-off age of over 58 years. In a large combined European myositis cohort associations of anti-SRP with carditis and anti-Mi-2 with cancer have emerged. Myositis associated autoantibodies are strongly associated with having myositis in association with another connective tissue disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Betteridge
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - S Tansley
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - G Shaddick
- Department of Mathematics, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - H Chinoy
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK; National Institute of Health Research Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University Foundation Trust.UK; Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - R G Cooper
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - R P New
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - J B Lilleker
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK; Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - J Vencovsky
- Institute of Rheumatology and Department of Rheumatology, 1stMedical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - L Chazarain
- Institute of Rheumatology and Department of Rheumatology, 1stMedical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - K Danko
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - M Nagy-Vincze
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - L Bodoki
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - M Dastmalchi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna Karolinska Institutet, And Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - L Ekholm
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna Karolinska Institutet, And Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - I E Lundberg
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna Karolinska Institutet, And Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - N McHugh
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
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McCabe S, McHugh N, O'Connell N, Prendiville R. Comparative grazing behaviour of lactating suckler cows of contrasting genetic merit and genotype. Livest Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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McCabe S, McHugh N, O’Connell N, Prendiville R. 294 Evaluation of production efficiencies among lactating beef and dairy crossbred suckler cows of diverse genetic merit. J Anim Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky404.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - N O’Connell
- Queens University Belfast,Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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Hanrahan L, McHugh N, Hennessy T, Moran B, Kearney R, Wallace M, Shalloo L. Factors associated with profitability in pasture-based systems of milk production. J Dairy Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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23
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Bohan A, Shalloo L, Creighton P, Earle E, Boland T, McHugh N. Investigating the role of stocking rate and prolificacy potential on profitability of grass based sheep production systems. Livest Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Earle E, Boland TM, McHugh N, Creighton P. Measures of lamb production efficiency in a temperate grass-based system differing in ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate. J Anim Sci 2018; 95:3504-3512. [PMID: 28805924 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2017.1427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of ewe prolificacy potential (PP; predicted number of lambs born ewe yr), as dictated by sire breed type, and stocking rate (SR; ewes ha) on ewe production efficiency (kg lamb live weight weaned:kg ewe live weight mated), lamb growth, lamb carcass output, and dry matter (DM; kg) and energy (UFL; unit of energy kg DM) consumption (in the form of both grazed and conserved herbage, concentrate supplementation, and total) in a temperate grass-based lamb production system. The study was a 2 × 3 factorial design, consisting of 2 differing ewe prolificacy potentials (medium prolificacy [MP]-Suffolk-sired crossbred ewes and high prolificacy [HP]-Belclare-sired crossbred ewes) and 3 stocking rates: low (LSR; 10 ewes ha), medium (MSR; 12 ewes ha), and high (HSR: 14 ewes ha). Each treatment was managed in a 5-paddock rotational system for the duration of the study. The HP treatment weaned more lambs ewe and ha ( < 0.01), yielded a higher average daily live weight gain (ADG) ha ( < 0.001), produced an additional 50 kg of lamb carcass ha ( < 0.05), and required 13% less DM and UFL to produce a kg of lamb carcass ( < 0.001) compared to the MP treatment. High prolificacy potential ewes had a 4% higher production efficiency ( < 0.05) than MP ewes. Ewe prolificacy potential had no effect on the total quantity of DM and UFL consumed ewe and lamb unit ( > 0.05). Increasing stocking rate increased the number of lambs weaned ha ( < 0.001) and increased lifetime lamb ADG ha ( < 0.001). Lamb carcass output (kg) ha was highest at the HSR, intermediate at the MSR, and lowest at the LSR ( < 0.001). The quantity of DM and UFL consumed ewe and lamb unit and kg of lamb carcass produced ha increased as stocking rate increased ( < 0.001). In conclusion, results from this study demonstrate HP ewes to be more efficient in the production of lamb. Increasing stocking rate provides the opportunity to increase lamb carcass output ha; however, achieving this increase in output required additional DM and UFL ewe and lamb unit above 12 ewes ha.
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Wlodek C, Korendowych E, McHugh N, Lovell CR. Morphoea profunda and its relationship to eosinophilic fasciitis. Clin Exp Dermatol 2017; 43:306-310. [PMID: 29277925 DOI: 10.1111/ced.13353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In this small case series, all eight patients were women in their fifth and sixth decades. This is similar to the female predominance in morphoea and less in keeping with eosinophilic fasciitis (EF). All cases had diffuse induration of their limbs with both proximal and distal patterns of distribution, and five of the patients exhibited peau d'orange skin. All patients had diffuse induration of the lower limbs and half had restricted ankle movements. Six patients had concomitant superficial morphoea. This group of patients demonstrated a unique subtype of the morphoea spectrum with some features overlapping with EF. However, there appear to be points of distinction, and we propose that some previously reported cases labelled as EF would be better described as having morphoea profunda (MP). Methotrexate may be a useful treatment for MP, hence it is important to distinguish this from EF, as management may differ.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Wlodek
- Royal United Hospital Bath, Bath, Avon, UK
| | - E Korendowych
- Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath, Avon, UK
| | - N McHugh
- Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath, Avon, UK
| | - C R Lovell
- Royal United Hospital Bath, Bath, Avon, UK
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Binns EL, Moraitis E, Maillard S, Tansley S, McHugh N, Jacques TS, Wedderburn LR, Pilkington C, Yasin SA, Nistala K. Effective induction therapy for anti-SRP associated myositis in childhood: A small case series and review of the literature. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2017; 15:77. [PMID: 29089059 PMCID: PMC5664807 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-017-0205-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-Signal Recognition Particle associated myopathy is a clinically and histopathologically distinct subgroup of Juvenile Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis, which is under-recognised in children and fails to respond to conventional first line therapies. We present three cases where remission was successfully induced using combination therapy with intensive rehabilitation. CASE PRESENTATIONS Three new patients are reported. All 3 cases presented with profound, rapid-onset, proximal myopathy and markedly raised CK, but no rash. Histology revealed a destructive myopathy characterized by scattered atrophic and necrotic fibres with little or no inflammatory infiltrate. All 3 patients responded to induction with cyclophosphamide, IVIG and rituximab, in conjunction with intensive physiotherapy and methotrexate as the maintenance agent. Our patients regained near-normal strength (MMT > 70/80), in contrast with the current literature where >50% of cases reported severe residual weakness. A literature search on paediatric anti-SRP myositis was performed to June 2016; PubMed was screened using a combination of the following terms: signal recognition particle, autoantibodies, antibodies, myositis, muscular diseases, skeletal muscle, childhood, paediatric, juvenile. Articles in a foreign language were excluded. Nine case studies were found. CONCLUSION This paper supports the hypothesis that anti-SRP myositis is distinct from other JIIM. It is an important differential to JDM and should be considered where there is severe weakness without rash or if highly elevated muscle enzymes (CK > 10,000 U/l) are found. Early identification is essential to initiate aggressive medical and physical therapy. Greater international collaboration and long-term follow-up data is needed to establish the most effective treatment strategy for this rare group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. L. Binns
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation and Programme, Great Ormond Street, UCL Great Ormond Street, Institute of Child Health, London, UK ,Rheumatology Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - E. Moraitis
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation and Programme, Great Ormond Street, UCL Great Ormond Street, Institute of Child Health, London, UK ,Rheumatology Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - S. Maillard
- Rheumatology Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - S. Tansley
- 0000 0001 2162 1699grid.7340.0Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - N. McHugh
- 0000 0001 2162 1699grid.7340.0Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - T. S. Jacques
- 0000000121901201grid.83440.3bDevelopmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK ,0000000121901201grid.83440.3bDepartment of Histopathology at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, University College London, London, UK
| | - L. R. Wedderburn
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation and Programme, Great Ormond Street, UCL Great Ormond Street, Institute of Child Health, London, UK ,Rheumatology Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK ,0000000121901201grid.83440.3bNIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, University College London, London, UK ,Arthritis Research UK Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology at UCL, UCLH and GOSH, London, UK
| | - C. Pilkington
- Rheumatology Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - S. A. Yasin
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation and Programme, Great Ormond Street, UCL Great Ormond Street, Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - K. Nistala
- Rheumatology Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK ,0000000121901201grid.83440.3bUCL Division of Medicine, London, UK ,0000000121901201grid.83440.3bNIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, University College London, London, UK
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Coyne JM, Berry DP, Matilainen K, Sevon-Aimonen ML, Mantysaari EA, Juga J, Serenius T, McHugh N. Genetic co-variance functions for live weight, feed intake, and efficiency measures in growing pigs1. J Anim Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2017.1408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Coyne JM, Berry DP, Matilainen K, Sevon-Aimonen ML, Mantysaari EA, Juga J, Serenius T, McHugh N. Genetic co-variance functions for live weight, feed intake, and efficiency measures in growing pigs. J Anim Sci 2017; 95:3822-3832. [PMID: 28992029 DOI: 10.2527/jas2017.1408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic co-variance parameters pertaining to live weight, feed intake, and 2 efficiency traits (i.e., residual feed intake and residual daily gain) in a population of pigs over a defined growing phase using Legendre polynomial equations. The data set used consisted of 51,893 live weight records and 903,436 feed intake, residual feed intake (defined as the difference between an animal's actual feed intake and its expected feed intake), and residual daily gain (defined as the difference between an animal's actual growth rate and its expected growth rate) records from 10,201 growing pigs. Genetic co-variance parameters for all traits were estimated using random regression Legendre polynomials. Daily heritability estimates for live weight ranged from 0.25 ± 0.04 (d 73) to 0.50 ± 0.03 (d 122). Low to moderate heritability estimates were evident for feed intake, ranging from 0.07 ± 0.03 (d 66) to 0.25 ± 0.02 (d 170). The estimated heritability for residual feed intake was generally lower than those of both live weight and feed intake and ranged from 0.04 ± 0.01 (d 96) to 0.17 ± 0.02 (d 159). The heritability for feed intake and residual feed intake increased in the early stages of the test period and subsequently sharply declined, coinciding with older ages. Heritability estimates for residual daily gain ranged from 0.26 ± 0.03 (d 188) to 0.42 ± 0.03 (d 101). Genetic correlations within trait were strongest between adjacent ages but weakened as the interval between ages increased; however, the genetic correlations within all traits tended to strengthen between the extremes of the trajectory. Moderate to strong genetic correlations were evident among live weight, feed intake, and the efficiency traits, particularly in the early stage of the trial period (d 66 to 86), but weakened with age. Results from this study could be implemented into the national genetic evaluation for pigs, providing comprehensive information on the profile of growth and efficiency throughout the growing period of the animal's life, thus helping producers identify genetically superior animals.
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McHugh N, Tevlin R, Beggan C, Ryan DJ, Larkin J, Moloney F, Bennett MW, Kelly J. Proliferative myositis of the latissimus dorsi presenting in a 20-year-old male athlete. Ir Med J 2017; 110:605. [PMID: 29341517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We describe the case of a 20-year-old rower presenting with an uncommon condition of Proliferative Myositis (PM) affecting the Latissimus Dorsi (LD). PM is a rare, benign tumour infrequently developing in the upper back. Its rapid growth and firm consistency may mistake it for sarcoma at presentation. Therefore, careful multidisciplinary work-up is crucial, and should involve appropriate radiological and histopathological investigations. Here, we propose the aetiology of LD PM to be persistent myotrauma induced by repetitive rowing motions. Symptoms and rate of progression ultimately determine the management which includes surveillance and/or conservative resection. There have been no documented cases of recurrence or malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- N McHugh
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - R Tevlin
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - C Beggan
- Department of Histopathology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - D J Ryan
- Department of Radiology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - J Larkin
- University College Cork School of Medicine, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - F Moloney
- Department of Radiology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - M W Bennett
- Department of Histopathology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - J Kelly
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
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McHugh N, Pabiou T, Wall E, McDermott K, Berry DP. Impact of alternative definitions of contemporary groups on genetic evaluations of traits recorded at lambing. J Anim Sci 2017; 95:1926-1938. [PMID: 28727026 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2016.1344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of alternative contemporary group definitions for lambing traits on genetic evaluations in the Irish multibreed sheep population. Three lambing traits were considered for analysis: lambing difficulty, birth weight, and survival. Eight alternative contemporary group definitions were investigated for each lambing trait; all contemporary groups were formed within flock of lambing and included (flock by) week of lambing, week of lambing by litter size (i.e., singles vs. multiples), 2-wk interval (i.e., fortnight) of lambing, fortnight of lambing by litter size, month of lambing, and month of lambing by litter size or were based on an optimized algorithm that creates contemporary groups based on animals from the same flock that are born in close proximity of date. Three alternative scenarios were modeled for each of the lambing traits using the contemporary group definitions: the first scenario (termed Current Scenario) represented the editing criteria currently employed in the Irish national genetic evaluations; the second scenario (No Restriction Scenario) removed any restriction on number of records per contemporary group, and the final scenario (Variation Scenario) included only data from contemporary groups with some variability in the dependent variable. Variance components and EBV for each of the 3 lambing traits were estimated using linear mixed models. The direct heritability estimates ranged from 0.09 ± 0.02 to 0.29 ± 0.02 for lambing difficulty, 0.11 ± 0.01 to 0.24 ± 0.01 for birth weight, and 0.05 ± 0.02 to 0.10 ± 0.02 for lamb survival. Irrespective of lambing trait, greater estimated accuracy of the sire EBV was achieved with the No Restriction Scenario. Results for the ability to predict future lambing characteristics, based on only the direct and maternal EBV, revealed that the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for the dichotomized lambing assistance phenotype varied from 0.56 to 0.66; a lambing event predicted to be in the worst 10% risk category of a difficult lambing on the basis of genetic merit alone was 5.48 times (95% CI: 3.94 to 7.61; < 0.001) more likely to require assistance at lambing compared to a lambing event in the best 10%. Results show that the use of contemporary groups formed over short time periods, coupled with moderate editing of the data, yielded superior predictions for all lambing traits.
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Abstract
The objective of the present study was to quantify the within- and between-cow, operator, and day variances of various descriptive temperature parameters from different anatomical areas captured using thermal images on Holstein-Friesian cows. Three experiments were undertaken. In Exp. 1, 30 images were captured by a single operator of each of the eye, hoof, and udder from each of 45 cows; in Exp. 2, three different operators captured eye and hoof images from 12 cows; and in Exp. 3, eye and hoof images were captured by a single operator from 8 cows over a 5-d period. Maximum, minimum, and average descriptive temperature parameters were manually extracted from all thermal images within the study. The repeatability of thermal imaging and the number of replicates required to obtain a certain level of precision was evaluated. Precision was defined as the 95% CI range within which the (average of the) measured temperature(s) was expected to lie relative to the gold standard; the gold standard temperature of an entity in this study was the average of 30 temperature measurements. The partitioning of the variance into error, cow, operator, and day variances was undertaken using mixed models. Results show that the most repeatable anatomical area was the hoof, with the total proportion of variation attributed to the cow ranging from 91.37 to 99.28%. The descriptive temperature parameter with the lowest error variance was the maximum temperature for the eye (0.11°C) and udder (0.03°C) images, whereas the average temperature was the most precise descriptive temperature parameter for hoof (0.08°C) images. Additionally, no significant between-day variance was detected for maximum hoof temperatures. Results from the present study indicate that when the most precise descriptive temperature parameter is used, measurements made using infrared thermography can achieve a high level of precision in an agricultural environment if at least 3 replicate images of the eye, udder, or hooves of cows are captured and averaged. Additionally, when multiple operators capture thermal images in an agricultural environment, a standard operating procedure should be put in place to minimize the variance between operators.
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Earle E, McHugh N, Boland TM, Creighton P. Effect of ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate on ewe and lamb performance in a grass-based lamb production system. J Anim Sci 2017; 95:154-164. [PMID: 28177380 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2016.0772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of ewe prolificacy potential (PP; predicted number of lambs born per ewe per year) as dictated by sire breed type, stocking rate (SR; ewes per ha), and their interaction on ewe and lamb performance in a temperate grass-based lamb production system. The study was a 2 × 3 factorial design, consisting of 2 differing ewe PP and 3 SR which included 180 medium prolificacy potential (MP- Suffolk-sired crossbred ewes) and 180 high prolificacy potential ewes (HP- Belclare-sired crossbred ewes) allocated to 1 of 3 ( = 60 ewes) SR: low (LSR; 10 ewes per ha), medium (MSR; 12 ewes per ha) or high (HSR: 14 ewes per ha). Each treatment was managed in a 5-paddock rotational grazing system for the duration of the study. Medium prolificacy ewes were consistently heavier ( < 0.001) compared to HP ewes, with HP ewes having a higher BCS at lambing and 6 wk post-lambing (PL; < 0.05). Low SR ewes had a higher BW ( < 0.05) and BCS ( < 0.05) at mating, 6 wk PL, and weaning relative to MSR and HSR ewes which did not differ from each other. Lambs born to MP ewes were heavier at birth and weaning ( < 0.001) and achieved a higher ADG from birth to weaning ( < 0.05). Ewe PP had no effect on lifetime ADG or d to slaughter (DTS) with HP lambs yielding a higher carcass weight ( < 0.001). Low SR and MSR lambs achieved higher ADG from birth to weaning ( < 0.001) and weaning weight ( < 0.001) relative to HSR lambs and did not differ from each other, while post-weaning and lifetime lamb ADG was highest at the LSR, intermediate at the MSR, and lowest at the HSR ( < 0.001). A ewe PP by SR interaction existed for DTS, with MP lambs at the LSR reaching slaughter weight earlier ( < 0.01) relative to HP lambs, while at the MSR and HSR, MP and HP lambs did not differ from each other. High PP ewes produced a higher average born ( < 0.001) and weaned litter size per ewe ( < 0.01), with live weight weaned per ha ( < 0.001) increasing as ewe PP and SR increased. Lambing difficulty, ewe mother ability and lamb viability did not differ by ewe PP or SR. In conclusion, the lack of interaction between ewe PP and SR on many key performance measures in this study demonstrates the potential to increase the live weight of lamb weaned per ha through the use of higher ewe PP and SR levels, with no effect of ewe PP on lifetime lamb performance even as SR increased, with reductions in lamb performance primarily occurring at the HSR.
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McHugh N, Pabiou T, McDermott K, Wall E, Berry DP. Impact of birth and rearing type, as well as inaccuracy of recording, on pre-weaning lamb phenotypic and genetic merit for live weight. Transl Anim Sci 2017; 1:137-145. [PMID: 32704636 PMCID: PMC7250409 DOI: 10.2527/tas2017.0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to quantify the impact of the systematic environmental effects of both birth and rearing type on pre-weaning lamb live weight, and to evaluate the repercussions of inaccurate recording of birth and rearing type on subsequent genetic evaluations. A total of 32,548 birth weight records, 35,770 forty-day weight records and 32,548 records for average daily gain (ADG) between birth and 40-day weight from the Irish national sheep database were used. For each lamb, a new variable, birth-rearing type, reflecting both the birth and rearing type of a lamb was generated by concatenating both parameters. The association between birth-rearing type and birth weight, 40-day weight, and ADG was estimated using linear mixed models. The repercussions of inaccurate recording of birth type were determined by quantifying the impact on sire estimated breeding value (EBV; with an accuracy of ≥ 35%), where one of the lambs born in a selection of twin litter births was assumed to have died at birth but the farmer recorded the birth and rearing type as a singleton. The heaviest mean birth weight was associated with lambs born and subsequently reared as singles (5.47 kg); the lightest mean birth weight was associated with lambs born and reared as triplets (4.10 kg). The association between birth-rearing type and 40-day weight differed by dam parity (P < 0.001). Lambs reared by first parity dams as singles, irrespective of birth type were, on average, heavier at 40-day weighing than lambs reared as multiples, but as parity number increased, single-born lambs reared as twins outperformed triplet-born lambs reared as singles. Irrespective of the trait evaluated, the correlation between sire EBV estimated from the accurately recorded data and sire EBV estimated from the data with recording errors was strong ranging from 0.93 (birth weight) to 0.97 (ADG). The EBV for sires with progeny data manipulated were 0.14 kg, 0.34 kg and 5.56 g/d less for birth weight, 40-day weight and ADG, respectively, compared to their equivalent EBV calculated using accurately recorded data. Results from this study highlight the importance of precise recording of birth-rearing type by producers for the generation of accurate genetic evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- N McHugh
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - T Pabiou
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - K McDermott
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - E Wall
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - D P Berry
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
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Charlton RA, McGrogan A, Snowball J, Yates LM, Wood A, Clayton-Smith J, Smithson WH, Richardson JL, McHugh N, Thomas SHL, Baker GA, Bromley R. Sensitivity of the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink to Detect Neurodevelopmental Effects of Medicine Exposure in Utero: Comparative Analysis of an Antiepileptic Drug-Exposed Cohort. Drug Saf 2017; 40:387-397. [PMID: 28188601 PMCID: PMC5384950 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-017-0506-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Electronic healthcare data have several advantages over prospective observational studies, but the sensitivity of data on neurodevelopmental outcomes and its comparability with data generated through other methodologies is unknown. Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine whether data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) produces similar risk estimates to a prospective cohort study in relation to the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) following prenatal antiepileptic drug (AED) exposure. Methods A cohort of mother–child pairs of women with epilepsy (WWE) was identified in the CPRD and matched to a cohort without epilepsy. The study period ran from 1 January 2000 to 31 March 2007 and children were required to be in the CPRD at age 6 years. AED exposure during pregnancy was determined from prescription data and children with an NDD diagnosis by 6 years were identified from Read clinical codes. The prevalence and risk of NDDs was calculated for mother–child pairs in WWE stratified by AED regimen and for those without epilepsy. Comparisons were made with the results of the prospective Liverpool and Manchester Neurodevelopment Group study which completed assessment on 201 WWE and 214 without epilepsy at age 6 years. Results In the CPRD, 1018 mother–child pairs to WWE and 6048 to women without epilepsy were identified. The CPRD identified a lower prevalence of NDDs than the prospective study. In both studies, NDDs were more frequently reported in children of WWE than women without epilepsy, although the CPRD risk estimate was lower (2.16 vs. 0.96%, p < 0.001 and 7.46 vs. 1.87%, p = 0.0128). NDD prevalence differed across AED regimens but the CPRD data did not replicate the significantly higher risk of NDDs following in utero monotherapy valproate exposure (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52–7.86) observed in the prospective study (ORadj 6.05, 95% CI 1.65–24.53). Conclusion It was possible to identify NDDs in the CPRD; however, the CPRD appears to under-record these outcomes. Larger studies are required to investigate further. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s40264-017-0506-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Charlton
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
| | - A McGrogan
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - J Snowball
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - L M Yates
- The UK Teratology Information Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - A Wood
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston Brain Centre, Aston University, West Midlands, UK
| | - J Clayton-Smith
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - W H Smithson
- Department of General Practice, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - J L Richardson
- The UK Teratology Information Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - N McHugh
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - S H L Thomas
- The UK Teratology Information Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Medical Toxicology Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - G A Baker
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - R Bromley
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
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Ekholm L, Vosslamber S, Tjärnlund A, de Jong TD, Betteridge Z, McHugh N, Plestilova L, Klein M, Padyukov L, Voskuyl AE, Bultink IEM, Michiel Pegtel D, Mavragani CP, Crow MK, Vencovsky J, Lundberg IE, Verweij CL. Autoantibody Specificities and Type I Interferon Pathway Activation in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies. Scand J Immunol 2017; 84:100-9. [PMID: 27173897 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Myositis is a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases, with different pathogenic mechanisms contributing to the different subsets of disease. The aim of this study was to test whether the autoantibody profile in patients with myositis is associated with a type I interferon (IFN) signature, as in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). Patients with myositis were prospectively enrolled in the study and compared to healthy controls and to patients with SLE. Autoantibody status was analysed using an immunoassay system and immunoprecipitation. Type I IFN activity in whole blood was determined using direct gene expression analysis. Serum IFN-inducing activity was tested using peripheral blood cells from healthy donors. Blocking experiments were performed by neutralizing anti-IFNAR or anti-IFN-α antibodies. Patients were categorized into IFN high and IFN low based on an IFN score. Patients with autoantibodies against RNA-binding proteins had a higher IFN score compared to patients without these antibodies, and the IFN score was related to autoantibody multispecificity. Patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and inclusion body myositis (IBM) had a higher IFN score compared to the other subgroups. Serum type I IFN bioactivity was blocked by neutralizing anti-IFNAR or anti-IFN-α antibodies. To conclude, a high IFN score was not only associated with DM, as previously reported, and IBM, but also with autoantibody monospecificity against several RNA-binding proteins and with autoantibody multispecificity. These studies identify IFN-α in sera as a trigger for activation of the type I IFN pathway in peripheral blood and support IFN-α as a possible target for therapy in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Ekholm
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - S Vosslamber
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A Tjärnlund
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - T D de Jong
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Z Betteridge
- Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - N McHugh
- Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - L Plestilova
- Institute of Rheumatology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - M Klein
- Institute of Rheumatology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - L Padyukov
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - A E Voskuyl
- Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and immunology Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - I E M Bultink
- Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and immunology Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - D Michiel Pegtel
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C P Mavragani
- Mary Kirkland Center for Lupus Research, Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Experimental Physiology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - M K Crow
- Mary Kirkland Center for Lupus Research, Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - J Vencovsky
- Institute of Rheumatology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - I E Lundberg
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - C L Verweij
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and immunology Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Earle E, McHugh N, Boland TM, Creighton P. Effect of ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate on ewe and lamb performance in a grass-based lamb production system. J Anim Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.2527/jas2016.0772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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37
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McHugh N, Pabiou T, Wall E, McDermott K, Berry DP. Impact of alternative definitions of contemporary groups on genetic evaluations of traits recorded at lambing. J Anim Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.2527/jas2016.1344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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39
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Earle E, Boland TM, McHugh N, Creighton P. Measures of lamb production efficiency in a temperate grass-based system differing in ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate. J Anim Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.2527/jas2017.1427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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40
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Berry DP, O'Brien A, Randles S, McDermott K, Wall E, McHugh N. 0308 Imputation of medium density genotypes from custom low density genotype panel in sheep. J Anim Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.2527/jam2016-0308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Coyne JM, Matilainen K, Berry DP, Sevon-Aimonen ML, Mäntysaari EA, Juga J, Serenius T, McHugh N. Estimation of genetic (co)variances of Gompertz growth function parameters in pigs. J Anim Breed Genet 2016; 134:136-143. [PMID: 27625008 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to estimate genetic (co)variances for the Gompertz growth function parameters, asymptotic mature weight (A), the ratio of mature weight to birthweight (B) and rate of maturation (k), using alternative modelling approaches. The data set consisted of 51 893 live weight records from 10 201 growing pigs. The growth of each pig was modelled using the Gompertz model employing either a two-step fixed effect or mixed model approach or a one-step mixed model approach using restricted maximum likelihood for the estimation of genetic (co)variance. Heritability estimates for the Gompertz growth function parameters, A (0.40), B (0.69) and k (0.45), were greatest for the one-step approach, compared with the two-step fixed effects approach, A (0.10), B (0.33) and k (0.13), and the two-step mixed model approach, A (0.17), B (0.32) and k (0.18). Inferred genetic correlations (i.e. correlations of estimated breeding values) between growth function parameters within models ranged from -0.78 to 0.76, and across models ranged from 0.28 to 0.73 for parameter A, 0.75 to 0.88 for parameter B and 0.09 to 0.37 for parameter k. Correlations between predicted daily sire live weights based on the Gompertz growth curve parameters' estimated breeding values from 60 to 200 days of age between all three modelled approaches were moderately to strongly correlated (0.75 to 0.95). Results from this study provide heritability estimates for biologically interpretable parameters of pig growth through the quantification of genetic (co)variances, thereby facilitating the estimation of breeding values for inclusion in breeding objectives to aid in breeding and selection decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Coyne
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.,Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland.,Department of Agricultural Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - K Matilainen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland
| | - D P Berry
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | | | - E A Mäntysaari
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland
| | - J Juga
- Department of Agricultural Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - N McHugh
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
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Abstract
The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are characterized by muscle weakness, skin disease and internal organ involvement. Autoimmunity is known to have a role in myositis pathogenesis, and myositis-specific autoantibodies, targeting important intracellular proteins, are regarded as key biomarkers aiding in the diagnosis of patients. In recent years, a number of novel myositis autoantibodies including anti-TIF1, anti-NXP2, anti-MDA5, anti-SAE, anti-HMGCR and anti-cN1A have been identified in both adult and juvenile patients. These autoantibodies correlate with distinct clinical manifestations and importantly are found in inclusion body, statin-induced, clinically amyopathic and juvenile groups of myositis patients, previously believed to be mainly autoantibody negative. In this review, we will describe the main myositis-specific and myositis-associated autoantibodies and their frequencies and clinical associations across different ages and ethnic groups. We will also discuss preliminary studies investigating correlations between specific myositis autoantibody titres and clinical markers of disease course, collectively demonstrating the utility of myositis autoantibodies as both diagnostic and prognostic markers of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Betteridge
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - N McHugh
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK.,Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Disease, Bath, UK
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Hamann P, Hyrich K, Jobling A, McHugh N, Shaddick G, Pauling J. OP0174 The Development of The Modified DAS28-CRP To Improve Agreement with DAS28-ESR and Ensure Appropriate Disease Activity Stratification in RA. Ann Rheum Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.1510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Dures E, Tillett W, Lord J, Bowen C, McHugh N, Hewlett S. FRI0643-HPR A Multicentre Focus Group Study on Important Outcomes for Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.1685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Hamann P, Hyrich K, McHugh N, Shaddick G, Pauling J. THU0627 Differences in DAS28-CRP and DAS28-ESR Influence Disease Activity Stratification in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Could Influence Use of Biologics, Treatment Efficacy Evaluations and Decisions Regarding Treat-To-Target: An Analysis Using The BSRBR-RA: Table 1. Ann Rheum Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.1731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Budu-Aggrey A, Bowes J, Lohr S, Uebe S, Zervou M, Helliwell P, Ryan A, Kane D, Korendowych E, Giardina E, Packham J, McManus R, FitzGerald O, McHugh N, Behrens F, Burkhardt H, Huffmeier U, Ho P, Martin J, Castañeda S, Goulielmos G, Reis A, Barton A. SAT0011 Replication of A Distinct Psoriatic Arthritis Risk Variant at IL23R. Ann Rheum Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.4063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Santos BFS, McHugh N, Byrne TJ, Berry DP, Amer PR. Comparison of breeding objectives across countries with application to sheep indexes in New Zealand and Ireland. J Anim Breed Genet 2015; 132:144-54. [PMID: 25823839 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Breeding objectives and selection indexes underpin the direction, the extent and the economic implications of selection in livestock populations under specific production systems. The objective of this study was to describe the methodology to calculate correlations between national selection indexes and gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing responses in economically important traits in both the New Zealand and Irish sheep industries. Moderate to strong correlations were calculated among indexes within and between countries, with the strongest correlation (0.86) between the New Zealand and Irish maternal indexes. In both countries, responses to selection in the maternal indexes are largely driven by growth traits; each index, however, has a different balance of traits. Ewe mature weight also accounts for an important proportion of overall response and has significant emphasis in both maternal indexes. The majority of emphasis in terminal indexes of both countries is on growth and meat traits. Results from this study indicate that differences between national breeding objectives are unlikely to be a barrier to exchange of gene stocks among countries. Future research should investigate the extent to which genotype-by-environment (G × E) interactions exist at the level of individual traits. The methodology presented in this study is robust and represents an opportunity to inform the potential merits of international exchange of germplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- B F S Santos
- AbacusBio Limited, Dunedin, New Zealand; School of Environmental & Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
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McHugh N. SP0080 Autoantibodies in Dermatomyositis. Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.6601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Tillett W, Shaddick G, Jobling A, Thomas M, Korendowych E, McHugh N. OP0001 Work Disability After Initiation of Anti-TNF and DMARD Treatment in Psoriatic Arthritis; Investigator LED, UK, Multicentre Observational Cohort Study (LOPAS II). Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.1881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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