Association of genotypes at rs438228855 in bovine SLC35A3 receptor gene of Pakistani cattle with the susceptibility to develop complex vertebral malformation

The aim of this study was to report the genotype and allelic frequency at rs438228855 (G > T) in SLC35A3 receptor gene and its association with a complex vertebral malformation (CMV) in the enrolled Pakistani cattle. Our results indicated that allelic and genotype frequency at rs438228855 varied non-significantly (p > .05) among the three enrolled cattle breeds. GT (heterozygous) genotype was most abundant (0.54) followed by GG (wild type) genotype (0.45) while the mutant genotype (TT) was not observed among the enrolled cattle. It was observed that the Holstein Friesian breed had more GG (wild) than GT (heterozygous) genotypes while Sahiwal and cross cattle breed had more heterozygous (GT) combination at rs438228855 than the wild (GG) genotype. Significant variations in white blood cell count, % lymphocytes, red blood cell count, % monocytes, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were observed when compared between the enrolled cattle breeds. Most of the studied haematological parameters showed no association with the genotype at rs438228855. In conclusion, the heterozygosity at rs438228855 is not limited to the Holstein Friesian breed as local Sahiwal and crossbred cattle had also higher heterozygosity at rs438228855. We recommend that animals must be genotyped for rs438228855 before their selection as breeders to prevent economic losses.

Correction to: Screening and computational analysis of colorectal associated non-synonymous polymorphism in CTNNB1 gene in Pakistani population

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors have flagged that the article has published with an error in the order of the affiliations.

FROM Qutn TO Bt COTTON: DEVELOPMENT, ADOPTION AND PROSPECTS. A REVIEW

Cotton has unique history of domestication, diversification, and utilization. Globally it is an important cash crop that provides raw material for textile industry. The story of cotton started from human civilization and the climax arrived with the efforts of developing transgenic cotton for various traits. Though conventional breeding brought steady improvement in developing resistance against biotic stresses but recent success story of gene transferfrom Bacillus thuringiensis into cotton showed game changing effects on cotton cultivation. Amongst various families of insecticidal proteins Bt Cry-toxins received more attention because of specificity against receptors on the cell membranes of insect midgut epithelial cells. Rapid Bt cotton adoption by farmers due to its economic and environmental benefits has changed the landscape of cotton cultivation in many countries. But the variable expression of Bt transgene in the newly developed Bt cotton genotypes in tropical environment is questionable. Variability of toxin level in different plant parts at various life stage of plant is an outcome of genotypic interaction with environmental factors. Temporal gene expression of Cry1Ac is also blamed for the epigenetic background in which transgene has been inserted. The presence of genotypes with sub-lethal level of Bt toxin might create resistance in Lepidopteron insects, limiting the use of Bt cotton in future, with the opportunityfor other resistance development strategies to get more attention like gene stacking. Until the farmers get access to more recent technology, best option is to delay the development of resistance by applying Insect Resistance Management (IRM) strategies.

Phenolics and physico-chemical characteristics of persimmon during post-harvest storage

Garden picked mature but unripe fresh persimmon fruits were unipackaged in different thicknesses of polyethylene (PE) and stored at room (18.5-30 degrees C) and refrigerated temperature (6 +/- 1 degrees C). Maximum mean methanol extractable sinapine (0.168%), catechin (1.51%), and leucoanthocyanidine (10.94 delta A550/g) were recorded in the unipackaged samples kept at room temperature during 6 weeks storage, whereas the minimum values for water extractable phenolics (sinapin, catechin and procyanidin) were recorded in unipackaged samples under refrigerated temperature. The mean maximum weight loss of 12.58 and 7.90% was recorded in control samples kept at room temperature and low temperature, respectively. The weight loss for unipackaged in different thicknesses of PE ranged between 0.93-0.96% and 0.43-0.45% for samples kept at room and low temperature, respectively. Changes in texture values were significantly faster in control than unipackaged samples (P < 0.05). Low temperature combined with unipackaging in PE film performed better for the maintenance of overall fruit quality during post-harvest storage.