Exploiting whole genome sequence data to fine map and characterize candidate genes within a quantitative trait loci region affecting androstenone on porcine chromosome 5

Male piglets are routinely castrated to eliminate boar taint. However, this treatment is undesirable, and alternative approaches, including genetic strategies to reduce boar taint, are demanded. Androstenone is one of the causative agents of boar taint, and a QTL region affecting this pheromone has previously been reported on SSC5: 22.6–24.8 Mb in Duroc. The QTL region is one of the few reported for androstenone that does not simultaneously affect levels of other sex steroids. The main objective of this study was to fine map this QTL. Whole genome sequence data from 23 Norwegian Duroc boars were analyzed to detect new polymorphisms within the QTL region. A subset of 161 SNPs was genotyped in 834 Duroc sires and analyzed for association with androstenone in adipose tissue and testosterone, estrone sulphate and 17β‐estradiol in blood plasma. Our results revealed 100 SNPs significantly associated with androstenone levels in fat (P < 0.001) with 94 of the SNPs being in strong linkage disequilibrium in the region 23.03–24.27 Mb. This haplotype block contains at least four positional candidate genes (HSD17B6,SDR9C7,RDH16 and STAT6) involved in androstenone biosynthesis. No significant associations were found between any of the SNPs and levels of testosterone and estrogens, confirming previous findings. The amount of phenotypic variance explained by single SNPs within the haplotype block was as high as 5.4%. As the SNPs in this region significantly affect levels of androstenone without affecting levels of other sex steroids, they are especially interesting as genetic markers for selection against boar taint.

Mapping and validation of a major QTL affecting resistance to pancreas disease (salmonid alphavirus) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Pancreas disease (PD), caused by a salmonid alphavirus (SAV), has a large negative economic and animal welfare impact on Atlantic salmon aquaculture. Evidence for genetic variation in host resistance to this disease has been reported, suggesting that selective breeding may potentially form an important component of disease control. The aim of this study was to explore the genetic architecture of resistance to PD, using survival data collected from two unrelated populations of Atlantic salmon; one challenged with SAV as fry in freshwater (POP 1) and one challenged with SAV as post-smolts in sea water (POP 2). Analyses of the binary survival data revealed a moderate-to-high heritability for host resistance to PD in both populations (fry POP 1 h²~0.5; post-smolt POP 2 h²~0.4). Subsets of both populations were genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphism markers, and six putative resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified. One of these QTL was mapped to the same location on chromosome 3 in both populations, reaching chromosome-wide significance in both the sire- and dam-based analyses in POP 1, and genome-wide significance in a combined analysis in POP 2. This independently verified QTL explains a significant proportion of host genetic variation in resistance to PD in both populations, suggesting a common underlying mechanism for genetic resistance across lifecycle stages. Markers associated with this QTL are being incorporated into selective breeding programs to improve PD resistance.

Genomic predictions based on a joint reference population for the Nordic Red cattle breeds

The main aim of this study was to compare accuracies of imputation and genomic predictions based on single and joint reference populations for Norwegian Red (NRF) and a composite breed (DFS) consisting of Danish Red, Finnish Ayrshire, and Swedish Red. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data for NRF consisted of 2 data sets: one including 25,000 markers (NRF25K) and the other including 50,000 markers (NRF50K). The NRF25K data set had 2,572 bulls, and the NRF50K data set had 1,128 bulls. Four hundred forty-two bulls were genotyped in both data sets (double-genotyped bulls). The DFS data set (DSF50K) included 50,000 markers of 13,472 individuals, of which around 4,700 were progeny-tested bulls. The NRF25K data set was imputed to 50,000 density using the software Beagle. The average error rate for the imputation of NRF25K decreased slightly from 0.023 to 0.021, and the correlation between observed and imputed genotypes changed from 0.935 to 0.936 when comparing the NRF50K reference and the NRF50K-DFS50K joint reference imputations. A genomic BLUP (GBLUP) model and a Bayesian 4-component mixture model were used to predict genomic breeding values for the NRF and DFS bulls based on the single and joint NRF and DFS reference populations. In the multiple population predictions, accuracies of genomic breeding values increased for the 3 production traits (milk, fat, and protein yields) for both NRF and DFS. Accuracies increased by 6 and 1.3 percentage points, on average, for the NRF and DFS bulls, respectively, using the GBLUP model, and by 9.3 and 1.3 percentage points, on average, using the Bayesian 4-component mixture model. However, accuracies for health or reproduction traits did not increase from the multiple population predictions. Among the 3 DFS populations, Swedish Red gained most in accuracies from the multiple population predictions, presumably because Swedish Red has a closer genetic relationship with NRF than Danish Red and Finnish Ayrshire. The Bayesian 4-component mixture model performed better than the GBLUP model for most production traits for both NRF and DFS, whereas no advantage was found for health or reproduction traits. In general, combining NRF and DFS reference populations was useful in genomic predictions for both the NRF and DFS bulls.

Multiple C−H Bond Activation in Group 3 Chemistry: Synthesis and Structural Characterization of an Yttrium−Aluminum−Methine Cluster

Complete donor-induced alkylaluminate cleavage of halfmetallocene complex Cp*Y(AlMe4)2, that is, treatment of Cp*Y(AlMe4)2 with 2 equiv of diethyl ether, produces [Cp*Y(mu2-Me)2]3 in high yield (95%). In contrast, the equimolar reaction of Cp*Y(AlMe4)2 with diethyl ether reproducibly formed complex [Cp*4Y4(mu2-CH3)2{(CH3)Al(mu2-CH3)2}4(mu4-CH)2] in low yield (10-30%) via a multiple C-H bond activation. The synthesis of the heterooctametallic yttrium-aluminum-methine cluster was also accomplished in moderate yield (47%) by the equimolar reaction of discrete Cp*Y(AlMe4)2 and [Cp*Y(mu2-Me)2]3 in the absence of any donor solvent and "free" AlMe3. This gives strong evidence that preformed heterometal-bridged Y-CH3-Al moieties are prone to multiple hydrogen abstraction in the presence of a highly basic reagent such as [Cp*Y(mu2-Me)2]3. The monocylopentadienyl complexes [Cp*Y(mu2-Me)2]3 and [Cp*4Y4(mu2-CH3)2{(CH3)Al(mu2-CH3)2}4(mu4-CH)2] were structurally characterized.

Mixed Valence Mn(II)/Mn(III) [3 × 3] Grid Complexes: Structural, Electrochemical, Spectroscopic, and Magnetic Properties

Mn(II)9 grid complexes with a [Mn9(mu-O)12] core, obtained by self-assembly of a series of tritopic picolinic dihydrazone ligands with Mn(II) salts, have been oxidized by both chemical and electrochemical methods to produce mixed oxidation state systems. Examples involving [Mn(III)3Mn(II)6] and [Mn(III)4Mn(II)5] combinations have been produced. Structures are reported for [Mn9(2poap-2H)6](NO3)6.14H2O (1), [Mn9(2poap-2H)6](ClO4)10.10H2O (3), and [Mn9(Cl2poap-2H)6](ClO4)9.14H2O.3CH3CN (10). Structural studies show distinct contraction of the corner grid sites on oxidation, with overall magnetic properties consistent with the resulting changes in electron distribution. Antiferromagnetic exchange in the outer ring of eight metal centers creates a ferrimagnetic subunit, which undergoes antiferromagnetic coupling to the central metal, leading to S=1/2 (3) and S2/2 (10) ground states. Two moderately intense absorptions are observed on oxidation of the Mn(II) grids in the visible and near-infrared (1000 nm, 700 nm), associated with charge transfer transitions (LMCT, IVCT respectively). Compound 1 crystallized in the monoclinic system, space group P2 1/n, with a=21.308(2) A, b=23.611(2) A, c=32.178(3) A, beta=93.820(2) degrees . Compound 3 crystallized in the tetragonal system, space group I, with a=b=18.44410(10) A, c = 24.9935(3) A. Compound 10 crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P, with a=19.1150(10) A, b=19.7221(10) A, c=26.8334(14) A, alpha=74.7190(10) degrees, beta=77.6970(10) degrees, gamma=64.7770(10) degrees. The facile oxidation of the Mn(II)9 grids is highlighted in terms of their potential use as molecular based platforms for switching and data storage.

Copper(II) complexes of a series of alkoxy diazine ligands: mononuclear, dinuclear, and tetranuclear examples with structural, magnetic, and DFT studies

Picolyl hydrazide ligands have two potentially bridging functional groups (micro-O, micro-N-N) and consequently can exist in different coordination conformers, both of which form spin-coupled polynuclear coordination complexes, with quite different magnetic properties. The complex [Cu(2)(POAP-H)Br(3)(H(2)O)] (1) involves a micro-N-N bridge (Cu-N-N-Cu 150.6 degrees ) and exhibits quite strong antiferromagnetic coupling (-2J = 246(1) cm(-)(1)). [Cu(2)(PZOAPZ-H)Br(3)(H(2)O)(2)] (2) has two Cu(II) centers bridged by an alkoxide group with a very large Cu-O-Cu angle of 141.7 degrees but unexpectedly exhibits quite weak antiferromagnetic exchange (-2J = 91.5 cm(-)(1)). This is much weaker than anticipated, despite direct overlap of the copper magnetic orbitals. Density functional calculations have been carried out on compound 2, yielding a similar singlet-triplet splitting energy. Structural details are reported for [Cu(2)(POAP-H)Br(3)(H(2)O)] (1), [Cu(2)(PZOAPZ-H)Br(3)(H(2)O)(2)] (2), [Cu(2)(PAOPF-2H)Br(2)(DMSO)(H(2)O)].H(2)O (3), [Cu(4)(POMP-H))(4)](NO(3))(4).2H(2)O (4), and PPOCCO (5) (a picolyl hydrazide ligand with a terminal oxime group) and its mononuclear complexes [Cu(PPOCCO-H)(NO(3))] (6) and [Cu(PPOCCO-H)Cl] (7). Compound 1 (C(12)H(13)Br(3)Cu(2)N(5)O(4)) crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 15.1465(3) A, b = 18.1848(12) A, c = 6.8557(5) A, beta = 92.751(4) degrees, and Z = 4. Compound 2 (C(10)H(13)Br(3)Cu(2)N(7)O(4)) crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 9.14130(1) A, b = 10.4723(1) A, c = 10.9411(1) A, alpha = 100.769(1), beta = 106.271(1) degrees, gamma = 103.447(1) degrees, and Z = 2. Compound 3 (C(23)H(22)Br(2)Cu(2)N(7)O(5.5)S) crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 12.406(2) A, b = 22.157(3) A, c = 10.704(2) A, beta = 106.21(1) degrees, and Z = 4. Compound 4(C(52)H(48)Cu(4)N(20)O(18)) crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, with a = 14.4439(6) A, b = 12.8079(5) A, c = 16.4240(7) A, beta = 105.199(1) degrees, and Z = 4. Compound 5 (C(15)H(14)N(4)O(2)) crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pna2(1), with a = 7.834(3) A, b = 11.797(4) A, c = 15.281(3) A, and Z = 4. Compound 6(C(15)H(13)CuN(5)O(5)) crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 8.2818(9) A, b = 17.886(2) A, c = 10.828(1) A, beta = 92.734(2) degrees, and Z = 4. Compound 7 (C(15)H(13)CuClN(4)O(2)) crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pna2(1), with a = 7.9487(6) A, b = 14.3336(10) A, c = 13.0014(9) A, and Z = 4. Density functional calculations on PPOCCO are examined in relation to the anti-eclipsed conformational change that occurs on coordination to copper(II).

Supramolecular Mn(II) and Mn(II)/Mn(III) Grid Complexes with [Mn9(μ2-O)12] Core Structures. Structural, Magnetic, and Redox Properties and Surface Studies

A series of [3 x 3] Mn(II)(9), antiferromagnetically coupled, alkoxide-bridged, square grid complexes, derived from a group of "tritopic" dihydrazide ligands, is described. The outer ring of eight Mn(II) centers in the grids is isolated magnetically from the central Mn(II) ion, leading to an S = 0 ground state for the ring, and an S = 5/2 ground state overall in each case. Exchange in the Mn(II)(8) ring can be represented by a 1D chain exchange model. Rich electrochemistry displayed by these systems has led to the production of Mn(II)/Mn(III) mixed-oxidation-state grids by both electrochemical and chemical means. Structures are reported for [Mn(9)(2poap)(6)](C(2)N(3))(6).10H(2)O (1), [Mn(9)(2poap)(6)](2)[Mn(NCS)(4)(H(2)O)](2)(NCS)(8).10H(2)O (2), [Mn(9)(2poapz)(6)](NO(3))(6).14.5H(2)O (3), [Mn(9)(2popp)(6)](NO(3))(6).12H(2)O (4), [Mn(9)(2pomp)(6)](MnCl(4))(2)Cl(2).2CH(3)OH.7H(2)O (5), and [Mn(9)(Cl2poap)(6)](ClO(4))(9).7H(2)O (6). Compound 1 crystallized in the tetragonal system, space group P4(2)/n, with a = 21.568(1) A, c = 16.275(1) A, and Z = 2. Compound 2 crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 25.043(1) A, b = 27.413(1) A, c = 27.538(2) A, alpha = 91.586(2) degrees, beta = 113.9200(9) degrees, gamma = 111.9470(8) degrees, and Z = 2. Compound 3 crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 18.1578(12) A, b = 18.2887(12) A, c = 26.764(2) A, alpha = 105.7880(12) degrees, beta = 101.547(2) degrees, gamma = 91.1250(11) degrees, and Z = 2. Compound 4 crystallized in the tetragonal system, space group P4(1)2(1)2, with a = 20.279(1) A, c = 54.873(6) A, and Z = 4. Compound 5 crystallized in the tetragonal system, space group I, with a = 18.2700(2) A, c = 26.753(2) A, and Z = 2. Compound 6 crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 19.044(2) A, b = 19.457(2) A, c = 23.978(3) A, alpha = 84.518(3) degrees, beta = 81.227(3) degrees, gamma = 60.954(2) degrees, and Z = 2. Preliminary surface studies on Au(111), with a Mn(II) grid complex derived from a sulfur-derivatized ligand, indicate monolayer coverage via gold-sulfur interactions, and the potential for information storage at high-density levels.

Octanuclear and Nonanuclear Supramolecular Copper(II) Complexes with Linear “Tritopic” Ligands: Structural and Magnetic Studies

The structures and magnetic properties of self-assembled copper(II) clusters and grids with the "tritopic" ligands 2poap (a), Cl2poap (b), m2poap (c), Cl2pomp (d), and 2pomp (e) are described [ligands derived by reaction of 4-R-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic hydrazide (R = H, Cl, MeO) with 2-pyridinemethylimidate (a-c, respectively) or 2-acetylpyridine (d, R = Cl; e, R = H)]. Cl2poap and Cl2pomp self-assemble with Cu(NO(3))(2) to form octanuclear "pinwheel" cluster complexes [Cu(8)(Cl2poap-2H)(4)(NO(3))(8)].20H(2)O (1) and [Cu(8)(Cl2pomp-2H)(4)(NO(3))(8)].15H(2)O (2), built on a square [2 x 2] grid with four pendant copper arms, using "mild" reaction conditions. Similar reactions of Cl2pomp and 2pomp with Cu(ClO(4))(2) produce pinwheel clusters [Cu(8)(Cl2pomp-2H)(4)(H(2)O)(8)](ClO(4))(8).7H(2)O (3) and [Cu(8)(2pomp-2H)(4)(H(2)O)(8)](ClO(4))(8) (4), respectively. Heating a solution of 1 in MeOH/H(2)O produces a [3 x 3] nonanuclear square grid complex, [Cu(9)(Cl2poap-H)(3)(Cl2poap-2H)(3)](NO(3))(9).18H(2)O (5), which is also produced by direct reaction of the ligand and metal salt under similar conditions. Reaction of m2poap with Cu(NO(3))(2) produces only the [3 x 3] grid [Cu(9)(m2poap-H)(2)(m2poap-2H)(4)](NO(3))(8).17H(2)O (6) under similar conditions. Mixing the tritopic ligand 2poap with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (picd) in the presence of Cu(NO(3))(2) produces a remarkable mixed ligand, nonanuclear grid complex [Cu(9)(2poap-H)(4)(picd-H)(3)(picd-2H)](NO(3))(9).9H(2)O (7), in which aromatic pi-stacking interactions are important in stabilizing the structure. Complexes 1-3 and 5-7 involve single oxygen atom (alkoxide) bridging connections between adjacent copper centers, while complex 4 has an unprecedented mixed micro-(N-N) and micro-O metal ion connectivity. Compound 1 (C(76)H(92)N(44)Cu(8)O(50)Cl(4)) crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group I, with a = 21.645(1) A, c = 12.950(1) A, and Z = 2. Compound 2 (C(84)H(88)N(36)O(44)Cl(4)Cu(8)) crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group I, with a = 21.2562(8) A, c = 12.7583(9) A, and Z = 2. Compound 4 (C(84)H(120)N(28)O(66)Cl(8)Cu(8)) crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group I4(1)/a, with a = 20.7790(4) A, c = 32.561(1) A, and Z = 4. Compound 7(C(104)H(104)N(46)O(56)Cu(9)) crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 15.473(1) A, b = 19.869(2) A, c = 23.083(2) A, alpha = 88.890(2) degrees, beta = 81.511(2) degrees, gamma = 68.607(1) degrees, and Z = 2. All complexes exhibit dominant intramolecular ferromagnetic exchange coupling, resulting from an orthogonal bridging arrangement within each polynuclear structure.

Tips for the Radiologist: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis - An overview

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