A multivariate gametic model for the analysis of purebred and crossbred data. An example between two populations of Iberian pigs

Crossbreeding plays a pivotal role within pig breeding programmes, aiming to maximize heterosis and improve reproductive traits in crossbred maternal lines. Nevertheless, there is evidence indicating that the performance of reciprocal crosses between two genetic lines might exhibit variability. These variations in performance can be attributed to differences in the correlations between gametic effects, acting as either sire or dam, within purebred and crossbred populations. To address this issue, we propose a multivariate gametic model that incorporates up to four correlated gametic effects for each parental population. The model is employed on a data set comprising litter size data (total number of piglets born-TNB- and number of piglets born alive-NBA-) derived from a reciprocal cross involving two Iberian pig populations: Entrepelado and Retinto. The data set comprises 6933 records from 1564 purebred Entrepelado (EE) sows, 4995 records from 1015 Entrepelado × Retinto (ER) crosses, 2977 records from 756 Retinto × Entrepelado (RE) crosses and 7497 records from 1577 purebred Retinto (RR) sows. The data set is further supplemented by a pedigree encompassing 6007 individual-sire-dam entries. The statistical model also included the order of parity (with six levels), the breed of the service sire (five levels) and the herd-year-season effects (141 levels). Additionally, the model integrates random dominant and permanent environmental sow effects. The analysis employed a Bayesian approach, and the results revealed all the posterior estimates of the gametic correlations to be positive. The range of the posterior mean estimates of the correlations varied across different gametic effects and traits, with a range between 0.04 (gametic correlation between the paternal effects for purebred and the maternal for crossbred in Retinto) and 0.53 (gametic correlation between the paternal effects for purebred and the paternal for crossbred in Entrepelado). Furthermore, the posterior mean variance estimates of the maternal gametic effects were consistently surpassed those for paternal effects within all four populations. The results suggest the possible influence of imprinting effects on the genetic control of litter size, and underscore the importance of incorporating crossbred data into the breeding value predictions for purebred individuals.

Oleacein and Oleocanthal: Key Metabolites in the Stability of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The oxidative stability of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) depends on its composition, primarily, phenolic compounds and tocopherols, which are strong antioxidants, but also carotenoids, squalene, and fatty acids contribute. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of malaxation conditions and olive storage on the composition of 'Corbella' EVOO produced in an industrial mill to determine which parameters and compounds could give more stable oils. Although a longer malaxation time at a higher temperature and olive storage had a negative effect on the content of α-tocopherol, squalene, flavonoids, lignans, phenolic acids, and phenolic alcohols, the antioxidant capacity and oxidative stability of the oil were improved because of an increase in the concentration of oleacein (56-71%) and oleocanthal (42-67%). Therefore, these two secoiridoids could be crucial for better stability and a longer shelf life of EVOOs, and their enhancement should be promoted. A synergistic effect between secoiridoids and carotenoids could also contribute to EVOO stability. Additionally, 'Corbella' cultivar seems to be a promising candidate for the production of EVOOs with a high oleic/linoleic ratio. These findings signify a notable advancement and hold substantial utility and significance in addressing and enhancing EVOO stability.

Design of a Multisensory Device for Tomato Volatile Compound Detection Based on a Mixed Metal Oxide-Electrochemical Sensor Array and Optical Reader

Insufficient control of tomato ripening before harvesting and infection by fungal pests produce large economic losses in world tomato production. Aroma is an indicative parameter of the state of maturity and quality of the tomato. This study aimed to design an electronic system (TOMATO-NOSE) consisting of an array of 12 electrochemical sensors, commercial metal oxide semiconductor sensors, an optical camera for a lateral flow reader, and a smartphone application for device control and data storage. The system was used with tomatoes in different states of ripeness and health, as well as tomatoes infected with Botrytis cinerea. The results obtained through principal component analysis of the olfactory pattern of tomatoes and the reader images show that TOMATO-NOSE is a good tool for the farmer to control tomato ripeness before harvesting and for the early detection of Botrytis cinerea.

A Bayesian Multivariate Gametic Model in a Reciprocal Cross with Genomic Information: An Example with Two Iberian Varieties

INGA FOOD, S.A. initiated a crossbreeding program between two Iberian pig varieties, Retinto (R) and Entrepelado (E), with the goal of producing a hybrid sow (F1). Several studies have been conducted to evaluate its productive performance, and these studies have revealed differences in litter size between the two reciprocal crosses, suggesting the presence of genomic imprinting effects. To further investigate these effects, this study introduces a multivariate gametic model designed to estimate gametic correlations between paternal and maternal effects originating from both genetic backgrounds involved in the reciprocal crosses. The dataset consisted of 1258 records (the total number born-TNB and the number born alive-NBA) from 203 crossbred dams for the Entrepelado (sire) × Retinto (dam) cross and 700 records from 125 crossbred dams for the Retinto (sire) × Entrepelado (dam) cross. All animals were genotyped using the GeneSeek^® GPP Porcine 70 K HDchip (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). The results indicated that the posterior distribution of the gametic correlation between paternal and maternal effects was distinctly different between the two populations. Specifically, in the Retinto population, the gametic correlation showed a positive skew with posterior probabilities of 0.78 for the TNB and 0.80 for the NBA. On the other hand, the Entrepelado population showed a posterior probability of a positive gametic correlation between paternal and maternal effects of approximately 0.50. The differences in the shape of the posterior distribution of the gametic correlations between paternal and maternal effects observed in the two varieties may account for the distinct performance outcomes observed in the reciprocal crosses.

Phase I, multicenter, open-label study of intravenous VCN-01 oncolytic adenovirus with or without nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine in patients with advanced solid tumors

BACKGROUND

VCN-01 is an oncolytic adenovirus (Ad5 based) designed to replicate in cancer cells with dysfunctional RB1 pathway, express hyaluronidase to enhance virus intratumoral spread and facilitate chemotherapy and immune cells extravasation into the tumor. This phase I clinical trial was aimed to find the maximum tolerated dose/recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of the intravenous delivery of the replication-competent VCN-01 adenovirus in patients with advanced cancer.

METHODS

Part I: patients with advanced refractory solid tumors received one single dose of VCN-01. Parts II and III: patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma received VCN-01 (only in cycle 1) and nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (VCN-concurrent on day 1 in Part II, and 7 days before chemotherapy in Part III). Patients were required to have anti-Ad5 neutralizing antibody (NAbs) titers lower than 1/350 dilution. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses were performed.

RESULTS

26% of the patients initially screened were excluded based on high NAbs levels. Sixteen and 12 patients were enrolled in Part I and II, respectively: RP2D were 1×1013 viral particles (vp)/patient (Part I), and 3.3×1012 vp/patient (Part II). Fourteen patients were included in Part III: there were no DLTs and the RP2D was 1×1013 vp/patient. Observed DLTs were grade 4 aspartate aminotransferase increase in one patient (Part I, 1×1013 vp), grade 4 febrile neutropenia in one patient and grade 5 thrombocytopenia plus enterocolitis in another patient (Part II, 1×1013 vp). In patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma overall response rate were 50% (Part II) and 50% (Part III). VCN-01 viral genomes were detected in tumor tissue in five out of six biopsies (day 8). A second viral plasmatic peak and increased hyaluronidase serum levels suggested replication after intravenous injection in all patients. Increased levels of immune biomarkers (interferon-γ, soluble lymphocyte activation gene-3, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10) were found after VCN-01 administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with VCN-01 is feasible and has an acceptable safety. Encouraging biological and clinical activity was observed when administered in combination with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine to patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02045602.

Room Temperature Nanoencapsulation of Bioactive Eicosapentaenoic Acid Rich Oil within Whey Protein Microparticles

In this study, emulsion electrospraying assisted by pressurized gas (EAPG) has been performed for the first time to entrap ca. 760 nm droplets of the bioactive eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-rich oil into whey protein concentrate (WPC) at room temperature. The submicron droplets of EPA oil were encapsulated within WPC spherical microparticles, with sizes around 5 µm. The EPA oil did not oxidize in the course of the encapsulation performed at 25 °C and in the presence of air, as corroborated by the peroxide value measurements. Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and oxygen consumption tests confirmed that the encapsulated EPA-rich oil showed increased oxidative stability in comparison with the free oil during an accelerated oxidation test under ultraviolet light. Moreover, the encapsulated EPA-rich oil showed increased thermal stability in comparison with the free oil, as measured by oxidative thermogravimetric analysis. The encapsulated EPA-rich oil showed a somewhat reduced organoleptic impact in contrast with the neat EPA oil using rehydrated powdered milk as a reference. Finally, the oxidative stability by thermogravimetric analysis and organoleptic impact of mixtures of EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-loaded microparticles was also studied, suggesting an overall reduced organoleptic impact compared to pure EPA. The results here suggest that it is possible to encapsulate 80% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)-enriched oils by emulsion EAPG technology at room temperature, which could be used to produce personalized nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals alone or in combination with other microparticles encapsulating different PUFAs to obtain different targeted health and organoleptic benefits.

Shoot iron status and auxin are involved in iron deficiency-induced phytosiderophores release in wheat

BACKGROUND

The release of phytosiderephores (PS) to the rhizosphere is the main root response to iron (Fe) deficiency in graminaceous plants. We have investigated the role of the Fe status in the shoot as well as of the signaling pathways controlled by three relevant phytoregulators - indolacetic acid (IAA), ethylene and nitric oxide (NO) - in the regulation of this root response in Fe-starved wheat plants. To this end, the PS accumulation in the nutrient solution and the root expression of the genes encoding the nicotianamine aminotransferase (TaNAAT) and ferritin (TaFER) have been evaluated in plants subjected to different treatments.

RESULTS

The application of Fe to leaves of Fe-deficient plants prevented the increase in both PS root release and TaNAAT gene expression thus showing the relevant role of the shoot to root communication in the regulation of PS root release and some steps of PS biosynthesis. Experiments with specific hormone inhibitors showed that while ethylene and NO did not positively regulate Fe-deficiency induced PS root release, auxin plays an essential role in the regulation of this process. Moreover, the application of IAA to Fe-sufficient plants promoted both PS root release and TaNAAT gene expression thus indicating that auxin might be involved in the shoot to root signaling network regulating Fe-deficiency root responses in wheat.

CONCLUSIONS

These results therefore indicate that PS root release in Fe-deficient wheat plants is directly modulated by the shoot Fe status through signaling pathways involving, among other possible effectors, auxin.