Angiotensin-converting-enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism, ACE activity, and COVID-19: A rather controversial hypothesis. A case-control study.

Accumulating data has shown a contribution of the renin-angiotensin system in COVID-19 pathogenesis. The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism as a risk factor in developing COVID-19 disease comes from epidemiological data and is controversially discussed. We conducted a retrospective case-control study and assessed the impact of ACE I/D genotype in COVID-19 disease prevalence and severity.

Genetic differentiation of mainland-island sheep of Greece: Implications for identifying candidate genes for long-term local adaptation.

In Greece, a number of local sheep breeds are raised in a wide range of ecological niches across the country. These breeds can be used for the identification of genetic variants that contribute to local adaptation. To this end, 50k genotypes of 90 local sheep from mainland Greece (Epirus, n = 35 and Peloponnesus, n = 55) were used, as well as 147 genotypes of sheep from insular Greece (Skyros, n = 21), Lemnos, n = 36 and Lesvos, n = 90).

Allele and genotype frequencies of the gene polymorphism associated with canine degenerative myelopathy in Belgian Malinois dogs in Greece.

Background And Aim: Canine degenerative myelopathy (CDM) is an adult-onset fatal disorder associated with a point mutation of the superoxide dismutase 1 () gene (). This study aimed to determine the allele and genotype frequencies of this mutation in a group of Belgian Malinois dogs in Greece.

Materials And Methods: Samples (n=72) of whole blood were collected from 72 purebred dogs of the Hellenic Armed Forces; these samples were processed for DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, and digestion with the restriction endonuclease .

Detection of loci exhibiting pleiotropic effects on body weight and egg number in female broilers.

The objective of the present study was to discover the genetic variants, functional candidate genes, biological processes and molecular functions underlying the negative genetic correlation observed between body weight (BW) and egg number (EN) traits in female broilers. To this end, first a bivariate genome-wide association and second stepwise conditional-joint analyses were performed using 2586 female broilers and 240 k autosomal SNPs. The aforementioned analyses resulted in a total number of 49 independent cross-phenotype (CP) significant SNPs with 35 independent markers showing antagonistic action i.

Clustering patterns mirror the geographical distribution and genetic history of Lemnos and Lesvos sheep populations.

Elucidating the genetic variation and structure of Lemnos and Lesvos sheep is critical for maintaining local genetic diversity, ecosystem integrity and resilience of local food production of the two North Aegean islands. In the present study, we explored genetic diversity and differentiation as well as population structure of the Lemnos and Lesvos sheep. Furthermore, we sought to identify a small panel of markers with the highest discriminatory power to assign animals across islands.

Deciphering the mode of action and position of genetic variants impacting on egg number in broiler breeders.

Background: Aim of the present study was first to identify genetic variants associated with egg number (EN) in female broilers, second to describe the mode of their gene action (additive and/or dominant) and third to provide a list with implicated candidate genes for the trait. A number of 2586 female broilers genotyped with the high density (~ 600 k) SNP array and with records on EN (mean = 132.4 eggs, SD = 29.

Discovery and characterization of functional modules associated with body weight in broilers.

Aim of the present study was to investigate whether body weight (BW) in broilers is associated with functional modular genes. To this end, first a GWAS for BW was conducted using 6,598 broilers and the high density SNP array. The next step was to search for positional candidate genes and QTLs within strong LD genomic regions around the significant SNPs.

Combined GWAS and 'guilt by association'-based prioritization analysis identifies functional candidate genes for body size in sheep.

Background: Body size in sheep is an important indicator of productivity, growth and health as well as of environmental adaptation. It is a composite quantitative trait that has been studied with high-throughput genomic methods, i.e.

Genome-wide population structure and evolutionary history of the Frizarta dairy sheep.

In the present study, we used genomic data, generated with a medium density single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) array, to acquire more information on the population structure and evolutionary history of the synthetic Frizarta dairy sheep. First, two typical measures of linkage disequilibrium (LD) were estimated at various physical distances that were then used to make inferences on the effective population size at key past time points. Population structure was also assessed by both multidimensional scaling analysis and k-means clustering on the distance matrix obtained from the animals' genomic relationships.

Sequencing analysis of the human glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) gene in multiple sclerosis patients.

Various specific human glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) gene polymorphisms have been described in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and correlated with disease progression, susceptibility and aggressiveness. Herein, we investigated the presence of gene alterations in the entire coding region of the NR3C1 in MS patients of variable clinical status (CIS, RRMS and SPMS) and the association(s) of these alterations with severity of disease (EDSS), response to glucocorticoid (GC) treatment and clinical improvement. Sixty Caucasian Greek MS patients were included.

Severe maternal undernutrition and post-weaning behavior of rabbits.

The objective of the present experiment was to investigate the implications of severe maternal undernutrition on the post-weaning behavior of rabbits. Thirty two does were randomly assigned to four groups: the control group (C) that was fed 100% of the recommended energy maintenance requirements throughout pregnancy and lactation and the U1, U2 and U3 groups that were fed 50% of the recommended energy maintenance requirements between the 6th and the 19th day of pregnancy, between the 20th and the 27th day of pregnancy and between the 3rd and the 10th day of lactation, respectively. At the age of 50 and 65 days, behavior of rabbits in cages was recorded and rabbits were further subjected to an open-field test; a paradigm used as an indicator of fear and emotional distress.

Meta-analysis of selenium accumulation and expression of antioxidant enzymes in chicken tissues.

A meta-analysis integrating results of 40 selenium (Se) supplementation experiments that originated from 35 different controlled randomized trials was carried out in an attempt to identify significant factors that affect tissue Se accumulation in chicken. Examined factors included: Se source (12 different sources examined), type of chicken (laying hens or broilers), age of birds at the beginning of supplementation, duration of supplementation, year during which the study was conducted, sex of birds, number of chickens per treatment, method of analysis, tissue type, concentration of Se determined and Se added to feed. A correlation analysis was also carried out between tissue Se concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity.

Short communication: Oxidative status and incidence of mastitis relative to blood α-tocopherol concentrations in the postpartum period in dairy cows.

Vitamin E supplementation, when combined with high blood α-tocopherol (>6.25 μg/mL) at dry off, has been reported to unexpectedly increased the risk for clinical mastitis in dairy cows. Furthermore, higher levels of oxidative stress in the postpartum period were related to higher risk of mastitis.

Effects of caponization on growth performance, carcass composition and meat quality of males of a layer line.

The present experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of caponization on growth, carcass composition and meat quality of males of a layer line reared until the 34th week of age. Two hundred and fifty males of a layer line were purchased and randomly divided in two equal groups: intact males and capons. Caponization was conducted at 45 days of age.

Modulation of intestinal mucin composition and mucosal morphology by dietary phytogenic inclusion level in broilers.

The effect of a dietary phytogenic feed additive (PFA) inclusion level in mucin monosaccharide composition, mucosal morphometry and mucus histochemistry along the broiler intestinal tract was studied. Cobb male broilers (n = 525) were allocated into five experimental treatments that, depending on the type of addition in the basal diet (BD), were labeled as follows: C (BD based on maize-soybean meal with no other additions), E1 (80 mg PFA/kg BD), E2 (125 mg PFA/kg BD), E3 (250 mg PFA/kg of BD) and A (2.5 mg avilamycin/kg BD).

Genetic analysis of sexual dimorphism of body weight in broilers.

Variation in sexual dimorphism (SD) is particularly marked in meat-type chickens. This paper investigates the genetic basis of SD in an important economic trait, i.e.

Dietary probiotic inclusion level modulates intestinal mucin composition and mucosal morphology in broilers.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary probiotic inclusion level on mucin composition (monosaccharide ratio), mucosal morphometry, mucus layer staining intensity, and mucus layer thickness along the broiler intestinal tract. One-day-old male Cobb broilers were administered maize-soybean meal basal (BD) diets for 42 d and depending on the feed additive used, broilers were allocated into the following 5 experimental treatments: control C (BD, no additive), treatment P1 (10(8) colony forming units of probiotic/kg of BD), treatment P2 (10(9) cfu of probiotic/kg of BD), treatment P3 (10(10) cfu of probiotic/kg of BD), and treatment A (2.5 mg avilamycin/kg of BD).

Effects of caponization on fat metabolism-related biochemical characteristics of broilers.

A two-trial experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of caponization on fat metabolism-related biochemical characteristics of broilers. Male Redbro broilers were purchased, caponized at 3 weeks and reared until either the 18th (Trial 1) or the 24th (Trial 2) week. In Trial 1, five slaughters were performed at 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 weeks of age while in Trial 2 one slaughter at the end of the experiment (24 weeks).

Effects of caponization on growth performance, carcass composition, and meat quality of medium growth broilers.

A 2-trial experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of caponization on growth performance, carcass composition, and meat quality of medium growing broilers. Male chicks were caponized at 3 wk of age and reared until either 18 (trial 1) or 24 (trial 2) wk of age. In trial 1, the experimental groups included intact males, sham-operated chickens, and capons, whereas trial 2 comprised only intact males and capons.

Short communication: study of immune parameters in three Greek dairy sheep breeds during the periparturient period.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether immunosuppression occurs in 3 different Greek dairy sheep breeds during the periparturient period. A total of 33 ewes from 3 breeds [i.e.

Reduction in glucocorticoid receptors in renal biopsies of patients with lupus nephritis.

Objectives: The first-line treatment for lupus nephritis is the administration of glucocorticoids (GC) that mediate their effects via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of GR protein in the cortical area of renal parenchyma of normal and diseased renal biopsies from treated and untreated patients.

Design And Methods: The immunohistochemical EnVision/HRP technique was performed on renal tissue to detect GR protein.

Factors affecting the plasmin-plasminogen system in milk obtained from three Greek dairy sheep breeds with major differences in milk production capacity.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of breed, stage of lactation, and health status of the udder on the plasmin-plasminogen system in ovine milk. A total of 38 ewes were used from 3 breeds [Boutsiko (n = 12), Chios (n = 12), and a synthetic breed (50% Boutsiko, 25% Arta, and 25% Chios, n = 14)] with major differences in their genetic potential with respect to milk yield. Milk samples were collected every 2 wk throughout the lactation period and were analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, and somatic cell count (SCC).

HLA alleles as predisposal factors for postmenopausal osteoporosis in a Greek population.

It is well established that genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, a common condition characterized by reduced bone mass and increased fracture risk. The major histocompatibility complex in humans, known as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region, is the most polymorphic human genetic system and it is known as a cluster of genetic markers, associated with several diseases. In order to evaluate the contribution of HLA alleles in bone mass loss, polymorphisms in the HLA class I (-A, -B and -Cw) and class II (-DR and -DQ) antigens were studied in 126 postmenopausal women of Greek origin.

Glucocorticoid receptor, nuclear factor kappaB, activator protein-1 and C-jun N-terminal kinase in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Objective: Due to the crucial role of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB), activator protein-1 (AP-1) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in regulating inflammatory mediators and immune responses, we investigated their potential role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Patients And Methods: Whole cell and nuclear extracts from peripheral blood lymphocytes, isolated from 25 SLE patients and 25 controls, were immunoblotted using GR, p65/NFkappaB, c-fos and JNK1 antibodies. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) assessed GR, NFkappaB and AP-1-DNA binding in nuclear aliquots.