Genomic diversity of the locally developed Latvian Darkheaded sheep breed.

The Latvian Darkheaded is the only locally developed sheep breed. The breed was formed at the beginning of the 20th century by crossing local coarse-wooled sheep with the British Shropshire and Oxfordshire breeds. The breed was later improved by adding Ile-de-France, Texel, German blackheads, and Finnsheep to achieve higher prolificacy and better meat quality.

Genetic characterization of the Latvian local goat breed and genetic traits associated with somatic cell count.

The Latvian local goat (LVK) breed represents the only native domestic goat breed in Latvia, but its limited population places it within the endangered category. However, the LVK breed has not yet undergone a comprehensive genetic characterization. Therefore, we completed whole genome sequencing to reveal the genetic foundation of the LVK breed while identifying genetic traits linked to the somatic cell count (SCC) levels.

Genomic Characterization and Initial Insight into Mastitis-Associated SNP Profiles of Local Latvian Breeds.

Latvia has two local breeds-Latvian Brown (LBG) and Latvian Blue (LZG)-characterized by a good adaptation to the local climate, longevity, and high fat and protein contents in milk. Since these are desired traits in the dairy industry, this study investigated the genetic background of the LBG and LZG breeds and identified the genetic factors associated with mastitis. Blood and semen samples were acquired, and whole genome sequencing was then performed to acquire a genomic sequence with at least 35× or 10× coverage.

Abundance and prevalence of ESBL coding genes in patients undergoing first line eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori.

The spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in nosocomial and community-acquired enterobacteria is an important challenge for clinicians due to the limited therapeutic options for infections that are caused by these organisms. Here, we developed a panel of ESBL coding genes, evaluated the abundance and prevalence of ESBL encoding genes in patients undergoing H. pylori eradication therapy, and summarized the effects of eradication therapy on functional profiles of the gut microbiome.

Oral Microbiome Traits of Type 1 Diabetes and Phenylketonuria Patients in Latvia.

Some metabolic disorder treatments require patients to follow a specific diet or to consume supplements that, over time, can lead to oral microbiome alterations. Well-known disorders requiring such treatment are phenylketonuria (PKU), an inborn error of amino acid metabolism, and type 1 diabetes (T1D), a metabolic disorder that requires a specific diet regimen. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the oral health and microbiome characteristics that might contribute to caries activity and periodontal disease risk in PKU and T1D patients.