Augmented Partial Diallel Design for Estimating Combining Ability of Parents

The Augmented Partial Diallel Cross (APDC) represents an intermediate position between the Complete Diallel Cross (CDC) and the Partial Diallel Cross (PDC) in which one or more primary lines are crossed with all the other lines but the lines of secondary interest form a PDC system. The method of sampling adopted for crosses of secondary lines is from arrangement of secondary lines on circumference of a circle. The mathematics for analysis of such APDC has been given systematically. The efficiency of estimates of general combining ability (g.c.a.) effects obtained from APDC has been compared with that of Pederson's estimator and CDC. It is observed that there are four types of variances for g.c.a. effects where as for comparing specific combining ability (s.c.a.) effects there are large number of variances indicating that the design is totally unbalanced for s.c.a. comparisons.     

Pathogenicity of avian mycoplasma serotypes for embryonated chicken eggs.

Forty-seven strains of avian mycoplasma, representing 8 serotypes (A, B, C, E, L, M, P and R) were tested for pathogenicity to embryonated chicken eggs. Serotypes A and R were distinctly pathogenic, serotype C was slightly pathogenic wheras serotypes B, E, L, M and P were non-pathogenic.     

Evidence for activation of inflammatory lipoxygenase pathways in visceral adipose tissue of obese Zucker rats

Central obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation that promotes type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in obese individuals. The 12- and 5-lipoxygenase (12-LO and 5-LO) enzymes have been linked to inflammatory changes, leading to the development of atherosclerosis. 12-LO has also been linked recently to inflammation and insulin resistance in adipocytes. We analyzed the expression of LO and proinflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue and adipocytes in obese Zucker rats, a widely studied genetic model of obesity, insulin resistance, and the metabolic syndrome. mRNA expression of 12-LO, 5-LO, and 5-LO-activating protein (FLAP) was upregulated in adipocytes and adipose tissue from obese Zucker rats compared with those from lean rats. Concomitant with increased LO gene expression, the 12-LO product 12-HETE and the 5-LO products 5-HETE and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) were also increased in adipocytes. Furthermore, upregulation of key proinflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-6, TNFα, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were observed in adipocytes isolated from obese Zucker rats. Immunohistochemistry indicated that the positive 12-LO staining in adipose tissue represents cells in addition to adipocytes. This was confirmed by Western blotting in stromal vascular fractions. These changes were in part reversed by the novel anti-inflammatory drug lisofylline (LSF). LSF also reduced p-STAT4 in visceral adipose tissue from obese Zucker rats and improved the metabolic profile, reducing fasting plasma glucose and increasing insulin sensitivity in obese Zucker rats. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, LSF abrogated the inflammatory response induced by LO products. Thus, therapeutic agents reducing LO or STAT4 activation may provide novel tools to reduce obesity-induced inflammation.