VETERINARY MEDICINE: Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs (DCM).

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs (DCM). Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common acquired heart diseases in dogs. This disease is rarely diagnosed in cats or small-breed dogs; however, it is a common cause of heart disease in large and giant breed dogs, and usually occurs more in those that are middle- to older-aged. DCM is a condition where the heart muscle (myocardium) loses its ability contract normally and as effectively . Although DCM can affect both sides of the heart simultaneously or separately, myocardial failure of the left side is most common. Since the heart muscle cannot work as efficiently to pump blood out of the heart, blood backs up within the heart chambers and the heart enlarges in size. If pressures on the left side of the heart become significantly high as a result of increased blood volume, left-sided congestive heart failure or pulmonary edema (fluid within the lungs) can result. Although less common, myocardial failure of the right side of the heart can also occur. Similar volume overload of the right heart may result in right-sided congestive heart failure, often resulting in excessive free-fluid in the abdomen (ascites) and/or chest (pleural effusion). A familial or genetic component is believed to exist in the majority of cases. This is because of the prevalence of the disease in specific breeds such as the Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane and Boxer. The signs of DCM vary depending on the breed of dog and stage of the disease. Loss of appetite, pale gums, increased heart rate, coughing, difficulty breathing, periods of weakness, and fainting are signs commonly seen. Since blood (plasma) is being backed up into the lungs, respiratory signs are usually due to pulmonary edema and/or heart enlargement. Blood returning to the right side of the heart from the body may also back up leading to fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) or in the chest cavity (pleural effusion). Weakness or collapse may be caused by abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and poor distribution of blood (depressed cardiac output). Treatment is tailored based on clinical presentation of each individual patient.

Genetically Modified Children: New Film Unveils the ‘Monstrous’ Child Deformities Caused by Agrochemicals in Argentina.

Genetically Modified Children: New Film Unveils the ‘Monstrous’ Child Deformities Caused by Agrochemicals in Argentina. The shocking film "Genetically Modified Children" unveils the horrors of decades of chemical-intensive agricultural practices in Argentina, where the majority of crops are genetically modified (GM) and routinely doused in dangerous agrochemicals, and the chokehold big tobacco companies such as Philip Morris and chemical and seed giants have on poverty-stricken farmers desperate to earn a living. The film, produced by Juliette Igier and Stephanie Lebrun, shows the devastating health effects the region's agricultural sector is having on children,1 an increasing number of whom are being born with monstrous physical deformities. Some of the children's cases are so severe that, without a medical intervention, will result in death before the age of 5. The film begins with the crew traveling from North Argentina in the Province of Misiones to the Brazilian frontier, an agricultural region that was one of the nation's first to begin growing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the mid-'90s. Featured in the film is Ricardo Rivero, regional head of the local electricity company. He learned that the reason families cannot pay their bills is because often they are taking care of a sick or handicapped child, and receive no assistance from the Argentinian government. The film shows them visiting the humble home of a tobacco farmer where they meet Lucas Texeira, a 5-year-old boy with an incurable genetic skin disease. The family believes it was caused by the mother's exposure to Monsanto's Roundup weedkiller early on in her pregnancy. No one told her it was toxic, she says. The genetic mutation that caused her son's condition left him with no pores in his skin, which means he doesn't perspire. The heat from his body stays inside, causing him severe and painful itching that leads to frequent crying spells. Mr. Texeira expresses his sadness over Lucas' condition, as well as his fears that he could have another child in the future with a similar deformity.

GENE EDITING AND PIG CASTRATION.

GENE EDITING AND PIG CASTRATION. Male piglets used for pork production are routinely castrated to improve the quality of meat for consumers.

Castration gets rid of boar taint, an unpleasant odor and unsavory taste in the meat. For decades, castration has been done surgically. But new breeding technology can produce male piglets that never reach puberty.

 Tad Sonstegard is the chief scientific officer of Acceligen, a company that focuses on genetic improvement in food animals. He says these piglets will come from the company DNA Genetics. "Those males will have had to have been rescued from being infertile, and then they would just breed sows that also had been rescued and the offspring between the breeding of those two rescued genetic lines would result in sterile males and females, we believe," he says.

"Those are what would be sold from the multiplier sites out to the swine producers." The technology will make a piglet’s life a little easier – and the producer’s as well. GENE EDITING AND PIG CASTRATION.

Blinding canine eye disease.

Blinding canine eye disease.Discovery for a blinding canine eye disease reveals an unprecedented mode of inheritance.A new gene for canine congenital eye disease has been identified. Defective RBP4 leads to vitamin A deficiency and abnormal eye development during pregnancy. The study defines a novel recessive mode of maternal inheritance, which may underlie other types of birth defects. Collaborating research groups from the University of Helsinki, UC Davis and the University of Jyväskylä describe a new genetic cause for canine congenital eye disease in Irish Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers. The affected dogs suffer from bilateral microphthalmia i.e. very small eyes and anatomical defects, resulting in incurable blindness. Similar findings are seen in the Microphthalmia-Anophthalmia-Coloboma (MAC) spectrum of human congenital eye malformations, which are important causes of childhood blindness. RBP4 defect leads to vitamin A deficiency -- a known risk factor for eye diseases. The study demonstrates a novel recessive mode of genetic inheritance, which has not described before. The researchers discovered that the dam's genotype determines the puppy's disease risk as both the dam and puppy must be homozygous for the mutation to manifest the disease.As a part of the research, a DNA test has been developed for veterinary diagnosis and breeding purposes. DNA testing is important for breeders to avoid producing more blind dogs. The test can identify carriers and allow better breeding plans.

Agriculture: using banana stems as sanitary pads.

Agriculture is the 21st century goldmine,with various innovative ideas and projects coming up to improve lives. Agriculture has intervened in various facets of economy by providing alternate sources of various raw materials through improved farming methods and most especially by turning waste to wealth. New agricultural techniques has seen impressive innovations from utilizing hitherto waste materials to money spinning products. Bananas has proved to be an all encompassing product with its suckers in various in various industries.Bananas are of tremendous health benefits and are in high demand in food processing companies.They are also in the petroleum industry where they are used as bio fuels. The fibers are used for clothing,paper,mats,cushion and sanitary pads. Agriculture has shown that no part of the banana is useless. Advances in agriculture has also produced improved varieties of bananas that are tastier,mature faster and produce more in a small land space. The waste to wealth innovation using agricultural products has created jobs, increased wealth of farmers ,expanded markets and increase trade relations between countries. Bananas have also impacted education of girls in developing countries by the use of the stems for sanitary pads. A lot of girls in developing countries miss school because of the menstrual flow,because they cannot afford sanitary towels,thereby sourcing alternatives which are not necessarily hygienic. The production of sanitary pads from banana stems has put an end to absentism in school as cheap pads are available for them. Learn how to make sanitary pads using banana stems ;

GENETICALLY MODIFIED BULLS TO BOOST FOOD SECURITY.

 The coolweirdo.com shows how genetic selection and experiments with the Belgian Blue has produced a humongous species of bulls packed with muscles and meat.

The reason these animals are getting so big is due to a very big genetic defect of a faulty myostatin gene, which is responsible for the gigantic size and double muscling.

  This amazing super species of cattle is known to have more than 40% additional muscle mass. They gain weight very fast, and produce high protein milk for their calf. Exploiting the rapid growth rate may provide an inroad to food security.

Genetically Engineering Algae for Better Biofuel.

The simplest way to make biofuel from algae is to essentially wring out the natural oils and refine them, much like petroleum. Genetic engineering can make this process more efficient. For example, scientists with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography figured out how to curb an enzyme that breaks down the lipids in algae that are crucial for making biofuel. Typically, algae growers “starve” the algae to boost lipid production, but that inhibits growth. The genetically engineered algae can grow quickly while still accumulating lots of lipids. In 2009, a Boeing 737 powered partly by algae took off from Houston and circled over the Gulf of Mexico. The 90-minute test flight was a success, bolstering hopes that algae biofuels, which emit much less carbon than standard gasoline and diesel, could soon power everything from jets to cars. But scientists have struggled to find a way to produce and process algae cheaply enough to compete with petroleum fuel. Now, thanks to advances in genetic engineering, filling up your car with algae-derived biofuel is a step closer to reality. Algae can also be used for biomanufacturing: Microscopic algae are turned into a living machine that can be genetically programmed to produce molecules like lipids and hydrocarbons ideally suited for biofuels. “If you just squeeze the oil out of algae, what you basically get is vegetable oil, which you can convert to diesel,” says Stephen Mayfield, a molecular biologist at the University of California, San Diego. “But because we have complete control of genetics now, we have all the technology to make [algae into] some kind of fancy photosynthetic machine.” Mayfield is using genetically engineered algae only to make drugs and nutritional supplements. But if oil prices rise enough for algae fuels to be cost effective, scientists hope to use what they’ve learned from that process to make biofuels that are both clean and profitable. Read more; http://discovermagazine.com/

Using GM crops, genetically chosen cows, and technology like satellites and drones: Uruguay wants to feed 50 million people.

using GM crops, genetically chosen cows, and technology like satellites and drones, Uruguay - with a population of just 3 million people - is aiming to produce enough food to feed 50 million. e

Uruguay is a traditional exporter of agricultural commodities. It has a well-developed agro-industry and livestock sector that mainly draws on Uruguay's wealth of natural and agricultural resources. Agricultural exports include beef, fine wool, rice, grain, dairy products and honey.

DNA KIT FOR DOGS TO ANALYSE DISEASE RISK AND TRACE GENETIC TREE.

A startup is kicking off and its using dog's saliva in its tool to give dog owners the disease of their breeds and trace the pedigree.The startup called EMBARK is a DNA KIT that will give information to owners about disease risk and also trace ancestry. The company founders rolling out the product says the real objective is that the research will help to conduct various tests with the DNA samples and use the potential of dog genetics to deliver advancements in human health. Dogs and humans share many of the same kinds of conditions, hence by studying the genetics of diseases in dogs, scientists may be able to figure out how these originate in humans. The kit by engaging mass numbers of dog owners, will provide data that will unlock the potential of the dog as a model system and that is the real idea behind Embark. The founders have figured out that it’s a lot easier to fund research if study participants — or their owners — pay for the privilege of taking part in a study. Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine has already agreed to be an Embark research partner, and the company intends to conduct its own studies, under the guidance of Adam Boyko, Embark's chief science officer, a dog geneticist at Cornell University, and Ryan’s brother. This kit will provide a framework for breeders and dog owners and will also be an important planning tool in terms of insurance.Client education about various diseases ,management and life expectancy of certain conditions will really help to address issues of breeding and animal welfare. The snag about this test will be the limiting of certain breeds and excessive breeding of other breeds which will over time phase out some breeds. # data bank #gene pool # gene bank # breeders # genetics.

FOOD SECURITY.

Food security refers to the availability of food in required quantities,quality and the ease of access. The accessibility can be categorized on basis of affordability, availability and ease of purchase. 

The onus of food security is on producers,their rate of production coupled with the price has a lot of impact on the way food is accessed. 

 The agricultural sector is weighed down by so many factors that makes production unstable and inaccessible.

These factors are: 

 1) Inadequate land for growing crops and rearing livestock.

 2) Cost of production . 

3)Storage /processing 

4) Transportation. 

 Land is the basic capital needed for production,hence the value it adds to production cost cannot be overemphasized.

The production of food to cater for the growing population can only be achieved if other methods of production are practiced. 

 Food security will entail using innovative measures to produce crops and rear animals.The use of genetics hampers on this production methods by using seed improvement and modified seeds and also new planting techniques such as hydroponics.

This will not only ensure a rapid harvest but also reduce the cost of production as many crops can be planted in a column in smaller spaces. 

 The issue of using genetically superior breeds also valuable in livestock,if superior breeds are reared more products will be accessed from them within a shorter time at reduced cost of production.

 Feeding accounts for about 75% of production cost,thus if cheaper methods of feeding are embraced then more products will be available.

The use of fodder system is a good initiative with health benefits not only for the animals but also for man. 

The inclusion of greens into diet such as water hyacinth,seaweeds and even watermelon has shown increase body weight within a short time .The use of insects and worms also have added benefits to growth and development of the animals.

 Feed fermentation is also another method to reduce cost of feeding as the animal will require about 1/2 of the original ration in fermented form,and also the feed will be a source of probiotics thus maintaining intestinal health and preventing diseases which invariably reduces costs as antibiotic inclusion is not necessary.Substitution of local feed stuff in feed rations also reduce cost.

Fermentation in poultry feed results in bigger eggs with thick shells and chicken with bigger carcass weight. 

   Storage and processing methods also play a role in food security, with better processing techniques more food will be stored and less food lost and discarded as waste.    Innovations such as extraction/extrusion machines, milling machines, klins for drying e.t.c coupled with proper packaging and storage will extend shelve-life of products.

 Transportation: this factor can hinder all other factors of production if the products need to travel long distances before they are available for sale.This can be adjusted by strategic locations of production points near markets.

  The transportation chain must provide easy access from farm to stores or from farm to processing and storage centers. The growing population will require innovations to ensure that more food is produced,its readily available and affordable.

BIOTECH AND MERS VACCINE.

Cows like these could create antibodies that would combat the MERS virus, which currently has no treatment suggests a research in Science Translational Medicine. More than 1,600 people worldwide have been infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome/ MERS, and complications from it have resulted in nearly 600 deaths. In the last three years since scientists identified the disease, they haven’t been able to discover a way to treat or prevent infection. Now a team of international researchers has used genetically modified cows to create antibodies that combat the disease, which could mean that a vaccine might soon be possible. Though infected camels are thought to be the initial source of MERS, most animals, such as cows and mice, aren’t affected by the virus. In earlier studies, scientists have used cows to better understand human immunity, so for this experiment researchers decided to tweak the cows’ genomes slightly so that they carry a human chromosome. That genetic code enabled the cows to create MERS-specific proteins called antibodies that “tag” potentially dangerous cells to be eliminated by the immune system. When the researchers exposed the cows to low doses of the MERS virus, their immune systems created antibodies tailored to the human form of the disease, allowing their bodies to launch a full immune response. The researchers wanted to make sure the antibodies worked, so they conducted this experiment: In a petri dish, the antibodies extracted from the cows’ blood attacked MERS cells. Then, mice that were genetically modified to be affected by MERS were protected from infection as they were given a dose of the antibodies before and after exposure to the virus. Because these antibodies have not yet been tested in humans, the researchers can’t be sure that they will be quite so effective, or that they won’t cause an averse immune reaction in patients. The researchers hope to test them in humans in the near future, but they think the cow antibodies are a promising candidate to vaccinate people at risk against MERS.tibodies tailored to the human form of the disease, allowing their bodies to launch a full immune response. Excerpts from popular science.

THE GGR BREEDING MODEL BY SIAMPIGS.

RBI Agri

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Webinar Improve Pig Productivity How to improve pig productivity? Can it be achieved by applying multi-phase feeding? Or choosing different climate solutions or perhaps looking at pig genetics? Find out ...

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Webinar Improve Pig Productivity

How to improve pig productivity? Can it be achieved by applying multi-phase feeding? Or choosing different climate solutions or perhaps looking at pig genetics? Find out more on February 9.

When aiming at the improvement of pig productivity, many solutions are usually focused on enhancing animal nutrition. After all, how could one more directly influence productivity than through feed? What is certain, however, is that there is a host of other options available as well. That is where our search begins on February 9. Pig Progress shall highlight several of these strategies in an exclusive webinar, brought to you live from Amsterdam, the Netherlands (CET 11.00 -12.00 am). The following speakers shall be sharing their views:

	1. Product Manager Pigs Ludo Bosschaerts: International, independent research has proven that multi-phase feeding produces better feed conversion ratio’s (FCR) and has a positive impact on average daily gain (ADG). A better retention of nutrients in the body has been found and a significant reduction in the production of manure, resulting in a lower expulsion of ammonium gasses into the environment. This Roxell concept results in a high return on investment.
	2. Merete Lyngbye, Master of Engineering, PhD, Director for Livestock Segment at Munters will speak about climate solutions to improve pig producers economy and environmental footprint.
	3. Benny van Haandel. Director/consultant at E-barn Solutions will give a presentation titled ‘Are our current pig genetics future proof?’ “How do new developments in various areas and markets affect the required characteristics of future top performing pigs?” ”

Hosted by Vincent ter Beek, editor of Pig Progress, the live webinar offers you the opportunity to exchange ideas with experts in real time.

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9

February 2016

starts at 11:00 AM CET

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RBI Agri webinars

FOOD SECURITY THROUGH GENETIC IMPROVEMENT.

Food security can be achieved on a global scale if production processes are subjected to improved stock using genetically proven animals.

The way to harness the advantages in using genetically proven lines include; selective breeding,rearing and cross breeding to develop strains/lines that can produce more in the desired country.

There are various breeds of chicken,cattle,pigs that are proven and can adapt and survive in the country.

Genetics play a pivotal role in food security either by selective breeding, genetic engineering, gene mapping and coding and artificial insemination.
The improved strain will produce faster within a short time thus extending production cycles. Seed improvement is also relevant in food security, where genetically modified seeds produce better crops that are disease resistant .

Ordinary seeds can also be improved by using agricultural supplements that enables the crops to grow,flourish and ready for harvest within a shorter time. The use of technology in food security cannot be overemphasized as the introduction of biotech to food production is of immense benefits.

The springing up of bio-crops allows farming even in areas where there is much pressure on the land,thus availing the urban farmer an opportunity to participate in food security.

 Cultivating advanced planting techniques such as hydroponics,aeroponics and aquaponics , also enables farming in areas where land is an issue.

Fruits and vegetables are planted in columns,using nutrient media instead of soil. Vegetables can also be reared alongside fishes in the aquaponics to enhance food security.

Improving genetic resources through gene bank management.

The European Commission has selected the IMAGE project (Innovative Management of Animal Genetic Resources) for grant preparation and funding by the Horizon-2020 programme. The aim of IMAGE is to upgrade animal gene bank management and to enhance the use of genetic collections. IMAGE will enhance the accessibility of collection information and will improve the quality of gene bank collections. Genetic diversity in gene bank collections and live populations will be analysed using dense SNP marker and sequence information. Cryoconservation and reproduction technologies; Methods and software for better conservation and use of genetic diversity will be further improved making use of dense marker information. Besides genetic aspects, IMAGE will also further improve cryoconservation and reproduction technologies for different farm animal species. Strengthening of gene bank infrastructure; A variety of stakeholders (gene banks, breeding organisations, science, NGOs) participate in IMAGE. The IMAGE project is very important for strengthening of the gene bank infrastructure in Europe and for the conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources at European level. The importance of gene banks and gene pools cannot be overemphasized; it plays a key role in food security as very proven strains and traits are passed down to subsequent generations.Genetic engineering, gene typing, artificial insemination and synchronization of estrus all are vital to the food security drive. Read more here;http://www.pigprogress.net/Breeding/Genetics-Al/2015/12/Improving-genetic-resources-through-gene-bank-management-2732874W/

World's first IVF puppies born to surrogate mother dog!!!

The world's first "test tube" puppies have been born after years of attempts, say scientists in the US.The in-vitro fertilisation success paves the way for conserving endangered breeds and could help in the fight against human and animal diseases, say researchers at Cornell University. The seven beagle and cross-bred beagle-spaniel puppies were born to a surrogate mother. They were from the same litter but have three sets of parents. Frozen embryos were implanted in a female dog using techniques similar to those used in human fertility clinics. Problems with freezing embryos have caused difficulties in the past, but the group say they have perfected this and other techniques. Lead researcher Dr Alex Travis, from Cornell's college of veterinary medicine, said: "We have seven normal happy healthy puppies."He added: "Since the mid-1970s, people have been trying to do this in a dog and have been unsuccessful."Now we can use this technique to conserve the genetics of endangered species." The researchers say IVF is a powerful tool to help endangered species of dog such as the African wild dog. It could also be used in the study of inherited human and dog diseases.Dogs share many similar diseases with humans - almost twice as many as for any other species. Dr Travis said the work was an important milestone. "In vitro fertilisation is a really powerful tool to help preserve endangered species of dog," he told the BBC. "IVF is also important for the health of our pets because it opens up the possibility that we could identify certain genes that cause disease and then fix those." The puppies were born in the summer. Their existence was kept secret until the findings were formally announced to the scientific world this week. They have reportedly been named Ivy, Cannon, Beaker, Buddy, Nelly, Red and Green, and all but one has gone to a new home. The research, published in the journal PLoS One, has been described as a "major step forward" in medicine. Prof David Argyle, head of the school of veterinary medicine at the University of Edinburgh, which was not part of the study, said the new techniques would help understanding of inherited diseases in both dogs and people. "Importantly, it is becoming apparent that dogs and humans share many common biology, diseases and syndromes, and it is likely that these new techniques could have significant benefit for the study of human diseases as well as canine diseases," he added. Story credit; BBC.