In livestock social interactions, social genetic effects (SGE) represent associations between phenotype of one individual and genotype of another. Such associations occur when the trait of interest is affected by transmissible phenotypes of social partners. The aim of this study was to estimate SGE and direct genetic effects (DGE, genetic effects of an individual on its own phenotype) on average daily gain (ADG) in Landrace pigs, and to conduct single-step genome-wide association study using SGE and DGE as dependent variables to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and their positional candidate genes. A total of 1,041 Landrace pigs were genotyped using the Porcine SNP 60K BeadChip. Estimates of the two effects were obtained using an extended animal model. The SGE contributed 16% of the total heritable variation of ADG. The total heritability estimated by the extended animal model including both SGE and DGE was 0.52. The single-step genome-wide association study identified a total of 23 QTL windows for the SGE on ADG distributed across three chromosomes (i.e., SSC1, SSC2, and SSC6). Positional candidate genes within these QTL regions included PRDM13, MAP3K7, CNR1, HTR1E, IL4, IL5, IL13, KIF3A, EFHD2, SLC38A7, mTOR, CNOT1, PLCB2, GABRR1, and GABRR2, which have biological roles in neuropsychiatric processes. The results of biological pathway and gene network analyses also support the association of the neuropsychiatric processes with SGE on ADG in pigs. Additionally, a total of 11 QTL windows for DGE on ADG in SSC2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 17 were detected with positional candidate genes such as ARL15. We found a putative pleotropic QTL for both SGE and DGE on ADG on SSC6. Our results in this study provide important insights that can help facilitate a better understanding of the molecular basis of SGE for socially affected traits.

Microsatellite markers have been a useful genetic tool in determining diversity, relationships and individual discrimination studies of livestock. The level of genetic diversity, relationships among two Korean indigenous chicken brand populations (Woorimatdag: WR, Hanhyup3: HH) as well as two pure populations (White Leghorn: WL, Rhode Island Red: RIR) were analyzed, based on 26 MS markers. A total of 191 distinct alleles were observed across the four chicken populations, and 47 (24.6%) of these alleles were unique to only one population. The mean HExp and PIC were estimated as 0.667 and 0.630. Nei's DA genetic distance and factorial correspondence analysis (FCA) showed that the four populations represented four distinct groups. However, the genetic distance between each Korean indigenous chicken brand (WR, HH) and the pure population (WL, RIR) were threefold that among the WR and HH. For the STRUCTURE analyses, the most appropriate number of clusters for modeling the data was determined to be three. The expected probabilities of identity among genotypes of random individuals (PI) were calculated as 1.17×10-49 (All 26 markers) and 1.14×10 -15 , 7.33×10 -20 (9, 12 with the highest PI value, respectively). The results indicated that the brand chicken breed traceability system employing the own highest PI value 9 to 12 markers, and might be applicable to individual identification of Korean indigenous chicken brand.

A Korean synthetic pig breed, Woori-Heukdon (WRH; F3), was developed by crossing parental breeds (Korean native pig [KNP] and Korean Duroc [DUC]) with their crossbred populations (F1 and F2). This study in genome-wide assessed a total of 2,074 pigs which include the crossbred and the parental populations using the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip. After quality control of the initial datasets, we performed population structure, genetic diversity, and runs of homozygosity (ROH) analyses. Population structure analyses showed that crossbred populations were genetically influenced by the parental breeds according to their generation stage in the crossbreeding scheme. Moreover, principal component analysis showed the dispersed cluster of WRH, which might reflect introducing a new breeding group into the previous one. Expected heterozygosity values, which were used to assess genetic diversity, were .365, .349, .336, .330, and .211 for WRH, F2, F1, DUC, and KNP, respectively. The inbreeding coefficient based on ROH was the highest in KNP (.409), followed by WRH (.186), DUC (.178), F2 (.107), and F1 (.035). Moreover, the frequency of short ROH decreased according to the crossing stage (from F1 to WRH). Alternatively, the frequency of medium and long ROH increased, which indicated recent inbreeding in F2 and WRH. Furthermore, gene annotation of the ROH islands in WRH that might be inherited from their parental breeds revealed several interesting candidate genes that may be associated with adaptation, meat quality, production, and reproduction traits in pigs.

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Purpose: To analyze the clinical and radiologic results of treatments in proximal femoral fracture with Proximal Femoral Nail-Antirotation (PFNA). Materials and Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the results of 21 cases of proximal femoral fracture treated with PFNA from September 2006 to October 2007 which could be followed up for minimum of more than a year. The mean age was 61.5 (20∼88) years old. Male were involved in 12 cases, female in 9 cases. The mean follow up was 14.3 (12∼18) months. The Garden alignment index, Cleveland index, tip apex distance were evaluated by post-operative radiologic evaluation and complications of bone union, failure of internal fixation and deformity were evaluated by follow up radiologic findings. Clinical results were assessed by social function score of Jensen and mobility score of Parker and Palmer at last follow up. Results: All fractures were united and the mean time to bone union was 15.7 (13∼18) weeks. Garden alignment index showed good results of above 'good' in 15 cases (71.4%), Cleveland index showed 14 cases (66.4%) positioning in zone 5 and tip apex distance showed 17.81 (±5.65∼27.52) mm in radiologic findings. The mean sliding of blade was 1.32 (0.34∼2.94) mm in follow up radiologic findings and fracture of distal locking screw area was found in 1 case as a complication. Among 21 cases, the function before injury was completely recovered in 15 cases (71.4%) which were assessed by social function score of Jensen and 13 cases (61.9%) by mobility score of Parker and Palmer. Conclusion: We think that PFNA is effective osteosynthetic device for proximal femur fracture with satisfactory radiologic and clinical outcomes.

There is convincing evidence that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays an important role in heart failure (HF), from the events that result in its inception through advanced disease. In particular, RAAS activation is one of the major pathways involved in maladaptive cardiac remodeling, a process that results in progressive cardiac dysfunction. Not surprisingly, strategies targeting the RAAS have substantial benefits in HF. These therapies, which include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and aldosterone receptor antagonists, have emerged as cornerstones of HF therapy, particularly in patients with systolic dysfunction. Their role in HF with preserved ejection fraction, however, is less certain. New information and approaches targeting RAAS activation continue to emerge. Direct renin inhibitors are hypothesized to have beneficial effects in HF, but further studies are needed to evaluate their efficacy.

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