The SNPs A2967G and G3044A were organized into 4 haplotypes, which formed 7 diplotypes. Association analysis showed that the diplotypes were not significantly associated with meat quality traits. Our results implied that associations do exist between MyoD1 gene polymorphisms and meat quality traits in domestic pigeons, and the AA and AB genotypes could be applied as genetic markers in marker-aid pigeon breeding. 2019, Japan Poultry Science Association.Recently in Japan, approximately six million quails were primarily being reared for commercial egg production. It is believed that almost all commercial quails in the country became extinct during World War II, and that the present commercial gene pool was restored from the limited number of surviving birds. The present study evaluates the genetic diversity within and differentiation between 12 laying-type Japanese quail lines on the basis of 45 microsatellite genotypes. The mean number of alleles per locus and the expected heterozygosity within a quail line were 5.22-5.69 and 0.601-0.618, respectively. These results showed that laying-type quail lines in the present study exhibited a higher degree of genetic diversity than experimental quail lines in a previous study.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/tolebrutinib-sar442168.html  Pairwise genetic differentiations (F ST) between lines were significant but weak (F ST=0.0028-0.0254; 57.6%), and no significant differentiations were found between the remainder. This was also confirmed by genetic clustering analyses, in which individuals did not form independent clusters consistent with their line origins. The results of the present study indicate relatively high genetic diversity within and no clear genetic differentiation between laying-type quail lines. Absence of genetic differentiation may reflect the breeding history of laying-type quails. 2019, Japan Poultry Science Association.With global warming, heat stress is becoming a pressing concern worldwide. In chickens, heat stress reduces food intake and growth, and increases body temperature and stress responses. Although it is believed that young chicks do not experience heat stress as they need a higher ambient temperature to survive, our series of studies in young chicks showed that they are sensitive to heat stress. This review summarizes current knowledge on amino acid metabolisms during heat stress, with special emphasis on the hypothermic functions of l-citrulline (l-Cit) and l-leucine (l-Leu), and the functions of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in terms of body temperature and heat stress regulation in chicks. Amino acid metabolism is severely affected by heat stress. For example, prolonged heat stress reduces plasma l-Cit in chicks and l-Leu in the brain and liver of embryos. l-Cit and l-Leu supplementation affords thermotolerance in young chicks. NPY expression is increased in the brains of heat-exposed chicks. NPY has a hypothermic action under control thermoneutral temperature and heat stress in chicks. The NPY-sub-receptor Y5 is a partial mediator of the hypothermic action of NPY. Further, NPY stimulates brain dopamine concentrations and acts as an anti-stress agent in heat-exposed fasted, but not fed chicks. In conclusion, young chicks can serve as a model animal for the study of heat stress in chickens. l-Cit, l-Leu, and NPY were identified as biomarkers of heat stress, with the potential to afford thermotolerance in chicks. 2019, Japan Poultry Science Association.Background Distraction osteogenesis to correct deformity and limb-length discrepancy was defined by Ilizarov. Traditional distraction osteogenesis was made with circular external fixators or monolateral fixators commonly for deformity, and external fixators was related with pin site infections and pain due to soft-tissue transfixation. Nowadays, bone lengthening method is used with different intramedullary nail systems for cosmetic purposes. Methods From 2011 until 2018, a total of 9 patients (6 males and 3 females16 femoral, 2 tibial), with constitutional short stature, to whom the intramedullary nail lengthening technique for cosmetic purposes had been applied, were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age was 28.3 while the mean height before the lengthening was 151 cm. Result The mean lengthening gained in all patients were 8.7 cm. The mean follow-up period was 22 ± 11 months while the healing index with normal bone healing was 46.8 ± 16 months/cm. Complications that we noted were; insufficient bone regeneration (n = 2), quadriceps contracture (n = 1), proximal locking screw runaway (n = 1). Conclusion Bone lengthening for aesthetic purposes with different nail systems can be very safe and beneficial to the patients improving their social capabilities and self-confidence. Yet, patients should be well informed about the complications and risks of the lengthening surgery. © 2020 Professor P K Surendran Memorial Education Foundation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Introduction The Masquelet technique based on induced membrane is performed in two stages, first with generally an external fixator which is more and more relayed by an internal fixator. The aim of this study is to assess the results of stabilization by using intramedullary nailing from the first stage. Patients and methods Nine patients were treated for a bone defect concerning 8 femurs and one tibia. The mean size of bone defect was 9.25 cm. It was secondary to a fracture (6 case) with bone defect and two septic and aseptic pseudarthrosis. In all cases the nailing was performed at the first stage of Masquelet. Prior to cement delivery, the site was thoroughly cleaned with iterative excisions as needed. Blood count control, normal CRP and negative culture were required before cement delivery. The cement was placed around the nail and encased the bony extremity. In the second stage, after removal of the cement, the defect was fulfilled by a mixture of cortico-cancellous autogenous graft taken from the iliac crest and phosphocalcic bone substitute. The nail was not changed in any patient. In post operative the mobilization of the above and underlying joints was immediate. Results No sepsis was detected before the second time. Early weight bearing was allowed on average at the end of the 2 nd month. Total bearing without support was allowed at a mean of 5.5 months. All patients have consolidated. One patient had a shortening of 2.35 cm. The mean follow-up was 46.1 months. The average period to effective return to work was 21 months. Conclusion The nailing performed at the first stage of the induced membrane technique (IMT) gives good results. This modification does not seem to increase the risk of infection. These good results deserve to be confirmed by other studies to confirm the interests of associating nailing to IMT from the first stage. © 2019 Professor P K Surendran Memorial Education Foundation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.