Biological and genetic aspects of wild x domestic hybridization in wild boar and wolf populations

Nowadays, hybridization is recognized as a powerful evolutionary force promoting speciation and shaping adaptation, but also as a serious threat to the conservation of biodiversity. This thesis is focused on two cases of hybridization between wild and domestic conspecifics, whose effects are mostly unexplored. In Sus scrofa, I sought to expand knowledge about hybridization between wild boar and domestic pig. I investigated the main sources of domestic genes introgression, and assessed hybridization at neutral markers and functional genes at both local and European scale. I also developed a set of new uniparental markers for studying male-specific gene flow, and studied the reproductive phenology of wild populations. In Canis lupus, I investigated patterns of hybridization between wolf and domestic dog in an Italian mountain area, focusing on the assessment of introgression and the food habits of hybrids. As regards wild boar, I detected introgression all over Europe, also highlighting the role of breeding stations in spreading domestic genes across wild populations. With respect to wolf, a new approach was used to provide complementary (genetic and phenotypic) data on specific individuals and to support hybrid identification. A trophic niche overlap between wolves and hybrids was also proved. These studies can have relevant management implications, offering new elements of knowledge on different aspects of the hybridization in two worrisome species of the Italian fauna

Trophic overlap between wolves and free-ranging wolf × dog hybrids in the Apennine Mountains, Italy

Hybridization between wolves (Canis lupus) and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) can represent a threat to wild populations via genetic introgression and ecological competition. Therefore understanding the ecological role of hybrids may be crucial for developing appropriate conservation strategies. The Italian wolf population has a peculiar genetic composition due to a long-lasting geographic isolation. Nowadays, however, its genetic integrity is threatened by the spread of canine genes as a result of the hybridization with stray dogs in the wild. The aim of the present study was to gain insights into the ecological role of free-ranging wolf–dog hybrids by investigating their winter food habits in comparison with wolves in a mountain area of Central Italy. Levels of genetic introgression from the dogs were assessed in two adjacent areas occupied by up to five different packs by analyzing non-invasive samples and carcasses collected therein with a set of uniparental and bi-parental molecular markers. The obtained results enabled us to classify the two areas as 'hybrid' and 'wolf' areas based on their level of genetic introgression. Trophic niche and similarity/dissimilarity analyses did not detect significant difference in the diet between the two areas: in both of them, wild boar was the main prey, followed by roe deer. Furthermore, the same age/body mass classes of the two ungulates were selected by wolves and hybrids. Our findings confirmed wolf–dog hybrids as potential competitors for wolves. Further studies on other aspects of their biology and ecology are recommended in order to better estimate the impact of hybridization on natural wolf populations

Towards the fabrication of sintered IDEAL-Cells by tape casting, wet powders spraying and screen printing

The realization of complete anode supported cells reproducing the IDEAL-Cell concept was approached by standard and inexpensive ceramic processes like tape casting, screen printing and wet powder spraying. Both commercial and custom powders were employed to build-up layers for button cells (1 inch footprint) and larger (5?5 cm2) substrates. This paper reports the details of the slurries formulation as well as the deposition parameters and sintering conditions. Resulting microstructural features are also presented together with an outlook on future steps of the activit

An Epidemiological and biomolecular survey of cystic echinococcosis in cattle in Sardinia

Although Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is still a health, economic and social problem of great importance in Sardinia today, not all aspects of it have been studied, and in particular its epidemiology in cattle. This note updates the epidemiological data on Bovine CE in Sardinia, and with the help of advances made in biomolecular taxonomy identifies the strains of Echinococcus granulosus in cattle

Detection and Characterization of CD8+ Autoreactive Memory Stem T Cells in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

Stem memory T cells (Tscm) constitute the earliest developmental stage of memory T cells, displaying stem cell–like properties, such as self-renewal capacity. Their superior immune reconstitution potential has sparked interest in cancer immune therapy, vaccine development, and immune reconstitution, whereas their role in autoimmunity is largely unexplored. Here we show that autoreactive CD8+ Tscm specific for β-cell antigens GAD65, insulin, and IGRP are present in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In vitro, the generation of autoreactive Tscm from naive precursors required the presence of the homeostatic cytokine interleukin-7 (IL-7). IL-7 promotes glucose uptake via overexpression of GLUT1 and upregulation of the glycolytic enzyme hexokinase 2. Even though metabolism depends on glucose uptake, the subsequent oxidation of pyruvate in the mitochondria was necessary for Tscm generation from naive precursors. In patients with T1D, high expression of GLUT1 was a hallmark of circulating Tscm, and targeting glucose uptake via GLUT1 using the selective inhibitor WZB117 resulted in inhibition of Tscm generation and expansion. Our results suggest that autoreactive Tscm are present in patients with T1D and can be selectively targeted by inhibition of glucose metabolism