Are non-invasive brain stimulation techniques effective in the treatment of chronic pain? – A Cochrane Review Summary with commentary

Missing (Cochrane Corner

Preliminary association analysis of microsatellites and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in the native Garfagnina goats

Paratuberculosis disease occurs with high frequency in many places of the world and it is a chronic infection of ruminants, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). The objective of this study was to investigate the association between MAP-resistant or MAP-susceptible goats and short tandem repeats (STR) markers. Blood samples were collected from 48 adult goats (27 positive and 21 negative) of the Italian native Garfagnina goat breed from a single flock that had experienced annual mortalities due to MAP infection. Diagnosis was achieved by serological tests and by post-mortem examination of affected animals. To investigate possible genetic influences on susceptibility or resistance of goats to MAP disease, 12 STR markers were used. For each marker, allele and genotypes frequencies between MAP-positive and MAP-negative groups of animals were compared using the chi-square test and Fisher's exact tests. In this study, two microsatellite loci SRCRSP05 and ETH10 were associated with the disease playing an interesting role in the susceptibility or resistance to the disease. Although the present study should be considered preliminary, our results reveal for the first time that two microsatellite loci were associated with the development of lesions due to MAP in the Garfagnina goat breed

Studio, realizzazione e test clinici di un sistema tattile per un giocattolo sensorizzato per neonati

La bioingegneria del neurosviluppo è un’area di ricerca interdisciplinare che comprende la bioingegneria e le neuroscienze dello sviluppo. Essa mira allo sviluppo di nuove metodologie e strumenti per effettuare un’analisi quantitativa, modellizzando i comportamenti umani durante il neuro-sviluppo per studiarne gli eventuali disordini. Questo lavoro di tesi mira alla realizzazione di un dispositivo meccatronico atto alla valutazione di principali pattern di movimenti in bambini normali in condizioni sia naturali che di laboratorio in modo da stabilire standard sui quali sia possibile valutare pattern anomali. Il dispositivo scelto è un giocattolo a forma di palla. Questo lavoro di tesi si concentra sullo sviluppo del sistema tattile esterno. Sono stati scelti come sensori tattili i Quantum Tunneling Composites (QTC): una tecnologia recente basata su un polimero flessibile che ha la capacità di variare la propria conducibilità in base alla forza applicata. Una prima parte del lavoro ha riguardato la caratterizzazione meccanica e elettrica di questi sensori. Successivamente, una volta messo a punto il prototipo sono stati effettuati test clinici preliminari con bambini dai 7 ai 36 mesi al fine di valutare sia l’accettabilità del dispositivo da parte dei bambini, sia la sensibilità e l’adeguatezza del sistema tattile sviluppato

Evaluation of the trend of the inbreeding from 1970 to 2011 in the Bracco Italiano dog breed

The Bracco Italiano is one of the oldest pointing dog breed, used for hunting ever since the Renaissance time. In this study we analysed the pedigree information to evaluate the trend of the inbreeding of the breed in the course of time since 1970 to 2011. Pedigree records of 24,613 animals were considered. 16,832 dogs were inbreds. The average inbreeding coefficient in the reference population (23,997 animals) resulted 4.1%, while the average inbreeding of the inbreds was 6%. The inbreeding coefficient was <0.05 in 9849 dogs (58.51%) whereas it was >0.20 in 623 dogs (2.53%). The percentage of inbreds per year increased from 2.44% in 1976-1980 to 100% in 2003. 16 traced generations were highlighted. The evolution of inbreeding indicates a steady increase over time, from a mean value of 0.5% for dogs born in 1979, to an average value of 7.6% in dogs born in 2011. Nevertheless a regular monitoring of genetic variability of the population is important and must be adopted, in order to avoid the danger of an excessive increase of inbreeding in the future, which would result in significant inbreeding depression and in significant loss of genetic variation

Morphometric analysis of fat globules in ewe's milk and correlation with qualitative parameters

In this study the morphometric characteristics of fat globules from ewe’s milk have been correlated with the chemicaland technological parameters of the milk.Milk samples were taken from twenty-five Massese ewes, subdivided according to the parity; the animals were homogeneousfor lactation phase and diet. The morphometric analysis of fat globules (n./ml, diameter, surface area/volume),the standard chemical analysis, SCC and determination of the rheological parameters were performed on milk samplesobtained during the morning milking.The mean number of fat globules/ml was 3.09 x 109, with a mean diameter of 3.93 μm, ranging from 1.20 μm to 12.30μm. For all parities, a fat globule diameter ranging from 3.21 to 4.20 μm was found most frequently. Animals in the firstlambing order showed a significantly lower percentage (5.26%) of large globules (>5.21μm), while animals in the fifthlambing order showed a higher percentage (20.75%). The number of globules/ml was negatively correlated to milk production(P≤0.01) and curd firmness at 45 min (P≤0.05); whereas it was positively correlated to protein content, non-fatdry matter, and curd firming time (P≤0.05). Fat globule dimensions varied according to the parity of the animals andinfluenced various qualitative parameters of the milk

Da Altopascio a San Miniato: Cartografia, GIS e Virtual Landscaping

L’analisi del tratto di 30 Km di via Francigena compreso tra San Miniato ed Altopascio risulta scientificamente interessante per il notevole valore storico e culturale dei paesaggi che attraversa. L’itinerario proposto ne “ripercorre” virtualmente il percorso, rivelando, attraverso uno studio degli usi e delle coperture del suolo, l’aspetto del territorio durante il XIX secolo, poco prima delle grandi trasformazioni novecentesche. Riscopriamo così la città di Fucecchio affiancata dall’omonimo Padule, il bellissimo Ponte a Cappiano che regolava il flusso delle acque palustri, l’area boschiva delle Cerbaie e la struttura di assistenza dello Spedale di Altopascio. Grazie all’utilizzo combinato di fonti storiche cartografiche di alta qualità (Catasto Leopoldino) e di strumenti informatici tipici della moderna analisi geografica (GIS, globi virtuali, software per la modellizzazione 3D), si è cercato così di favorire una conoscenza del territorio che tenga conto delle dinamiche e dei valori storici sedimentati nelle forme attuali di questa parte preziosa del palinsesto paesaggistico toscano.The analysis of the 30 km stretch of theVia Francigena between San Miniato and Altopascio is scientifically interesting for the remarkable historical and cultural value of the landscapes it passes through. The proposed route will virtually “retrace” its trails and, through a study of the uses and coverings of the soil, will display the appearance of the area during the 19th century, shortly before the profound transformations which occurred in the Twentieth century. Thus, the city of Fucecchio and the Padule (marshes) by the same name nearby, the beautiful Ponte a Cappiano, which regulated the flow of the marsh waters, the woodlands of Cerbaie, and the charitable institution of the Spedale (ospice) in Altopascio will be rediscovered. Thanks to the combined use of historical high-quality cartographic sources (Catasto Leopoldino) and modern analytic equipment (GIS, virtual globes, 3D modeling software), we tried to promote a knowledge of the area which took into account the dynamics and historical values ​​which underlie in the present forms of this valuable part of the Tuscan landscape heritage

Genetic variability of meat quality traits in Chianina beef cattle

The heritability of quality traits (chemical composition, colour, tenderness and water-holding capacity) of the meat derivingfrom three muscles (Triceps brachii, Longissimus dorsi and Semitendinosus) was evaluated in 92 young Chianinabulls. The animals were raised on two farms with different feeding programs, and were slaughtered at approximately 19months of age. Single pair correlations were considered in order to evidence the relationships between the same traitsdetected in the three muscles and between all the traits of the same muscle.The h2 values range from 0.00 to 0.24 for the chemical composition, from 0.00 to 0.19 for colour parameters, from 0.03to 0.31 for those observed after 48 h, and from 0.00 to 0.08 for tenderness and water-holding capacity. The values werenot homogeneous for the three muscles. The most heritable trait was yellowness (b*48) in all three muscles, with valuesof 0.11 in the Longissimus dorsi, 0.23 in the Semitendinosus, and 0.31 in the Triceps brachii. Conversely, tendernessappeared to have a low heritability, as did the parameters relating to the water-holding capacity. Colour traitsobserved before and after 48 h of storage generally were significantly and positively correlated, indicating that certaincolour characteristics are maintained even after 48 h of storage. There was not always a close relationship between thetraits of each muscles: significant correlations existed between the Triceps brachii and the Longissimus dorsi muscles,confirming the similar quality traits of their meat, while there were considerable differences between these muscles andthe Semitendinosus

Genetic variability in Bracco Italiano dog breed assessed by pedigree data

The Bracco Italiano is one of the oldest pointing dog breed, used for hunting ever since the Renaissance time. The complete electronic record of the breed was downloaded from the ENCI database [whole population (WP) = 24,613 animals registered since 1970 to 2011] with the aim to estimate genetic variability in Bracco Italiano dog breed using pedigree records. Up to 97% of the individuals had registered parents and 86% registered grand-fathers. Average generation interval was 4.68±0.545 for stallions and 4.08±0.321 year for dams. Reference population (RP) was defined as the population of interest that include living reproductive animals approaching the last three generations and include 9006 dogs of which 34% were inbreds. The number of ancestors was 564 in WP and 188 in RP, while the effective number of ancestors was 46 and 34 respectively. To explain 50% of the genetic variability, a total of 18 and 9 ancestors enough, respectively in the WP and RP. The average inbreeding coefficient in the RP resulted 6.7% while the average increase in inbreeding was estimated to be 1.29% (Ne=38.86). Nevertheless a regular monitoring of genetic variability of the population is important and must be adopted, in order to avoid the danger of an excessive increase of inbreeding in the future, which would result in significant inbreeding depression and in significant loss of genetic variatio

Genetic variability of the Braque Français Type Pyrénées dog breed assessed by pedigree data

The Braques français are hunting dogs, from a very old type of gun dog used for pointing the location of game birds for a hunter. There are two breeds of Braque français, both from the South of France, the Braque français type Gascogne (larger size) and the Braque français type Pyrénées (smaller size). The original Braque français type of pointing dog has existed since the fifteenth century. The first breed club was formed in 1850, and the standards for both breeds were written in 1880. Both types belong to group 7 of ENCI classification. The complete electronic record of the Braque français type Pyrénées was downloaded from the ENCI database with the aim to estimate the genetic variability of the breed. In Italy 921 puppies (479 males and 442 females) were registered from 2003 to 2014 (average value: 76.6±40.24 dogs per year). Pedigree records of all registered animals (Reference Population=RP) were considered. The whole population (WP =RP and its genealogy) included 1,250 dogs (826 males and 622 females). 783 dogs were inbred. Up to 89% of the individuals had registered parents and 83% registered grand-parents. To explain 50% of the genetic variability, a total of 9 and 7 ancestors were enough, respectively in the WP and RP. The average inbreeding coefficient in the RP resulted 4.3%, while the average inbreeding of the inbred was 5.19%. The inbreeding coefficient was 0.20 in only 13 dogs (1.66% of inbred). Inbreeding coefficient per year ranged from 0.98% for dogs born in 2003 (27 dogs) to 7.05% in 204 dogs born in 2009. Puppies born in 2014 had an average inbreeding coefficient of 1.78%. Ten traced generations were highlighted; the maximum average inbreeding value (6.62%) was observed in the dogs with 10 traced generations (inbred: 93.15% with an inbreeding average value of 7.11%) while Ne for RP computed via individual increase in inbreeding was 42.42. A regular monitoring of genetic variability of the breed is important and must be adopted, in order to avoid the danger of an excessive increase of inbreeding in the future, which would result in significant inbreeding depression and in significant loss of genetic variation

Small ruminant Gongylonema pulchrum infection in the South West Algerian desert: prevalence of a sporadic zoonosis

Individual faecal samples were randomly collected from the rectum of goats (n = 120) and sheep (n = 182) bred in four distinct areas of the South West Algerian desert. All the samples were examined by faecal flotation technique. A range of gastro-intestinal parasites was recorded by microscopic examination. Special reference was given to potentially zoonotic nematodes. Typical G. pulchrum eggs were detected as mixed or single infections in 9.3% of the animals (15% of goats and 5.5% of sheep). Goats were statistically (OR=3.04 [1.35-6.83]) more likely to harbor G. pulchrum infections than sheep. Animals older than 1 year of age were more likely to be infected with G. pulchrum than younger ones, but these differences di not reach statistically significant values. Monitoring human infections represents an imperative need of modern society. Anyone working with sheep and goats or sharing the same environment with them and physicians should be aware of gongylonemiasis and other potentially zoonotic nematode infections due to ovicaprines, though considered not life-threatening, sporadic or neglected