Effect of the feeding system on the fatty acid composition, expression of the Δ9-desaturase, Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha, Gamma, and Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 genes in the semitendinous muscle of light lambs of the Rasa Aragonesa breed

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) are receiving increasing attention because of their beneficial effects on human health, with milk and meat products derived from ruminants as important sources of CLA in the human diet. <it>SCD </it>gene is responsible for some of the variation in CLA concentration in adipose tissues, and <it>PPARγ</it>, <it>PPARα </it>and <it>SREBP1 </it>genes are regulator of <it>SCD </it>gene. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the feeding system on fatty acid composition, CLA content and relative gene expression of Δ⁹-desaturase (<it>SCD</it>), Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (<it>PPARγ</it>), Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha, <it>(PPARα) </it>and Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein <it>(SREBP1) </it>in Rasa Aragonesa light lambs in semitendinous muscle. Forty-four single-born male lambs were used to evaluate the effect of the feeding system, varying on an intensity gradient according to the use of concentrates: 1. grazing alfalfa, 2. grazing alfalfa with a supplement for lambs, 3. indoor lambs with grazing ewes and 4. drylot.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both grazing systems resulted in a higher concentration of vaccenic acid (VA), CLA, CLA/VA acid ratio, and a lower oleic content, oleic acid (C18:1)/stearic acid (C18:0) ratio, PUFA n-6/n-3 ratio and <it>SCD </it>expression compared to other diets. In addition feeding system affected the fatty acid composition and <it>SCD </it>expression, possibly due to CLA concentration or the PUFA n-6/n-3 ratio. Both expression of the <it>SCD </it>gene and the feeding system were important factors affecting CLA concentration in the animal's semitendinous muscle. <it>PPARγ, PPARα </it>and <it>SREBP1 </it>expression seemed to be unaffected by the feeding system. Although no significant results were found, <it>PPARγ, PPARα </it>and <it>SREBP1 </it>showed similar expression pattern as <it>SCD</it>. Moreover, the correlation results between <it>SCD </it>expression and <it>PPARγ </it>(p < 0.01), as well as <it>SREBP1 </it>(p < 0.01) expression, may suggest that these genes were affecting <it>SCD </it>expression in a different way.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The data indicated that the feeding system is the main factor affecting the fatty acid composition and <it>SCD </it>gene expression, which is also affected by CLA and possibly by n-6/n-3 PUFAs.</p

An alternative method to freeze and transport biological tisue blocks for microscop

Se describe un método simple y económico para congelar material biológico destinado a la obtención de cortes histológicos en crióstato. Se propone la utilización de CO2 para producir una mezcla refrigerante en reemplazo del nitrógeno líquido como criogénico. Esta mezcla (compuesta por hielo seco y acetona) enfría el isopentano utilizado como medio de congelación hasta -76ºC y lo mantiene por aproximadamente una hora y media permitiendo la congelación de más de 20 bloques de tejido. La calidad de las secciones obtenidas en crióstato es similar a aquellas obtenidas mediante la utilización de nitrógeno líquido. Este método resulta especialmente práctico durante los muestreos a bordo de embarcaciones y/o en sitios alejados de los centros urbanos.A cheap and simple method for freezing raw biological material destined to obtain histological sections through a cryostat is described. We propose the utilization of solid CO2 (dry ice) to make a cooling mixture, instead of liquid nitrogen. The temperature of the refrigerating mixture (composed by acetone and dry ice) reaches isopentane to -76ºC which is maintained for ~1.5h allowing the freezing of more than 20 tissue blocks. The quality of cryostat sections obtained is similar to the ones obtained by using liquid nitrogen. This method is particularly suitable during sampling on board, and/or far away from urban centers.Fil: Calvo, Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Morriconi, Elba Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Boy, Claudia Clementina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin

Novel polymorphisms in the 5′UTR of FASN, GPAM, MC4R and PLIN1 ovine candidate genes: Relationship with gene expression and diet

We have analyzed the 5′cis-regulatory regions of four genes coding for key proteins involved in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis in Rasa Aragonesa, Assaf and Roja Mallorquina sheep breeds. We identified 10 novel polymorphisms in the 5′regulatory regions in fatty acid synthase (FASN), glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase mitochondrial (GPAM), melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) and perilipin (PLIN1) genes. Due to the involvement of these genes in fat quantitative traits and the effect of all polymorphic positions on transcription factors binding sites, we tested all of them in two relevant meat reared breeds which were subjected to different feeding systems. Although no relationship was detected between the mRNA expression level of the candidate genes and the genotypes, additional studies must be conducted in older individuals, since these polymorphisms have been detected by in silico studies to be putatively involved in transcriptional or posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms. The expression level of GPAM, MC4R and PLIN1 genes was analyzed and compared between feeding groups detecting over expression of adipogenic genes in the intensive groups. These results suggest that nutritional stimulation affects the expression of candidates genes involved in lipid metabolic processes, and therefore the fat quality in meat ruminant-derived food products.In pres

High-Throughput Microbial Community Analyses to Establish a Natural Fungal and Bacterial Consortium from Sewage Sludge Enriched with Three Pharmaceutical Compounds

Emerging and unregulated contaminants end up in soils via stabilized/composted sewage sludges, paired with possible risks associated with the development of microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents or an imbalance in the microbial communities. An enrichment experiment was performed, fortifying the sewage sludge with carbamazepine, ketoprofen and diclofenac as model compounds, with the aim to obtain strains with the capability to transform these pollutants. Culturable microorganisms were obtained at the end of the experiment. Among fungi, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Alternaria alternata and Penicillium raistrickii showed remarkable degradation rates. Population shifts in bacterial and fungal communities were also studied during the selective pressure using Illumina MiSeq. These analyses showed a predominance of Ascomycota (Dothideomycetes and Aspergillaceae) and Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, suggesting the possibility of selecting native microorganisms to carry out bioremediation processes using tailored techniques.Spanish GovernmentEuropean Research Founds CTM2017-84332-RJunta de Andalucia B-RNM-204-UGR20Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CONACyT) 377965 739637Spanish Ministry of Universities (Maria Zambrano Program) - Next Generation EU (NGEU

Subclinical Atherosclerosis Measure by Carotid Ultrasound and Inflammatory Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondylarthritis

Objective: To compare the effect of inflammation on subclinical atherosclerosis using carotid ultrasound in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA). Methods: Cross-sectional study including 347 participants (148 RA, 159 SpA, and 40 controls). We measured the carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and detection of atheromatous plaques using carotid ultrasound. We recorded disease activity (DAS28-CRP/ASDAS-CRP) and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We performed descriptive, bivariate, and linear multivariate analyses (dependent variable: cIMT) to evaluate the influence of diagnosis on cIMT in all patients. Two additional multivariate analyses were performed by stratifying patients according to their inflammatory activity. Results: cIMT correlated with the mean CRP during the previous 5 years in RA, but not with CRP at the cut-off date. We did not find such differences in patients with SpA. The first multivariate model revealed that increased cIMT was more common in patients with RA than in those with SpA (β coefficient, 0.045; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.0002–0.09; p = 0.048) after adjusting for age, sex, disease course, and differential cardiovascular risk factors (arterial hypertension, smoking, statins, and corticosteroids). The second model revealed no differences in cIMT between the 2 groups of patients classified as remission–low activity (β coefficient, 0.020; 95% CI, −0.03 to 0.080; p = 0.500). However, when only patients with moderate–high disease activity were analysed, the cIMT was 0.112 mm greater in those with RA (95% CI, 0.013–0.212; p = 0.026) than in those with SpA after adjusting for the same variables. Conclusions: Subclinical atherosclerosis measured by carotid ultrasound in patients with RA and SpA is comparable when the disease is well controlled. However, when patients have moderate–high disease activity, cIMT is greater in patients with RA than in those with SpA after adjusting for age, sex, disease course, and cardiovascular risk factors. Our results point to greater involvement of disease activity in subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with RA than in those with SpA

Sex-specific impact of inflammation on traditional cardiovascular risk factors and therosclerosis in axial spondyloarthritis. A multicentre study of 913 patients

Introduction: the nature of the relationship between inflammation, cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and atherosclerosis in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) remains largely unknown and sex differences in this regard are yet to be assessed. Methods Study including 611 men and 302 women from the Spanish multicentre AtheSpAin cohort to assess CV disease in axSpA. Data on CV disease risk factors were collected both at disease diagnosis and at enrolment, and data on disease activity, functional indices and carotid ultrasonography only at enrolment. Results After a median disease duration of 9 years, patients of both sexes who at disease diagnosis had elevated acute phase reactants (APRs), more frequently had hypertension and obesity. The same occurred with dyslipidaemia in men and with diabetes mellitus in women. At enrolment, CV risk factors were independently associated with APR and with activity and functional indices, with various sex differences. C reactive protein (CRP) values were inversely associated with HDL-cholesterol in men (β coefficient: -1.2 (95% CI: -0.3 to -0.07) mg/dL, p=0.001), while erythrocyte sedimentation rate values were positively associated with triglycerides in women (β coefficient: 0.6 (95% CI: 0.04 to 1) mg/dL, p=0.035). Furthermore, only women showed an independent relationship between insulin resistance parameters and APR or disease activity. Both men and women with high-very high CV risk according to the Systematic Assessment of Coronary Risk Evaluation 2 and CRP levels higher than 3 mg/L at diagnosis of the disease presented carotid plaques significantly more frequently than those with normal CRP levels at disease diagnosis. Conclusion Inflammation is associated with atherosclerosis and CV disease in axSpA. A gender-driven effect is observed in this relationship.Funding: The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors

A Global Assessment of the Effects of Eucalyptus Plantations on Stream Ecosystem Functioning

Forest change is a major environmental problem worldwide. Forest streams, with their large aquatic–terrestrial interface and strong dependence on terrestrially derived organic matter, are highly sensitive to forest changes. Fast-wood plantations can be particularly threatening if they markedly differ from native forests. Eucalyptus plantations, in particular, cover large areas worldwide (> 20 million ha, mostly from 35°S to 35°N), but their effects on stream functioning have been addressed mostly in the Iberian Peninsula, which limits generalization to other regions. We assessed the effect of eucalyptus plantations on total (microbial decomposers and macroinvertebrates; in coarse mesh bags) and microbial-driven (in fine mesh bags) leaf litter decomposition by comparing streams flowing through native forests and eucalyptus plantations in seven regions in the Iberian Peninsula, Central Africa and South America. We found an overall significant inhibition of total litter decomposition by 23%. The effect did not significantly differ across regions, although a significant inhibition was found for Spain (− 41%), South Brazil (− 31%) and Uruguay (− 36%) (Portugal had a marginally nonsignificant inhibition by 50%) but not for other regions, suggesting that the effects of plantations in temperate climates are mediated through effects on macroinvertebrate communities. Contrarily, the overall effect for microbial-driven litter decomposition was non-significant, but it significantly differed across regions with a significant stimulation in Central Brazil (110%) and Uruguay (32%), and nonsignificant effects for other regions (Kenya had a marginally nonsignificant inhibition by 48%), suggesting that functional redundancy among microbial communities is not general and effects can occur if plantations induce changes in nutrient availability, solar irradiation or litter characteristics

Recent results on heavy-ion induced reactions of interest for neutrinoless double beta decay at INFN-LNS

Abstract. The possibility to use a special class of heavy-ion induced direct reactions, such as double charge exchange reactions, is discussed in view of their application to extract information that may be helpful to determinate the nuclear matrix elements entering in the expression of neutrinoless double beta decay halflife. The methodology of the experimental campaign presently running at INFN - Laboratori Nazionali del Sud is reported and the experimental challenges characterizing such activity are describe

NURE: An ERC project to study nuclear reactions for neutrinoless double beta decay

Neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) is considered the best potential resource to access the absolute neutrino mass scale. Moreover, if observed, it will signal that neutrinos are their own anti-particles (Majorana particles). Presently, this physics case is one of the most important research “beyond Standard Model” and might guide the way towards a Grand Unified Theory of fundamental interactions. Since the 0νββ decay process involves nuclei, its analysis necessarily implies nuclear structure issues. In the NURE project, supported by a Starting Grant of the European Research Council (ERC), nuclear reactions of double charge-exchange (DCE) are used as a tool to extract information on the 0νββ Nuclear Matrix Elements. In DCE reactions and ββ decay indeed the initial and final nuclear states are the same and the transition operators have similar structure. Thus the measurement of the DCE absolute cross-sections can give crucial information on ββ matrix elements. In a wider view, the NUMEN international collaboration plans a major upgrade of the INFN-LNS facilities in the next years in order to increase the experimental production of nuclei of at least two orders of magnitude, thus making feasible a systematic study of all the cases of interest as candidates for 0νββ

New results from the NUMEN project

NUMEN aims at accessing experimentally driven information on Nuclear Matrix Elements (NME) involved in the half-life of the neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ), by high-accuracy measurements of the cross sections of Heavy Ion (HI) induced Double Charge Exchange (DCE) reactions. First evidence about the possibility to get quantitative information about NME from experiments is found for the (18O,18Ne) and (20Ne,20O) reactions. Moreover, to infer the neutrino average masses from the possible measurement of the half-life of 0νββ decay, the knowledge of the NME is a crucial aspect. The key tools for this project are the high resolution Superconducting Cyclotron beams and the MAGNEX magnetic spectrometer at INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Sud in Catania (Italy). The measured cross sections are extremely low, limiting the present exploration to few selected isotopes of interest in the context of typically low-yield experimental runs. A major upgrade of the LNS facility is foreseen in order to increase the experimental yield of at least two orders of magnitude, thus making feasible a systematic study of all the cases of interest. peerReviewe