Transmitter-equipped darts in a protocol for chemically immobilizing free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Central Italy

Twenty-two free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus), 9 males and 13 females (7 months to 13 years old), were captured in October-November 2006 and December 2007, along the Apenninic ridge (44°06'N, 11°00'E) between the Pistoia (Tuscany) and Bologna (Emilia-Romagna) provinces, as part of a reintroduction project in Gran Sasso and Laga's Mountains National Park (42°33'N, 13°28'E), Italy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a red deer capture protocol, using equipped transmitter darts, in Apennine areas where other methods had not been successful. The red deer were darted (by an operative team of 5-7 operators during dark hours) with a mixture of Zoletil® (Z) and xylazine (X) and, whenever secondary dosages became necessary, a mixture of ketamine (K) and X were used. Twenty-five animals were shot, only 3 of which could not be approached to re-dart them. All animals were darted, during dark hours, from a vehicle at a distance of 10-30 m and then recovered, using 3-cc disposable Pneu-dart® transmitter darts, 50-280 m (median 80 m) from the dart site. These technical choices were forced by an uneven and wooded environment of the study area. Before the transport to the reintroduction site, the animals were kept in a lairage stable, arranged in single boxes, provided with water and food. This accommodation was necessary to collect a reasonable number of animals to arrange the transport. The immobilized animals were brought to the stable and haemoglobin saturation and heart rate were constantly monitored with a pulse oximeter. Oxygen was insufflated into a nostril at a rate of 10 litres/min for 20-35 min. Atipamezole was administered two thirds intramuscularly (IM) and one third intravenously, 45 to 120 min after the last IM narcotic injection, to revive the animals. No side effects other than different levels of meteorism, were displayed. In conclusion, the protocol applied, which proved safe for the animals and had optimal success in the recovery of darted subjects, can be considered effective to capture free-ranging deer in areas that are thickly wooded and difficult to traverse as areas of the Apennine

DETECTION OF PESTIVIRUS IN FECAL SAMPLES FROM WILD RUMINANTS BY PCR

Ruminant pestiviruses affect wild and domestic ruminants worldwide, causing reproductive disorders and severe economic losses. Usually serological, virological or PCR tests are carried out on serum or blood collected from captured live animals or from organs of dead animals. The aim of this work was to evaluate if fecal samples are suitable for detecting ruminant pestiviruses in wild ruminants. Fecal samples from red deer (Cervus elaphus, n=16) and Appenninic chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata, n=12) were collected from the environment. Samples were analyzed in a few days and aliquots were stored at 4ºC for 3 months and re-tested. Pooled fecal samples were diluted with PBS, were centrifuged, and the pellet was used for RNA extraction by silica membrane tech-nology. Real Time PCR was carried out to detect Pestivirus spp. Positive samples were used for PCR and sequencing of a 5’UTR sequence. All four pool samples from red deer and 3 out of 4 pool of chamois resulted positive and sequences showed the highest homology with BVDV-1. Positive samples were found also in samples refrigerated for 3 months. To our knowledge, this is the first report of amplification and sequencing of pestiviruses from feces of wild ruminants

Chlamydia suis and tetracycline resistance genes un Italian wild boar (Sus scrofa)

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Chlamydia suis and tetracycline resistance determinants in conjunctival swabs of Italian wild boars, by PCR. Extracted DNA collected from 50 wild boars from Northern and Central Italy was examined by molecular methods. One sample (2%) from the Central Italy was positive for C. suis. Fragments of tetR(C) and tetR(C)-tet(C) resistance determinants were amplified from the same sample. Further molecular investigations suggested the attribution of these tetracycline resistance determinants to C. suis, such as the truncation oftetR(C) and absence of a intact invasion (inv)-like region. While tetracycline-resistant C. suis is very common in domestic pigs, its occurrence has not been reported in wild boar before. Wild boar might acquire tetracycline resistance determinants through direct or indirect contact with domestic pigs

Morphological and Immunohistochemical Description of a Splenic Haemangioma in a Captive European Wolf (<i>Canis lupus lupus</i>) and a Review of the Current Literature

Neoplastic diseases are rarely described in wild carnivores; only a few reports have been published on this topic. Here, we describe the histological and immunohistochemical features of a haemangioma in the spleen of a grey wolf (Canis lupus lupus) and we compare the results with the dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Additionally, we list the different publications found in the literature with neoplastic lesions in wolves. Our results show similar immunohistochemical features to dogs, in which neoplastic cells express Vimentin, von Willebrand factor, alpha smooth muscle actin antibody, vascular endothelial growth factor C and low vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3. Toluidine blue special stain shows moderated increased numbers of mast cells infiltrating the tumor, a feature observed in benign vascular tumors in domestic dogs, but not in the malignant counterparts. To our knowledge, this is the first article describing the gross, histological and immunohistochemical features of a splenic haemangioma in a wolf

Delirium and frailty in older adults: Clinical overlap and biological underpinnings

Delirium; Frailty; Hallmarks of agingDelirio; Fragilidad; Características del envejecimientoDeliri; Fragilitat; Trets distintius de l'envellimentFrailty and delirium are two common geriatric syndromes sharing several clinical characteristics, risk factors, and negative outcomes. Understanding their interdependency is crucial to identify shared mechanisms and implement initiatives to reduce the associated burden. This literature review summarizes scientific evidence on the complex interplay between frailty and delirium; clinical, epidemiological, and pathophysiological commonalities; and current knowledge gaps. We conducted a PubMed systematic search in June 2023, which yielded 118 eligible articles out of 991. The synthesis of the results-carried out by content experts-highlights overlapping risk factors, clinical phenotypes, and outcomes and explores the influence of one syndrome on the onset of the other. Common pathophysiological mechanisms identified include inflammation, neurodegeneration, metabolic insufficiency, and vascular burden. The review suggests that frailty is a risk factor for delirium, with some support for delirium associated with accelerated frailty. The proposed unifying framework supports the integration and measurement of both constructs in research and clinical practice, identifying the geroscience approach as a potential avenue to develop strategies for both conditions. In conclusion, we suggest that frailty and delirium might be alternative-sometimes coexisting-manifestations of accelerated biological aging. Clinically, the concepts addressed in this review can help approach older adults with either frailty or delirium from a different perspective. From a research standpoint, longitudinal studies are needed to explore the hypothesis that specific pathways within the biology of aging may underlie the clinical manifestations of frailty and delirium. Such research will pave the way for future understanding of other geriatric syndromes as well

Cancer stem cells and their microenvironment.

N/A

Una aproximación metodológica para la producción de conocimientos y análisis de las dinámicas territoriales en el marco de procesos de desarrollo

En este trabajo nos interesa profundizar los supuestos metodológicos que sustentan la producción de conocimientos aplicados al desarrollo territorial y al análisis de las dinámicas territoriales, para tratar de percibir hasta qué punto estos enfoques consiguen dar cuenta de esa multi-dimensionalidad a la que hacíamos referencia. A través de la experiencia de los autores, se examinan trayectorias territoriales en tres regiones del país: la Comunidad Indígena y Comuna Rural de Amaicha del Valle, en los Valles Calchaquíes, Noroeste Argentino (NOA); las localidades que componen la cuenca carbonífera de Santa Cruz, en la zona sur de la Región patagónica; y San Pedro, en la Provincia de Misiones, Noreste Argentino (NEA).Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Cancer stem cells and macrophages: molecular connections and future perspectives against cancer.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been considered the key drivers of cancer initiation and progression due to their unlimited self-renewal capacity and their ability to induce tumor formation. Macrophages, particularly tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), establish a tumor microenvironment to protect and induce CSCs development and dissemination. Many studies in the past decade have been performed to understand the molecular mediators of CSCs and TAMs, and several studies have elucidated the complex crosstalk that occurs between these two cell types. The aim of this review is to define the complex crosstalk between these two cell types and to highlight potential future anti-cancer strategies

Protection of Farms from Wolf Predation: A Field Approach

The livestock sector is facing serious challenges in combatting the increasing predation of domestic livestock. In this scenario, wild carnivores, especially wolves, represent key predators. To allow the coexistence of wild and domestic animals, defense methodologies consisting of multiple integrated antipredator strategies must be tested and implemented based on the geographical man agement context of each farm. This study investigated the potential of a novel antipredator method (PAN, Project Farmers-Nature in Italian) in protecting livestock (goats and horses) from wolves on a farm located in the Sibillini Mountains National Park, over a three-month period (June–September 2022). The PAN field approach involved two phases: (1) interviews with farmers and inspections of how the farm and pasture are structured and (2) monitoring predator abundance using camera traps and transects in order to understand the wildlife habits. Information on predator movement around the grazing area was shared with the farmer, who was actively involved in implementing strategies to protect livestock. The stable presence of one pair of wolves was confirmed in the grazing area, placing grazing livestock at risk. The farmer was advised to strengthen the existing antipredator strategy (herd protection dogs) by introducing two trained Maremma-Abruzzese sheepdog puppies to protect his animals. The implemented actions demonstrate how professional experts can serve as a strategic intermediary between livestock and wildlife conservation in the management of the current conflicts

Isolation and Identification of Cancer Stem-Like Cells in Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung: A Pilot Study

Background: Lung cancer stem cells (CSCs) share many characteristics with normal stem cells, such as self-renewal and multipotentiality. High expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) has been detected in many tumors, particularly in the CSC compartment, and it plays an important role in tumor proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance. CD44 is commonly used as a cell surface marker of cancer stem-like cells in epithelial tumors. The aim of this study was to isolate and analyze cancer stem-like cells from surgically removed specimens to compare lung adenocarcinoma (ADENO) and squamous (SQUAMO) cell carcinoma. Methods: The ALDEFLUOR assay was used to identify and sort ALDHhigh and ALDHlow human lung cancer cells following tissue digestion. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis for CD44 was performed with tumor cells. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to assess the expression of SOX2 and NANOG as stemness markers. ALDH1A1 expression was additionally determined by immunohistochemistry. Anchorage-independent ALDHhigh cell growth was also evaluated. ALDHhigh ADENO and SQUAMO cells were cultured to analyze spheroid formation. Results: All specimens contained 0.5–12.5% ALDHhigh cells with 3.8–18.9% CD44-positive cells. SOX2 and NANOG relative expression in ALDHhigh compared to ALDHlow cells in ADENO and SQUAMO was analyzed and compared between the histotypes. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of ALDH1A1 in the sections. SOX2 and NANOG were expressed at higher levels in the ALDHhigh subpopulation than in the ALDHlow subpopulation only in ADENO cells, and the opposite result was seen in SQUAMO cells. In vitro functional assays demonstrated that ALDHhigh cells exhibited migration capacity with distinct behaviors between ALDHhigh spheres in ADENO vs. SQUAMO samples. Conclusions: Our results highlight the importance of a better characterization of cancer stem-like cells in ADENO and SQUAMO histotypes. This may suggest new differential approaches for prognostic and therapeutic purposes in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer