Ventromedial prefrontal cortex activity and rapid eye movement sleep are associated with subsequent fear expression in human subjects

In humans, activity patterns in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) have been found to be predictive of subsequent fear memory consolidation. Pioneering work in rodents has further shown that vmPFC-amygdala theta synchronization is correlated with fear memory consolidation. We aimed to evaluate whether vmPFC activity during fear conditioning is (1) correlated with fear expression the subsequent day and whether (2) this relationship is mediated by rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. We analyzed data from 17 young healthy subjects undergoing a fear conditioning task, followed by a fear extinction task 24 h later, both recorded with simultaneous skin conductance response (SCR) and functional magnetic resonance imaging measurements, with a polysomnographically recorded night sleep in between. Our results showed a correlation between vmPFC activity during fear conditioning and subsequent REM sleep amount, as well as between REM sleep amount and SCR to the conditioned stimulus 24 h later. Moreover, we observed a significant correlation between vmPFC activity during fear conditioning and SCR responses during extinction, which was no longer significant after controlling for REM sleep amount. vmPFC activity during fear conditioning was further correlated with sleep latency. Interestingly, hippocampus activity during fear conditioning was correlated with stage 2 and stage 4 sleep amount. Our results provide preliminary evidence that the relationship between REM sleep and fear conditioning and extinction observed in rodents can be modeled in healthy human subjects, highlighting an interrelated set of potentially relevant trait markers

Genetic analysis of Croatian autochthonous pig breeds based on microsatellite markers

Black Slavonian pig (BS) and Turopolje pig (TP) are two Croatian autochthonous pig breeds. At the beginning of this century attempts were made to preserve and re-establish them, which included also employment of the genetic methods for studying genetic characteristics of both breeds. The number of Black Slavonian breed sows was increased from 237 in 2001 to 1305 last year, while the number of Turopolje breed sows rose from 45 to 132 in the same period. A set of 18 microsatellite markers was used to genotype 20 BS pigs, 20 TP pigs and 20 wild boars. The basic statistical analysis included number of samples, number of alleles for each locus, expected and observed heterozygosity, FIS and their statistical significance FISsign. In observed populations, a relatively high variety of loci was present. Average heterozygosity was between 0.35 and 0.64. The average fixation index (FST) was 0.24. Multilocus FST values indicated that around 24% of the total genetic variation was explained by population differences, with the remaining 78% corresponding to differences among individuals within population. Genetic distances between populations were made with PCA method and it was noticed that studied populations are clearly defined. The analysis of population structure indicates no admixture among analysed breeds. However, some substructuring in the Black Slavonian pig population was observed. Results confirmed usefulness of microsatellites for studying genetic diversity among Croatian autochthonous pig breeds, but for obtaining more accurate results, a study involving larger number of animals and other related breeds would be required.Os suínos Black Slavonian (BS) e Turopolje (TP) são duas raças autóctones da Croácia. No início do presente século foram feitas tentativas para as preservar e reestabelecer, que incluíram o uso de metodologias genéticas para o estudo das características genéticas de ambas as raças. O número de porcas reprodutoras BS aumentou de 237 em 2001 para 1305 no último ano, enquanto que o número de porcas reprodutoras TP aumentou de 45 para 132 no mesmo período. Foram genotipados 20 porcos BS, 20 porcos TP e 20 javalis usando um conjunto de 18 microssatélites. Foi feita uma análise estatística básica em relação ao número de amostras, número de alelos em cada locus, heterozigosidade esperada e observada, FIS e a sua significância estatística FISsign. Nas populações observadas foi detetada uma variedade de loci relativamente elevada. A heterozigosidade média variou entre 0.35 e 0.64. O índice médio de fixação (FST) foi de 0.24. Os valores multilocus do FST indicaram que cerca de 24% da variação genética total era explicada pelas diferenças entre populações e os restantes 78% correspondiam a diferenças entre animais dentro da mesma população. As distâncias genéticas entre populações foram determinadas com o método PCA e verificou-se que as populações estudadas estavam claramente definidas. A análise da estrutura da população indica a ausência de mistura entre as raças analisadas. No entanto foi observada alguma subestruturação na população BS. Os resultados confirmam a utilidade dos microssatélites para estudar a diversidade genética entre as raças suínas autóctones da Croácia mas, para obter resultados mais precisos, será necessário um estudo envolvendo um maior número de animais e outras raças relacionadas

Comparison of carcass and meat quality traits of Black Slavonian pigs regarding the duration of fattening period

The aim of the study was to estimate the possibility of shortening the fattening period of Black Sla - vonian pig without deteriorating their meat quality. The research was carried out on 30 Black Slavonian pigs divided into two equal groups, A and B, according to the duration of fattening period: 18 and 12 months, respectively. Pigs from both groups were reared in extensive system (pastures, woods). During the year pigs were fed cereal mixture (50% corn, 30% barley, 10% oats, 10% soybean) which was supplemented with alfalfa during the vegetation period; during the winter pigs were fed alfalfa hay. At the end of their respective fattening period pigs were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir. Carcass and meat quality traits were collected: carcass weight, carcass length, muscle and backfat thickness, as well as ham length and circumference, pH45 in semimembranosus and longissimus dorsi muscle, meat colour (CIE L*a*b*), drip loss by EZ drip and WB shear force. Pigs from group B had significantly lighter and shorter carcasses characterised by thinner backfat than pigs form group A. The ham length and circumference were not affected by duration of fattening period. On the other hand, the results showed that shortening of fattening period significantly deteriorated some important meat quality traits, most of all drip loss and CIE L* values of the meat in group B. The meat of pigs from this group was also tougher than meat of pigs from group A as shown by significantly higher WB shear force (N

Carcass composition and meat quality of pigs from different pork chains in the production of Baranjski kulen (PGI)

Present study deals with carcass composition and meat quality of pigs originating from three pork chains for the production of Baranjski kulen (PGI). These pork chains differ in breed and rearing system. In the first pork chain, modern hybrid pigs were fattened intensively up to 160 kg average live weight, which they reach in 6 months. Second pork chain represented Duroc x Large White crossbreds reared in straw bedded (deep litter) facilities, slaughtered at approximately 180 kg live weight and at the age of 12 months. The last of investigated pork chains involved Black Slavonian (Crna slavonska) pigs fed only on pasture until they reached average live weight 110 kg (age = 12 months). The Carcass composition was presented as carcass weight and the weight (kg) of main joints used in the production of Baranjski kulen (ham, shoulder, loin) as well as their share (%) in the whole carcass. These joints were dissected into main tissues (muscle, fat and bones. Investigated carcass traits were all significantly affected by pork chain. Meat quality traits were taken 24 hours after the slaughter including: pH24; meat color (CIE L*a*b*); EZ_drip; cooking loss and Warner-Bratzler shear force. All of the meat quality traits differed significantly between the investigated pork chains with the exception of Warner-Bratzler shear force measured on longissimus dorsi muscle

Survey of demographic and phenotypic data of local pig breeds of TREASURE project

The paper reports the results of a survey on the demographic and phenotypic characterization of 20 European local pig breeds involved in the H2020 TREASURE project including information on: demographic parameters, main morphological features, reproductive information, additional information collected at herd-level (i.e. temperament, holding, mating practices), origins and development of the breeds. Almost all the breeds (18 out of 20) possess a herd book even if the starting year is highly variable (from 1980 to 2006). Number of breeding females ranged from 24 (Moravka) to over 200,000 heads (Ibérico). Male/female ratio varied greatly with the highest values for the Italian breeds probably due to the different policy of animal recording. Almost all the breeds undergo a conservation program whereas really few are interested by other conservation techniques and for less than five breeds data related to effective number and inbreeding coefficient are easily available. Average values for teat number, litter size and weaned piglets are 12, 8 and 6 respectively with a great potential for their improvement. The depicted scenario is highly diversified and the data collected represent the starting point for the achievement of a collective trademark under the umbrella of the TREASURE project.Este trabajo presenta los resultados de una encuesta de datos demográficos y fenotípicos de 20 razas locales de cerdos en estudio en el proyecto H2020 TREASURE y incluí información de: parámetros demográficos, características morfológicas principales, parámetros reproductivos, informaciones adicionales a nivel de los efectivos (ex. Temperamento, instalaciones, prácticas de cubrición), orígenes y desarrollo de las razas. Casi todas las razas (18 de 20) tienen libro genealógico, aunque su fecha de inicio varía mucho (de 1980 a 2006). El número de hembras reproductoras varía de 24 (Moravka) a más de 200 mil cabezas (Ibérico). La relación macho/hembra varía mucho con los valores más altos verificados en las razas italianas muy probablemente debido a una política diferente relativamente al registro de animales. Casi todas las razas tienen programas de conservación, aunque pocas están interesadas en otras técnicas de conservación y sólo en menos que 5 razas los datos relativos a número de efectivos y de coeficiente de consanguinidad están fácilmente disponibles. Los valores medios para números de pezones, tamaño de camada y lechones destetados son de 12, 8 y 6, respectivamente con un grande potencial para mejora. El escenario descrito es altamente diversificado y esta colecta de datos representa el punto de partida para una marca colectiva debajo del parasol del proyecto TREASURE

Genome-wide detection of copy number variants in European autochthonous and commercial pig breeds by whole-genome sequencing of DNA pools identified breed-characterising copy number states

In this study, we identified copy number variants (CNVs) in 19 European autochthonous pig breeds and in two commercial breeds (Italian Large White and Italian Duroc) that represent important genetic resources for this species. The genome of 725 pigs was sequenced using a breed-specific DNA pooling approach (30\u201335 animals per pool) obtaining an average depth per pool of 42 7. This approach maximised CNV discovery as well as the related copy number states characterising, on average, the analysed breeds. By mining more than 17.5 billion reads, we identified a total of 9592 CNVs (~683 CNVs per breed) and 3710 CNV regions (CNVRs; 1.15% of the reference pig genome), with an average of 77 CNVRs per breed that were considered as private. A few CNVRs were analysed in more detail, together with other information derived from sequencing data. For example, the CNVR encompassing the KIT gene was associated with coat colour phenotypes in the analysed breeds, confirming the role of the multiple copies in determining breed-specific coat colours. The CNVR covering the MSRB3 gene was associated with ear size in most breeds. The CNVRs affecting the ELOVL6 and ZNF622 genes were private features observed in the Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle and in the Turopolje pig breeds respectively. Overall, the genome variability unravelled here can explain part of the genetic diversity among breeds and might contribute to explain their origin, history and adaptation to a variety of production systems