Combination of thymol treatment (Apiguard®) and caging the queen technique to fight Varroa destructor

International audienceAbstractGuaranteeing high acaricide efficacy to control Varroa destructor is fundamental for colony survival. In this study, we verified the efficacy and impact of a commercial thymol-based veterinary product (Apiguard®) on colony honey bee populations when used alone or combined with the biotechnical method of caging honey bee queens to create an artificial brood interruption period in the colony. Apiguard® killed 76.1% of the mites while queen caging killed 40.6% of the mites. The combination of Apiguard® administration with queen caging killed 96.8% of the mites. Comparing bee numbers before and after treatment, Apiguard® treated colonies with caged queens had 48.7% fewer bees compared to before treatment, while Apiguard® alone reduced the number of adult bees by 13.6%. None of the treatments in the different groups resulted in elevated queen mortality

Realtime elastosonography of the penis in patients with Peyronie's disease

Objective: To evaluate the performance of real time elastosonography (RTE) in the iden- tification of different types of penile lesions in patients with Peyronie’s disease. Materials and methods: Seventy four consecutive patients with complaints of Peyronie’s disease underwent B-Mode ultrasonography (US) and RTE of the penis in the same sit- ting. In each patient all sequences of elastosonography and B-Mode US were recorded and compared to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the new imaging technique. Results: B-Mode US detected penile plaques in 64 patients (86.41%) and elastosonography con- firmed these data. In the remaining 10 patients elastosonography documented, in five of them, areas of reducing elasticity suggesting the presence of initial fibrosis. Cohen’s K was used to eval- uate the discordances between B-Mode US and Elastosonography scan. A p value 30°, and the penile plaque evalua- tions were completely concordant. Conclusions: RTE is a simple, non invasive, rapid complementary imaging technique that may improve the accuracy of B-Mode US in detecting penile lesions in patients with Peyronie’s disease

Critical role of maternal selenium nutrition in neurodevelopment: Effects on offspring behavior and neuroinflammatory profile

Research in both animals and humans shows that some nutrients are important in pregnancy and during the first years of life to support brain and cognitive development. Our aim was to evaluate the role of selenium (Se) in supporting brain and behavioral plasticity and maturation. Pregnant and lactating female rats and their offspring up to postnatal day 40 were fed isocaloric diets differing in Se content - i.e., Optimal, SubOptimal, and Deficient - and neurodevelopmental, neu-roinflammatory, and anti-oxidant markers were analyzed. We observed early adverse behavioral changes in juvenile rats only in SubOptimal offspring. In addition, SubOptimal, more than Deficient supply reduced basal glial reactivity in sex dimorphic and brain-area specific fashion. In female offspring, Deficient and SubOptimal diets reduced the antioxidant Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the cortex and in the liver, the latter being the key organ regulating Se metabo-lism and homeostasis. The finding that Se SubOptimal was more detrimental than Se Deficient diet may suggest that maternal Se Deficient diet, leading to a lower Se supply at earlier stages of fetal development, stimulated homeostatic mechanisms in the offspring that were not initiated by SubOptimal Se. Our observations demonstrate that even moderate Se deficiency during early life negatively may affect, in a sex-specific manner, optimal brain development

Semi-industrial development of nutritious and healthy seafood dishes from sustainable species

This study aimed to devise innovative, tailor-made, appealing, tasty and semi-industrialized dishes, using sustainable and under-utilized seafood species (bib, common dab, common carp, blue mussel and blue whiting), that can meet the specific nutritional and functional needs of children (8-10-years), pregnant women (20-40-years) and seniors (≥60-years). Hence, contests were organised among cooking schools from 6 European countries and the best recipes/dishes were reformulated, semi-industrially produced and chemically and microbiologically evaluated. The dishes intended for: (i) children and pregnant women had EPA + DHA and I levels that reached the target quantities, supporting the claim as "high in I"; and (ii) seniors were "high in protein" (24.8%-Soup_S and 34.0%-Balls_S of the energy was provided by proteins), "high in vitamin B12", and had Na contents (≤0.4%) below the defined limit. All dishes reached the vitamin D target value. Sausages_C, Roulade_P, Fillet_P and Balls_S had a well-balanced protein/fat ratio. Roulade_P presented the highest n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA ratio (3.3), while Sausages_C the lowest SFA/UNS ratio (0.2). Dishes were considered safe based on different parameters (e.g. Hg-T, PBDEs, Escherichia coli). All represent dietary sources contributing to meet the reference intakes of target nutrients (33->100%), providing valuable options to overcome nutritional and functional imbalances of the three groups.This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement no. 773400 (SEAFOODTOMORROW). This work was also supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Project CEX 2018-000794-S), the Generalitat de Catalunya (Consolidated Research Group Water and Soil Quality Unit 2017 SGR 1404) and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (MCTES) through national funds (UID/QUI/50006/2019, UIDB/50006/2020, UIDP/50006/2020, UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020). The authors also thank FCT and the European Union's H2020 Research and Innovation Programme for funding through the project Systemic - An integrated approach to the challenge of sustainable food systems: adaptive and mitigatory strategies to address climate change and malnutrition. Sara Cunha also acknowledges FCT for the IF/01616/2015 contract. Biotage is acknowledged for providing SPE cartridges and Bekolut for the QuEChERS kits. This output reflects the views only of the author(s), and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.Peer reviewe

A Cross-Sectional Survey to Estimate the Cat Population and Ownership Profiles in a Semirural Area of Central Italy

Understanding animal population size and its demographic features is essential to address Public Health policies as well as to provide valuable information to pet industries and veterinary practitioners. Nevertheless, official data on feline population are not available worldwide. In the present study, the owned cat population size, its demographic attributes, and the ownership profiles have been investigated through a face-to-face questionnaire in a semirural area of Central Italy. The human : cat ratio was equal to 6.8 (95% CI: 5.7–7.5); 29.3% of households own at least one cat. The majority of cats were living in a rural area (67.8%) and outdoors, were neutered (70.5%), and were fed with commercial food (54.8%) and they visited a veterinarian 1-2 times a year (43.3%). The cat ownership was strongly associated with people living in a rural area and owning another pet. As the cat owned population was mainly kept outdoors in rural areas, the possible relation between the owned and the stray animals is worthy to be monitored in future researches. Our study revealed that the feline owned population was larger than expected and that social and economic human factors do not influence the cat ownership. Health Authorities and veterinary practitioners should promote responsible ownership to increase the veterinary care, to intensify the official identification, and to properly manage the outdoor lifestyle

Fatty Acid Profile and Metabolism Are Related to Human Sperm Parameters and Are Relevant in Idiopathic Infertility and Varicocele

Objectives. Fatty acids (FA) modulate oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inflammatory processes in spermatogenesis. Methods. The amount of 17 different FAs and the level of F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs) and cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) were compared and correlated to sperm characteristics; these last ones were evaluated by light and electronic microscopy in varicocele and idiopathic infertile patients. Results. Total n-3 polyunsaturated acids (PUFAs) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), one of the n-3 PUFAs, were significantly reduced in idiopathic infertile men compared to controls (P<0.05). In the whole studied population, oleic acid and total monounsaturated acids (MUFAs) correlated negatively with sperm concentration, progressive motility, normal morphology, vitality, and fertility index and positively with sperm necrosis. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) amount was positively correlated with the percentage of sperm necrosis and cPLA2 level and negatively with sperm concentration. Sperm vitality was negatively correlated with the saturated fatty acids (SFAs). In infertile groups, cPLA2 was negatively correlated with DHA and n-3 PUFAs (both P<0.05) and positively with EPA (P<0.05). In the varicocele group, sperm vitality was negatively correlated with palmitoleic acid and total n-6 PUFAs (P<0.05); sperm apoptosis was positively correlated with the total SFA percentage (P<0.05). Conclusions. FA composition in sperm membrane and the metabolism of sperm FAs are interrelated parameters, both relevant in sperm maturation processes and fertility

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 and F2 isoprostanes are involved in semen quality and human infertility-A study on leucocytospermia, varicocele and idiopathic infertility.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2 ) is involved in eicosanoid release, and F2 -isoprostanes (F2 -IsoPs), as free radical-generated eicosanoids released by PLA2 , are indicators of oxidative stress in different human conditions. This study investigated the interplay between cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2 ), F2 -IsoPs and sperm features in male infertility, when the involvement of oxidative stress has been reported. Semen evaluation was performed following WHO guidelines, sperm ultrastructure was detected by transmission electron microscopy indicating a fertility index, and the percentages of sperm immaturity, apoptosis and necrosis. In sperm cells and seminal plasma, cPLA2 levels were determined by immunological method, whereas F2 -IsoPs by mass spectrometry. Sperm concentration, morphology, vitality and fertility index values were significantly lower in infertile groups compared with fertile men. An increase in sperm apoptosis and necrosis (p &lt; .01), apoptosis (p &lt; .01) and immaturity (p &lt; .001) was detected in leucocytospermia, idiopathic infertility and varicocele, respectively. Seminal cPLA2 showed the highest value in varicocele group (p &lt; .05), whereas seminal F2 -IsoPs increased in varicocele (p &lt; .001) and leucocytospermia (p &lt; .05) groups. In the whole population, F2 -IsoP and cPLA2 levels were positively correlated (p &lt; .05). On the contrary, F2 -IsoPs and cPLA2 were not significantly different when investigated in sperm cells. Our data indicate that fatty acid oxidation/metabolism plays a role in different male reproductive pathological conditions

Associations between biochemical components of human semen with seminal conditions

The aim of the study was to assess whether abnormal levels of seminal biochemical components could be associated with semen alterations and infertility. In this study, 92 human ejaculates from selected men were analyzed. Albumin, estradiol, ferritin, total proteins (TP), folic acid (FA), vitamin B12, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase were evaluated. Semen parameters and biochemical components of the 92 samples were correlated bySpearman’s rho coefficient. Albumin showed a negative correlation with sperm progressive motility and vitality (P &lt; 0.05), CK with sperm concentration and vitality (P &lt; 0.05), ferritin with sperm morphology (P &lt; 0.05). FA negatively correlated with sperm concentration (P &lt; 0.05) and GGT with sperm motility (P &lt; 0.05). The values of biochemical components were compared for each semen parameters (concentration, motility, morphology, vitality) in samples ≤5th percentile with those &gt;5th percentile and in patients with/without leukocytospermia, presence/absence of germ cells, increased/normal viscosity by Mann Whitney U test. The albumin (P &lt; 0.001) and TP (P &lt; 0.05) levels and the GGT activity (P &lt; 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with sperm motility ≤5th percentile. Patients with sperm vitality ≤5th percentile showed increased albumin concentration (P &lt; 0.01) and the CK activity (P &lt; 0.001). The presence of germ cells in semen was concomitant with high values of ferritin (P &lt; 0.01); the ALP activity (P &lt; 0.01) and FA level (P &lt; 0.001) were decreased in hyperviscous semen. The FA and estradiol levels were significantly decreased in the smoker group compared to those measured in the non-smoker group. Subjects were grouped in infertile patients and men with unknown reproductive potential. Infertile patients albumin and ferritin were significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05). This study suggests that some biochemical components may be associated with human seminal pathological conditions. Abbreviations: ALP: alkaline phosphatase; LDH: lactate dehydrogenase; GGT: γ-glutamyl transferase; CK: creatine kinase; ACP: acid phosphatase; ALB: albumin; TP: total proteins; FERR: ferritin, E: estradiol; FOL: folic acid; B12: vitamin B12; FSH: follicle stimulating hormone; LH: luteinizing hormone; T: testosterone; BMI: body mass index; WHO: World Health Organization