Micronuclei in cord blood lymphocytes and associations with biomarkers of exposure to carcinogens and hormonally active factors, gene polymorphisms, and gene expression: The NewGeneris cohort

Background: Leukemia incidence has increased in recent decades among European children, suggesting that early-life environmental exposures play an important role in disease development. Objectives: We investigated the hypothesis that childhood susceptibility may increase as a result of in utero exposure to carcinogens and hormonally acting factors. Using cord blood samples from the NewGeneris cohort, we examined associations between a range of biomarkers of carcinogen exposure and hormonally acting factors with micronuclei (MN) frequency as a proxy measure of cancer risk. Associations with gene expression and genotype were also explored. Methods: DNA and protein adducts, gene expression profiles, circulating hormonally acting factors, and GWAS (genome-wide association study) data were investigated in relation to genomic damage measured by MN frequency in lymphocytes from 623 newborns enrolled between 2006 and 2010 across Europe. Results: Malondialdehyde DNA adducts (M1dG) were associated with increased MN frequency in binucleated lymphocytes (MNBN), and exposure to androgenic, estrogenic, and dioxin-like compounds was associated with MN frequency in mononucleated lymphocytes (MNMONO), although no monotonic exposure-outcome relationship was observed. Lower frequencies of MNBN were associated with a 1-unit increase expression of PDCD11, LATS2, TRIM13, CD28, SMC1A, IL7R, and NIPBL genes. Gene expression was significantly higher in association with the highest versus lowest category of bulky and M1dG-DNA adducts for five and six genes, respectively. Gene expression levels were significantly lower for 11 genes in association with the highest versus lowest category of plasma AR CALUX® (chemically activated luciferase expression for androgens) (8 genes), ERα CALUX® (for estrogens) (2 genes), and DR CALUX® (for dioxins). Several SNPs (single-nucleotide polymorphisms) on chromosome 11 near FOLH1 significantly modified associations between androgen activity and MNBN frequency. Polymorphisms in EPHX1/2 and CYP2E1 were associated with MNBN. Conclusion: We measured in utero exposure to selected environmental carcinogens and circulating hormonally acting factors and detected associations with MN frequency in newborns circulating T lymphocytes. The results highlight mechanisms that may contribute to carcinogen-induced leukemia and require further research

Psychometric Properties and Correlates of Precarious Manhood Beliefs in 62 Nations

Precarious manhood beliefs portray manhood, relative to womanhood, as a social status that is hard to earn, easy to lose, and proven via public action. Here, we present cross-cultural data on a brief measure of precarious manhood beliefs (the Precarious Manhood Beliefs scale [PMB]) that covaries meaningfully with other cross-culturally validated gender ideologies and with country-level indices of gender equality and human development. Using data from university samples in 62 countries across 13 world regions (N = 33,417), we demonstrate: (1) the psychometric isomorphism of the PMB (i.e., its comparability in meaning and statistical properties across the individual and country levels); (2) the PMB’s distinctness from, and associations with, ambivalent sexism and ambivalence toward men; and (3) associations of the PMB with nation-level gender equality and human development. Findings are discussed in terms of their statistical and theoretical implications for understanding widely-held beliefs about the precariousness of the male gender role

Proposta di calcolo del "contenuto in carne" secondo la dichiarazione della quantit\ue0 degli ingredienti (quid - Quantitative Ingredient Declarations) con particolare attenzione alla variabilit\ue0 della concentrazione proteica delle materie prime carnee

Recent studies have shown that beside fat content (Fo) and connective tissue protein- total meat protein ratio (CTRo), a third factor, the percentage of fat-free total meat protein (PFFo) has also to be included in the QUID calculation. This means that the chemical composition of the meat ingredients should be adjusted to a reference PFFo value (PFFref). The latter one is expediently 22.0. Moreover, for avoiding anomalies and incertitude, the nitrogen-protein conversion factor is to be taken conventionally for 6.25, independently from meat tissue type and the total meat protein content has to be determined by the Kjeldahl method. Consequently, it should also be accepted by convention that, the raw-meat materials with higher PFFo > PFFref are to be considered, in principle, as containing fat-free protein \u2018in excess\u2019 compared to those with PFFo = PFFref. On the other hand, the raw-meat materials with PFFo PFFref) or a virtual \u2018removal\u2019 of water (if PFFo < PFFref) regarding the meat ingredients. In this way, the calculation scheme will be more complex, however, there are no difficulties in setting up a computer program. As shown in this paper, under restricted conditions, the QUID-calculation can also be performed starting from the proximate composition of the finished product

Effect of Silybum marianum herb on the productive performance, carcass traits and meat quality of growing rabbits

The present study aimed to test the effect of a dietary supplementation with Silybum marianum (SM), an herbaceous Mediterranean plant traditionally used to treat liver and gastrointestinal diseases and with antioxidant properties, on the productive performance, carcass traits and meat quality of growing rabbits. With this purpose, at weaning (5 weeks of age), a total of 144 Pannon Large rabbits were allocated to three experimental groups. The control group (C, n=51) was fed with a basal diet, whereas the other groups received the basal diet supplemented with SM herbal powder at two concentrations: 5 g/kg (SM1, n=48) and 10 g/kg (SM2, n=45). Rabbits were housed in wire-mesh cages (3 rabbits/cage) and fed ad libitum throughout the experiment. Productive performance and mortality were recorded weekly. Rabbits were slaughtered at 11 weeks of age, carcasses were dissected, and hind leg (HL) and Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) meat were analysed for meat quality (oxidative status, pHu and L\u204e, a\u204e, b\u204e colour) traits. In addition, a sensory analysis on the LTL meat was carried out by a trained panel. Mortality was significantly reduced in SM treatments compared to C group from week 6 to 7 (10.4 and 11.1 vs. 17.7%, for SM1, SM2 and C groups, respectively; P<0.05), and in SM2 compared to C and SM1 considering the whole productive cycle (5\u201311 weeks). The dietary inclusion of SM did not affect carcass traits and did not change neither colour nor oxidative status of LTL muscle. Differently, SM diet increased pHu of LTL muscle (5.98 vs. 6.03 vs. 6.10 in C, SM1 and SM2, respectively; P<0.05). The sensory traits of LTL meat were affected by SM dietary inclusion: a higher herbaceous odour was observed in SM2 compared to C and SM1 (P<0.001) treatments, whereas rabbit odour followed an opposite trend with C receiving a higher score compared to SM1 and SM2 (P<0.05). Panelists also perceived a stronger rabbit flavour in C than in SM1 and SM2 meat (2.40 vs. 1.90 and 1.70, P<0.05; P<0.001). Silybum marianum seems to be a promising natural feed additive to improve the health condition of growing rabbits. Differently, the antioxidant activity of Silybum marianum was not confirmed when considering fresh meat of rabbits supplemented with the inclusion levels of the present experiment. The dietary supplementation with Silybum marianum changed then sensory characteristics of rabbit loin thus, in the future, consumer acceptability should be also carefully assessed

Effect of Carduus marianum herb on the productive performances of growing rabbits

The European ban of AGPs in the animal feed from 2006 had 151 revived doubts previously considered dismissed, such as those regarding the control of the farm animal productive performances and health status protection. Carduus marianum is an herbaceous plant from the Mediterranean countries traditionally used in liver and gastrointestinal diseases as natural remedy. In the present study was shown the efficacy of Carduus marianum podwer feed addictive in the growing rabbit performances. 144 animals were divided in three groups: the control group (C=51 animals) was fed with a basal diet, the other two groups received the basal diet with supplementation of Carduus marianum herbal power in two concentrations: 0.5% (H1, n=48) or 1.0% (H2, n=45). The rabbits were reared from 5th to 11th weeks and, subsequently, were slaughtered, then carcasses were weighed, chilled for 24 h at 3 \ub0C, dissected and carcass yield were calculated. Fore, mid and hind parts were dissected and the percentage on the chilled carcass was calculated. The results showed how growth performances and carcass traits were not affected by supplementation of Carduus marianum herbal extract, with exception of H2 mortality values that were lower (P<0.05) particularly during the week 7-8

Profiles of criteria and non-criteria anti-phospholipid autoantibodies are associated with clinical phenotypes of the antiphospholipid syndrome

Specific anti-phospholipids antibodies (aPLs) are used as classification criteria of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). These aPLs, although essential for diagnosis, do not predict disease phenotypes, which may require specific therapies. Non-criteria aPLs are rarely evaluated and their role is yet to be defined. In the current study, we aimed to examine the association between criteria and non-criteria aPLs and APS phenotypes

Selective sweep at the Rpv3 locus in mildew resistant grapevines

The Rpv3 locus is a major determinant of downy mildew resistance in grapevine (Vitis spp.). A selective sweep at this locus was revealed by the DNA genotyping of 580 grapevines, which include a highly diverse set of 265 European varieties that predated the spread of North American mildews, 82 accessions of wild species, and 233 registered breeding lines with North American ancestry produced in the past 150 years. ArtiWcial hybridisation and subsequent phenotypic selection favoured a few Rpv3 haplotypes that were introgressed from wild vines and retained in released varieties. Seven conserved haplotypes in five descent groups of resistant varieties were traced back to their founders: (1) \u2018Munson\u2019, a cross between two of Hermann Jaeger\u2019s selections of V. rupestris and V. lincecumii made in the early 1880s in Missouri, (2) V. rupestris \u2018Ganzin\u2019, Wrst utilised for breeding in 1879 by Victor Ganzin in France, (3) \u2018Noah\u2019, selected in 1869 from intermingled accessions of V. riparia and V. labrusca by Otto Wasserzieher in Illinois, (4) \u2018Bayard\u2019, a V. rupestris \ua3 V. labrusca oVspring generated in 1882 by George Couderc in France, and (5) a wild form closely related to V. rupestris accessions in the Midwestern United States and introgressed into \u2018Seibel 4614\u2019 in the 1880s by Albert Seibel in France. Persistence of these Rpv3 haplotypes across many of the varieties generated by human intervention indicates that a handful of vines with prominent resistance have laid the foundation for modern grape breeding. A rampant hot spot of NB-LRR genes at the Rpv3 locus has provided a distinctive advantage for the adaptation of native North American grapevines to withstand downy mildew. The coexistence of multiple resistance alleles or paralogues in the same chromosomal region but in diVerent haplotypes counteracts efforts to pyramidise them in a diploid individual via conventional breeding

Quasar Candidates behind the Milky Way Disk and M31

Quasars behind the Milky Way, M31 and other nearby galaxies are useful for absorption line studies. Here we report spectroscopic follow-up of four quasar candidates behind the Galactic plane and two behind the Andromeda galaxy