Mejora del olmo para resistencia a DED: clones italianos y características de su madera

In Italy, an elm breeding program to develop Dutch elm disease-resistant trees has been established by cross-breeding Asian elms with indigenous species, in order to produce individuals that combine resistance of the first with growth characteristics and higher degree of environmental adaptability of the second. Thus, the favourable adaptation of Ulmus pumila in Italy has been explored: «San Zanobi» and «Plinio» are two recent results of this research and many others promising clones as «FL090», «FL146», «FL441», «FL568», «FL634», are in the final stage of field testing. The resistance levels of all these clones were significantly higher level of resistance than «Lobel» and «Urban» in several assessments during different years. First technological tests indicate that the wood characteristics of «San Zanobi» and «FL090» clones are comparable to those of elm wood traditionally present on the market, thus highlighting that those clones is likely to satisfy the elm wood demand. The present characterisation needs to be confirmed by further evaluations of mature trees having bigger diameters and allowing industrial trials, still not available so far.En Italia, el programa de mejora genética del olmo para la obtención de árboles resistentes a la grafiosis se ha desarrollado a partir del cruzamiento de olmos asiáticos con especies nativas, y tiene por objetivo producir individuos que combinen la resistencia de los primeros con las características vegetativas y el alto grado de adaptación al ambiente de los segundos. Por esta razón, se ha aprovechado la favorable adaptación de Ulmus pumila en Italia: «San Zenobi» y «Plinio » son dos resultados recientes de estas investigaciones, y otros muchos clones prometedores como «FL090», «FL146», «FL441», «FL568» y «FL634» están en las fases finales de las pruebas de campo. Los niveles de resistencia de todos estos clones fueron significativamente mayores, en diferentes ensayos, que los niveles de resistencia de «Lobel» y «Urban ». Los primeros ensayos tecnológicos han mostrado que las características de la madera de los clones «San Zenobi» y «FL090» son comparables a los de las maderas de olmo tradicionalmente presentes en el mercado, indicando que esos clones pueden probablemente satisfacer las demandas de madera. La actual caracterización debe ser confirmada con nuevas evaluaciones en árboles maduros de mayores diámetros y mediante ensayos industriales aún no disponibles

Effect of two sous-vide cooking methods on fatty acid composition and oxidative stability of longissimus thoracis muscle from pigs receiving a diet containing or not extruded linseed

To verify the effects of two different sous-vide cooking conditions on lipid oxidation and fatty acid (FA) composition of longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle, 24 pigs, evenly divided into two groups of 12 subjects each, were used. One group received a barley-soya bean meal diet (C) and the second was given the same feed where 5% of extruded linseed partly replaced barley, to obtain a n-3 FA enriched diet (L). At slaughter, from each left half carcase, two samples of LT muscle were collected, packed under vacuum and stored at −18 °C until analysis. The samples were cooked in water bath according to two different methods: at high temperature (80 °C) and short-time i.e. samples left until the core temperaturereached 70 °C (A); at low temperature (60 °C) and long-time (15 h) (B). After cooking, the samples were refrigerated (2 °C) for 24 h. Oxidative stability was measured by a dosage of the 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content, expressed as milligrams of malondialdehyde (MDA)/kg of meat, and FA composition was determined by capillary gas chromatography. The content of each fatty acid is expressed as a percentage of the total FAs detected. The statistical analysis was performed by means of ANOVA, using the GLM procedure of SAS. Dietary treatment (C vs. L) and cooking condition (A vs. B) were used as independent variables. The different sous-vide cooking conditions affected neither lipid oxidation nor FAs percentage of LT muscle. Extruded linseed feeding brought about an increase of the percentage of total n–3 FA (2.67 vs. 0.98; p<.01) and also of polyunsaturated fatty acids (12.02 vs. 9.68; p<.01) in intramuscular fat but did not affect lipid oxidation. This enabled to obtain pork with a more favourable n–6/n–3 ratio (3.68 vs. 10.42 in L and C group, respectively; p<.01), according to the global health guidelines. Thus, an enriched linseed diet ameliorates the FA composition of pork. The effect of the two different sous-vide cooking methods on lipid composition and oxidative stability of pork does not differ, irrespective of dietary treatments

Botulinum-A toxin injections into the detrusor muscle decrease nerve growth factor bladder tissue levels in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity

Purpose: We investigated the effects of BTX-A on visceral afferent nerve transmission by measuring bladder tissue NGF levels in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity before and after intravesical treatment with BTX-A. We also compared the bladder tissue NGF content with clinical and urodynamic data. Materials and Methods: A total of 23 patients underwent clinical evaluation and urodynamics with detection of the UDC threshold, maximum pressure and maximum cystometric capacity before, and at the 1 and 3-month followups. Endoscopic bladder Wall biopsies were also obtained at the same time points. NGF levels were measured in tissue homogenate by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Promega, Madison, Wisconsin). Results: At 1 and 3 months mean catheterization and incontinent episodes were significantly decreased (p < 0.05 and < 0.001, respectively). On urodynamics we detected a significant increase in the UDC threshold and maximum cystometric capacity, and a significant decrease in UDC maximum pressure at the 1 and 3-month followups compared to baseline (each p < 0.001). At the same time points we detected a significant decrease in NGF bladder tissue content (each p < 0.02). Conclusions: BTX-A intravesical treatment induces a state of NGF deprivation in bladder tissue that persists at least up to 4 months. As caused by BTX-A, the decrease in acetylcholine release at the presynaptic level may induce a decrease in detrusor contractility and in NGF production by the detrusor muscle. Alternatively BTX-A can decrease the bladder level of neurotransmitters that normally modulate NGF production and release

Modulating the water oxidation catalytic activity of iridium complexes by functionalizing the Cp*-ancillary ligand: hints on the nature of the active species

The catalytic activity toward NaIO4driven water oxidation of a series of [RCp*IrCl(μ-Cl)]2dimeric precursors, containing tetramethylcyclopentadienyl ligands with a variable R substituent (H,1; Me,2; Et,3;nPr,4; CH2CH2NH3+,5; Ph,6; 4-C6H4F,7; 4-C6H4OH,8; Bn,9), has been evaluated at 298 K and pH = 7 (with phosphate buffer). For each dimer, the effect of changing the catalyst (1-10 μM) and NaIO4(5-40 mM) concentration has been studied. All precursors exhibit a high activity with TOF values ranging from 101 min−1to 393 min−1and TON values being always those expected assuming a 100% yield. The catalytic activity was strongly affected by the nature of the R substituent. The highest TOF values were observed when R was electron-donating and small. The results of multiple consecutive injection experiments suggest that a fragment of the initial C5Me4R, still bearing the R-substituent, remains attached at iridium in the active species, despite the oxidativein situdegradation of the same ligand. The decrease of TOF in the second and third catalytic runs was completely ascribed to a drop of the redox potential caused by the conversion of IO4−into IO3−, according to the Nernst equation. This hypothesis was verified by performing catalytic experiments in which the initial redox potential (ΔE) was deliberately varied by using water solutions of IO4−/IO3−mixtures at different relative concentrations. Consistently, TOFversusΔEplots show that, for a given catalyst, the same TOF is obtained at a certain redox potential, irrespective of the initial reaction conditions used. All seems to indicate that after a short activation period, during which the transformation of the precursors occurs, individual active species for each dimer form and remain the same also after multiple additions of the sacrificial oxidant. It can be speculated that such active species are small iridium clusters bearing R-functionalized likelyO,O-bidentate ligands

Taeniid cestodes in a wolf pack living in a highly anthropic hilly agro-ecosystem

The Italian wolf population in human-modified landscapes has increased greatly in the last few decades. Anthropisation increases the risk of transmission of many zoonotic infections and in this context, control of taeniid cestode species needs to be addressed from a One Health perspective. Predator-prey interactions are at the root of taeniid cestode transmission, and the wolf plays a key role in the maintenance and transmission of taeniids. To date, all available data on the taeniids of wolves in Italy refer to populations living in a wild habitat. Between 2018 and 2019, we investigated taeniids in a wolf pack living in a highly anthropic hilly agro-ecosystem. Thirty-eight faecal samples were collected and analysed, 4 of which were also genetically characterised for individual wolves and belonged to three different animals. Samples collected were analysed microscopically and by molecular analysis in order to identify the taeniid species. Taeniid eggs were detected in 34.2% (13/38) of samples. Within samples positive to taeniid eggs only Echinococcus granulosus s.s. and Taenia hydatigena were identified in 26.3% and 10.5% of the samples, respectively. On microscopic examination, Capillaria spp., Ancylostomatidae and Toxocara canis eggs, Crenosoma vulpis larvae, and coccidian oocysts were also found. The combination of low biodiversity of taeniid species with a high occurrence of E. granulosus s.s. recorded in this study could be the consequence of a deeper link occurring between wolves and livestock in human-modified landscapes than in wild settings

Anisakid and Raphidascaridid parasites in Trachurus trachurus: infection drivers and possible effects on the host’s condition

This study investigated the distribution of nematode larvae of Anisakidae and Raphidascarididae (genera Anisakis and Hysterothylacium) in Trachurus trachurus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Ligurian and central-northern Tyrrhenian Seas. The relationship between the number of parasites and the length and weight parameters of the fish was assessed, and the possible effect of the parasites on the condition factor was evaluated. A total of 190&nbsp;T. trachurus specimens were collected in July 2019. Parasites were found in 70 individuals. A total of 161 visible larvae were collected in the viscera. Morphological analysis revealed the presence of Anisakis spp. in 55 fish and Hysterothylacium spp. in 15 fish, while 5 fish showed coinfection with both genera. The specimens subjected to PCR (n = 67) showed that 85% of the Anisakis larvae analyzed belonged to the species A. pegreffii, while the remaining 15% belonged to hybrids of A. pegreffii-A. simplex (s.s.). A total of 58% (n = 7) of the Hysterothylacium larvae analyzed belonged to the species H. fabri, while 42% belonged to the species H. aduncum. Our results support the hypothesis that infection with these parasites does not affect the condition of the fish host analyzed, and that body size and depth are major drivers in determining infection levels with Anisakid and Raphidascaridid nematodes

The Italian registry of aggressive rheumatoid arthritis -- the GIARA project.

Objective. In 1999, the Italian Society of Rheumatology started a project to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of aggressive rheumatoid arthritis (ARA). Methods. For I year, all patients with RA for 2 to 2 to 1.5, female sex, and RF positivity. Conditions other than RA were recorded in about 50% of the patients, and only 30%-40% were taking disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. Conclusion. In an Italian RA population, the GIARA (Gruppo Italiano Artrite Reumatoide Aggressiva) criteria for ARA were met by 15% of the patients with disease duration of 2 years, but erosions were seen in 35%. Upon referral, most of the RA patients were inadequately treated and had other conditions

Effect of a health education intervention on intestinal parasitic infections in Bolivian children

Abstract Backgrounds Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) are a major health issue for children of low- and middle-income countries. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices are crucial for preventing IPI. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a school-based health education intervention on handwashing behavior and IPI prevalence in children Methods This is a randomized intervention trial in 8 primary schools in rural communities over the course of 3 school years; preliminary results from the first two years of the trial are here presented. Schools were randomly selected and assigned in a 1:1 ratio to intervention or control (no intervention) groups. For each school year, the intervention included 14 school-based educational sessions and 2 skit events, involving children aged 8-12 years. Knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire and handwashing at key events was assessed at the beginning and end of each school year. IPI prevalence was assessed with repeated cross-sectional parasitology surveys 12 months apart, involving a minimum of 50 children for each school Results At baseline, no significant differences between intervention and control schools were present in the proportion of children who washed their hands at key events (7.2% vs 9.3%, p = 0.28), in IPI (79.4% vs 75.3%, p = 0.3) and multiple parasitic infections (MPI) prevalences (47.6 vs. 38.6; p = 0.051). At the end of the second year, the percentage of children who washed their hands at key events was significantly higher in the intervention schools (75.4% vs 12.1%, p &lt; 0.001), and the prevalence of IPI and MPI in the intervention schools were respectively about 25% and 15% lower than in the control schools (respectively, 42.9% vs 67.8%, p &lt; 0.001; 16.1% vs 31.6%, p &lt; 0.001) Conclusions A school-based health education intervention could achieve significant changes in hand-washing behaviors and reduction in the prevalence of IPI in children. The third year survey results are needed to confirm these findings Key messages An health education intervention on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices can reduce the risk of IPI infection in children. An health education intervention on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices could be configured as a sustainable long-term approach to intestinal parasitic infections control in children

Effect of feeding maltodextrins and dextrose on rearing and slaughtering performance of immunocastrated male pigs

This study aimed to verify previous research findings showing that feeding maltodextrins (M) and dextrose (D) leads to a reduction of voluntary feed intake in the Italian heavy pig. This may be interesting for immunocastrated pigs fed ad libitum (ad lib.), whose feed intake skyrockets after the 2nd vaccination, causing too fatty carcasses at slaughtering. Thirty-six male pigs (Italian Duroc x Italian Large White crossbred) received a double immunocastrating injection at 90 and 162 days of age. At 120 days, weighing 51.84+4.38 kg, the subjects were evenly housed in 9 boxes, fed ad lib. till the 2nd injection and then given, until slaughtering (197 days of age; 144.51±9.70 kg), one of the experimental diets: control diet, ad lib. (CL); control diet, restricted at 7.5% l.w.0.75 (CR); with MD (3.5 + 3.5%; adjusted for energy and protein), ad lib. (MD). The CR diet was introduced as the alternative choice to avoid too fatty carcasses. Compared to the restricted ones, pigs fed ad lib. (with or without MD) showed statistically higher (P&lt;.01) ADG (1325 and 1325 vs 905 g/d), ADFI (4630 and 4637 vs 2760 g/d), feed:gain ratio (3.53 and 3.52 vs 3.11), and heavier carcasses (125.1 and 124.4 vs 113.2 kg; P&lt;.01) with lower lean meat content (52.21 and 52.09 vs 55.83 %; P&lt;.01). The results point out how immunocastrated pigs fed ad lib. showed similar rearing and slaughtering performance regardless of the inclusion of M and D in the diet