Effects of parity and type of kidding on the quantitative and qualitative milk characteristics of "Rossa Mediterranea" goats

AbstractThe "Rossa Mediterranea " goat, also called "Derivata di Siria " has become much more widespread in Sicily over the last ten years. It is a goat characterised by its robustness and ability ..

Morphological traits of the "Pantesco" donkey

The Pantelleria donkey is mentioned in prestigious zootechnical texts and treatises of the late 19th and early 20th century Authors such as Chiari, Mascheroni, Dechambre and others. In ancient times, when the Arab colonial extension in the Mediterranean reached its peak, a number of donkeys was transferred to the isle of Pantelleria southwest from Sicily. They served as draft animals and means of locomotion. In this environment scarcely suitable for the breeding of farm animals, considering the geo-morphological conditions of the island one of the most precious and valued donkey races of the Mediterranean basin has its origins: the Pantelleria donkey. Unfortunately, during World War II, Pantelleria was transferred in one of the most important theatres of war in the Mediterranean and the few remaining subjects of the race, once highly esteemed and frequently exported, were almost extirpated. Since then, various efforts have been made to recover the "Pantesco" donkey, but only in 1989 the Regional Forest Administration launched a project to reconstitute this particular population. Owing to comprehensive and accurate research, three males and six females with a percentage of 80 to 90% of "Pantesco" blood could be recovered. The aim of this recovery plan was to prevent the loss of a genotype of great historical and biological value in Sicily no less than in other European and Asian regions. Currently the "Pantesco" donkey population finally registered at the general index of equine races and populations consists of 51 subjects. The objective of our study was to determine the morphological type of this donkey population in order to provide useful data for its ethnic identification. The most significant morphometric traits of the thirty "Pantesco" donkeys examined (15 brood-mares, 13 stallions and 2 colts; those born after 2004 -15 subjects were excluded from measurements ) were measured in an erect position, using Lydtin's stick, calliper and flexible meter, and the most significant morphometric indices were calculated in order to provide for a reliable identification of the morphological type. The data obtained mean values ± sd (withers height:123.35±4.28cm; rump height: 129.43±4.43cm; chest height: 51.88±3.38cm; chest breadth: 28.61±6.66cm; body length: 124.82±8.86cm; lateral conformation body index :99.12±4.71; longitudinal thoracic section index: 41.65±2.42; body proportion index: 84.58±3.79; thorax height index: 42.05±2.07; pelvic index: 27.82±4.16; head length index: 42,28±1.53 and dactylo-thoracic index: 11.28±0.85 ), suggest that the "Pantesco" population can be assigned to the dolichomorphic type

HIV RNA Suppression and Immune Restoration: Can We Do Better?

HAART has significantly changed the natural history of HIV infection: patients receiving antiretrovirals are usually able to control viremia, even though not all virological responders adequately recover their CD4+ count. The reasons for poor immune restoration are only partially known and they include genetic, demographic and immunologic factors. A crucial element affecting immune recovery is immune activation, related to residual viremia; indeed, a suboptimal virological control (i.e., low levels of plasma HIV RNA) has been related with higher levels of chronic inflammation and all-cause mortality. The sources of residual viremia are not yet completely known, even though the most important one is represented by latently infected cells. Several methods, including 2-LTR HIV DNA and unspliced HIV RNA measurement, have been developed to estimate residual viremia and predict the outcome of antiretroviral therapy. Considering that poor immunologic responders are exposed to a higher risk of both AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related diseases, there is a need of new therapeutic strategies, including immunomodulators and drugs targeting the latent viral reservoirs, in order to face residual viremia but also to “drive” the host immunologic responses

Microbial translocation in chronic liver diseases.

The intestinal microflora is not only involved in the digestion of nutrients, but also in local immunity, forming a barrier against pathogenic microorganisms. The derangement of the gut microflora may lead to microbial translocation, defined as the passage of viable microorganisms or bacterial products (i.e., LPS, lipopeptides) from the intestinal lumen to the mesenteric lymph nodes and other extraintestinal sites. The most recent evidence suggests that microbial translocation (MT) may occur not only in cirrhosis, but also in the early stage of several liver diseases, including alcoholic hepatopathy and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Different mechanisms, such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, increased permeability of intestinal mucosa, and impaired immunity, may favor MT. Furthermore, MT has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the complications of cirrhosis, which are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic subjects. Therapeutic strategies aiming at modulating the gut microflora and reducing MT have focused on antibiotic-based options, such as selective intestinal decontamination, and nonantibiotic-based options, such as prokinetics and probiotics. In particular, probiotics may represent an attractive strategy, even though the promising results of experimental models and limited clinical studies need to be confirmed in larger randomized trials

New Insights into the Occurrence of Matrix Metalloproteases -2 and -9 in a Cohort of Breast Cancer Patients and Proteomic Correlations

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are a family of well-known enzymes which operate prevalently in the extracellular domain, where they fulfil the function of remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM). Within the 26 family members, encoded by 24 genes in humans, MMP-2 and MMP-9 have been regarded as primarily responsible for the basement membrane and peri-cellular ECM rearrangement. In cases of infiltrating carcinomas, which arise from the epithelial tissues of a gland or of an internal organ, a marked alteration of the expression and the activity levels of both MMPs is known to occur. The present investigation represents the continuation and upgrading of our previous studies, now focusing on the occurrence and intensity levels of MMP-2 and -9 and their proteomic correlations in a cohort of 80 breast cancer surgical tissues

Ajwain (Trachyspermum copticum) extract in broiler diets: effect on growth performance, carcass components, plasma constituents, immunity and cecum microflora

Hypothesis is that dietary ajwain (Trachyspermum copticum L.), a phytogenic feed additive, could improve the performance of broiler chickens. On a total of 200 Ross 308 male broilers, during the 42-d growing period (starter: day 1–14; grower: day 15–28 and finisher: day 29–42), varying levels of ajwain alcoholic extract (0, 150, 350 and 450 ppm) were added to the drinking water. A control treatment containing the Virginiamycin antibiotic was also studied. Within each treatment and period, the performances were evaluated and the Economic index calculated. On day 42, two birds per pen were killed and the carcase and organ weights determined. On day 42, on two birds per pen, blood samples were collected on the farm to study the serum parameters. On birds, vaccinated against sheep red blood cells at 14 and 35 days, blood samples were collected at 21 and 42 days of age to determine total Ig, IgG and IgM antibodies and, at day 42, the spleen and bursa of Fabricius were weighed. The microflora on the caecum content was counted. Ajwain extract significantly (p < .05) influenced productive performances, blood parameters, immune parameters and gut microbiota, indicating its possible role as a substitute for antibiotics in a sustainable poultry industry

Caciocavallo Podolico Cheese, a Traditional Agri-Food Product of the Region of Basilicata, Italy: Comparison of the Cheese’s Nutritional, Health and Organoleptic Properties at 6 and 12 Months of Ripening, and Its Digital Communication

Traditional agri-food products (TAPs) are closely linked to the peculiarities of the territory of origin and are strategic tools for preserving culture and traditions; nutritional and organoleptic peculiarities also differentiate these products on the market. One such product is Caciocavallo Podolico Lucano (CPL), a stretched curd cheese made exclusively from raw milk from Podolian cows, reared under extensive conditions. The objective of this study was to characterise CPL and evaluate the effects of ripening (6 vs. 12 months) on the quality and organoleptic properties, using the technological “artificial senses” platform, of CPL produced and sold in the region of Basilicata, Italy. Additionally, this study represents the first analysis of cheese-related digital communication and trends online. The study found no significant differences between 6-month- and 12-month-ripened cheese, except for a slight increase in cholesterol levels in the latter. CPL aged for 6 and 12 months is naturally lactose-free, rich in bioactive components, and high in vitamin A and antioxidants and has a low PUFA-n6/n3 ratio. The “artificial sensory profile” was able to discriminate the organoleptic fingerprints of 6-month- and 12-month-ripened cheese. The application of a sociosemiotic methodology enabled us to identify the best drivers to create effective communication for this product. The researchers recommend focusing on creating a certification mark linked to the territory for future protection

Characterization by length heterogeneity (LH)-PCR of a hydrogen-producing community obtained in dark fermentation using coastal lake sediment as an inoculum

n/

The Quality of Five Natural, Historical Italian Cheeses Produced in Different Months: Gross Composition, Fat-Soluble Vitamins, Fatty Acids, Total Phenols, Antioxidant Capacity, and Health Index

Five natural historic cheeses of Southern Italy were investigated-Caciocavallo Palermitano (CP), Casizolu del Montiferru (CdM), Vastedda della Valle del Belìce (VVB), Pecorino Siciliano (PS), and Caprino Nicastrese (CN)-which are produced with raw milk and with traditional techniques and tools, from autochthonous breeds reared under an extensive system. The effects of the month of production on gross composition, MUFA, PUFA, PUFA-ω6, PUFA-ω3, α-tocopherol, retinol, cholesterol, TPC, TEAC, and GHIC were evaluated. In CP, CLA, TPC, and GHIC were higher in April than in February. CdM showed higher values in terms of fat, saturated fatty acids, PUFA-ω3, α-tocopherol, TEAC, and GHIC in May than in February and September, while low values in terms of protein, moisture, and CLA were found. In VVB, MUFA, PUFA-ω6, and α-tocopherol increased in June compared with April; conversely, protein, FRAP, and TEAC were higher in April. In PS, protein, CLA, PUFA, PUFA-ω3, α-tocopherol, and GHIC increased in May compared with January; on the contrary, moisture, NaCl, and TEAC showed high values in January. CN showed higher values in terms of PUFA, PUFA-ω6, PUFA-ω3, TPC, TEAC, and GHIC in April and June compared with January. It is shown that each cheese is unique and closely linked to the production area. Cheeses produced in the spring months showed a high nutritional quality due to the greatest presence of healthy compounds originating from an extensive feeding system

Myomir dysregulation and reactive oxygen species in aged human satellite cells

AbstractSatellite cells that reside on the myofibre surface are crucial for the muscle homeostasis and regeneration. Aging goes along with a less effective regeneration of skeletal muscle tissue mainly due to the decreased myogenic capability of satellite cells. This phenomenon impedes proper maintenance and contributes to the age-associated decline in muscle mass, known as sarcopenia. The myogenic potential impairment does not depend on a reduced myogenic cell number, but mainly on their difficulty to complete a differentiation program. The unbalanced production of reactive oxygen species in elderly people could be responsible for skeletal muscle impairments. microRNAs are conserved post-transcriptional regulators implicated in numerous biological processes including adult myogenesis. Here, we measure the ROS level and analyze myomiR (miR-1, miR-133b and miR-206) expression in human myogenic precursors obtained from Vastus lateralis of elderly and young subjects to provide the molecular signature responsible for the differentiation impairment of elderly activated satellite cells