Epidemiological significance of the domestic Black Pig ( Sus scrofa) in the maintenance of Bovine Tuberculosis in Sicily

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an emerging disease among wild animals in many parts of the world. Wildlife reservoir hosts may thus represent a potential source of infection for livestock and humans. We investigated the role played by the Sicilian black pig, an autochthonous free- or semi-free-ranging domestic pig breed, as a potential source of bTB infection in an area where bTB prevalence in cattle is high. We initially performed a preliminary field study to assess the occurrence of bTB in such animals. We sampled 119 pigs at abattoir and found 6.7% and 3.4% of them to be affected by gross tuberculous-like lesions (TBL) and Mycobacterium bovis culture positive, respectively. We then proceeded to investigate the dissemination and characteristics of lesions in a second field study performed on 100 animals sampled from infected herds. Here, tissues collected at the abattoir were examined macroscopically, microscopically, and by culture tests. Most pigs with TBL showed generalized lesions in both gross and histological examinations (53% and 65.5%, respectively). Head lymph nodes were the most frequently affected in both localized and generalized TB cases observed macroscopically and microscopically. M. bovis was the most frequently isolated etiologic agent. The molecular characterization of isolates from both field studies by spoligotyping and analysis of 12 mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit–variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) loci, followed by their comparison to isolates of cattle origin, suggested a potential transmission of mycobacteria from domestic animals to black pigs and vice versa. Our findings, along with ethological, ecological, and management considerations, suggest that the black pig might act as a bTB reservoir in the ecosystem under study. However, additional studies will be necessary to establish the true epidemiological significance of the Sicilian black pig

Immunodetection of retinoblastoma-related protein and its phosphorylated form in interphase and mitotic alfalfa cells

Plant retinoblastoma-related (RBR) proteins are primarily considered as key regulators of G1/S phase transition, with functional roles in a variety of cellular events during plant growth and organ development. Polyclonal antibody against the C-terminal region of the Arabidopsis RBR1 protein also specifically recognizes the alfalfa 115 kDa MsRBR protein, as shown by the antigen competition assay. The MsRBR protein was detected in all cell cycle phases, with a moderate increase in samples representing G2/M cells. Antibody against the human phospho-pRb peptide (Ser807/811) cross-reacted with the same 115 kDa MsRBR protein and with the in vitro phosphorylated MsRBR protein C-terminal fragment. Phospho-MsRBR protein was low in G1 cells. Its amount increased upon entry into the S phase and remained high during the G2/M phases. Roscovitine treatment abolished the activity of alfalfa MsCDKA1;1 and MsCDKB2;1, and the phospho-MsRBR protein level was significantly decreased in the treated cells. Colchicine block increased the detected levels of both forms of MsRBR protein. Reduced levels of the MsRBR protein in cells at stationary phase or grown in hormone-free medium can be a sign of the division-dependent presence of plant RBR proteins. Immunolocalization of the phospho-MsRBR protein indicated spots of variable number and size in the labelled interphase nuclei and high signal intensity of nuclear granules in prophase. Structures similar to phospho-MsRBR proteins cannot be recognized in later mitotic phases. Based on the presented western blot and immunolocalization data, the possible involvement of RBR proteins in G2/M phase regulation in plant cells is discussed

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated to Mycobacterium bovis in Wild Artiodactyl Species from Southern Spain, 2006–2010

The control of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is at a critical point in the last stage of eradication in livestock. Wildlife species recently have emerged infected with TB in Europe, particularly ungulates in the Iberian Peninsula. Epidemiological information regarding TB in wild ungulates including affected species, prevalence, associated risk factors and appropriate diagnostic methods need to be obtained in these countries

Histological and immunohistochemical features suggesting aetiological differences in lymph node and (muco)cutaneous feline tuberculosis lesions

Objectives To identify and describe histological and immunohistochemical criteria that may differentiate between skin and lymph node lesions associated with Mycobacterium (M.) bovis and M. microti in a diagnostic pathology setting.Materials and Methods<jats:p/>Archived skin and lymph node biopsies of tuberculous lesions were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Ziehl‐Neelsen and Masson's Trichrome. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of calprotectin, CD3 and Pax5. Samples were scored for histological parameters (i.e. granulomas with central necrosis versus small granulomas without central necrosis, percentage necrosis and/or multinucleated giant cells), number of acid‐fast bacilli (bacterial index) and lesion percentage of fibrosis and positive immunohistochemical staining.Results Twenty‐two samples were examined (M. bovis n=11, M. microti n=11). When controlling for age, gender and tissue, feline M. bovis‐associated lesions more often featured large multi‐layered granulomas with central necrosis. Conversely, this presentation was infrequent in feline M. microti‐associated lesions, where small granulomas without central necrosis predominated. The presence of an outer fibrous capsule was variable in both groups, as was the bacterial index. There were no differences in intralesional expression of immunohistochemical markers.Clinical Significance Differences in the histological appearance of skin and lymph node lesions may help to infer feline infection with either M. bovis or M. microti at an earlier stage when investigating these cases, informing clinicians of the potential zoonotic risk. Importantly, cases of tuberculosis can present with numerous acid‐fast bacilli. This implies that a high bacterial index does not infer infection with non‐zoonotic non‐tuberculous mycobacteria

Management models for public cultural heritage: a comparison between the Italian and Russian approaches

Both the Russian and Italian governments are currently promoting a business-oriented ap-proach for the management of cultural heritage and the cooperation between public and private parties. The comparison of the adopted management models could foster the ex-change of knowledge between the two different countries, recognize the weak and strength aspects of the governance and identify which can be appropriate solutions for each specific context. The proposal tries to demonstrate that these policies can support the conservation and valorization of the built cultural heritage, encouraging an holistic approach in sustaina-ble development from the economic, social, environmental and cultural perspectives

Microfluidic sensor for noncontact detection of cell flow in a microchannel

A microfluidic sensor for detection of cells flowing in a microchannel is presented. The sensor consists of a PDMS (PolyDiMethylSiloxane) layer with two planar microreservoirs connected by a microchannel. The bottom sides of the microreservoirs are faced to two sensing electrodes realized on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board). A noncontact measurement is ensured by an insulator layer between the electrodes and the fluid. Particles flowing in the microchannel cause changes in the conductivity of the narrow path formed by the fluid, producing variations in the impedance between the electrodes. A tailored electronic interface based on a DDS (Direct Digital Synthesis) device is proposed to measure the impedance variations. In the experimental tests, the cell flow is detected by changes in the effective capacitance and conductance between electrodes. These preliminary results are promising for biological measurements such as counting and sizing of cells in different matrices

A maize histone deacetylase and retinoblastoma-related protein physically interact and cooperate in repressing gene transcription

In mammalian cells the product of the human retinoblastoma tumour suppressor gene (pRb) can recruit Rpd3-like histone deacetylases to repress transcription. In this study, we investigated whether this mechanism might also be relevant in plants and found both conserved and distinct features. The expression profiles of the Zea mays Rpd3- type histone deacetylase (ZmRpd3I) and the retinoblastoma-related (ZmRBR1) homologues were analysed during endosperm development. GST pull-down and immunoprecipitation experiments showed a physical interaction between ZmRBR1 and ZmRpd3I. Because ZmRpd3I lacks a LXCXE motif, conserved in several pRb-interacting proteins, we have mapped the amino acid domains involved in the ZmRBR1/ZmRpd3I interaction. Furthermore, we observed that ZmRbAp1, a maize member of the MSI/RbAp family, facilitated this protein interaction. Cotransformations of tobacco protoplasts with plasmids expressing ZmRBR1 and ZmRpd3I showed that the two proteins cooperate in repressing gene transcription. Our findings represent the first indication that in plants a regulator of important biological processes, ZmRBR1, can recruit a histone deacetylase, ZmRpd3I, to control gene transcription