α_S1-casein genetic variants in Sarda goat breed

Sardinia plays an important role in Italian goat breeding; this is due not only to the high extent of its patrimony and production, but also to the fact that the main breed, the Sarda goat, represents an interesting biodiversity source. As regards the morphologic variability, marked differences between subjects reared in the coast and mountain areas were found (Macciotta et al., 2002). These differences are due to the genetic selection on the autochthonous patrimony, set up by breeders and based on coat colour, horn presence and/or on functional criteria (udder shape). The need to improve milk yields also induced various breeders, mainly in those areas with better pasture conditions, to crossbreed the Sarda goats with more productive breeds. The present situation (Pazzola et al., 2002) shows how in the East coastal region (Sarrabus, Ogliastra and Baronia) and in the central mountain areas of Sardinia (Barbagia), subjects with more rural traits are reared (smaller size, small ears, presence of horns, etc.); while in the South and West areas (Sulcis and Guspinese) the influence of the Maltese breed is more evident. Both the productive traits variability (Brandano et al., 1978), and the morphologic aspect, is of great interest. Genetic variability can influence the survival of a sector hindered by the opening of the markets and by the strong competitiveness of zootechnical areas technologically more advanced. According to this point of view, considering that casein fractions are closely related to milk technological characteristics (Grosclaude et al., 1994), and to its possible productive differentiation (Remeuf, 1993), a study on αS1-casein allelic frequency was carried out, related also to the breeding region. The aim of the study is to acquire useful information in order to suggest an appropriate utilization of milk, to detect possible new alleles and to test the correlation between casein phenotype and morphology of the animals

Influence of body weight on reproductive activity in Sarda female lambs

One way to improve reproductive performance of ewes is through extending its lifetime productivity. Breeding ewe lambs is one method of improving the reproductive performance in the sheep. In order to produce an offspring when the ewe lamb is approximately 1 yr of age, the autumn-born ewe must obtain puberty before the autumn breeding season begins. Onset of puberty is determined by integration of both internal and external factors, which then enable the neuroendocrine or hormonal event occur (Shirley et al., 2001). Age, photoperiod and body weight are the principal factors influencing puberty. The age at onset of the reproductive activity in the sheep is different among the various breeds. In the Sarda lambs the age of the onset of puberty is about 7-8 months. However the animals that have this age don’t reach the puberty if photoperiod and body weight are not suitable. Both the female lambs born in October-November and in February reach puberty in the same subsequent autumn breeding season. This reproductive behaviour evidences that photoperiod plays an important role in the onset of puberty (Papachristoforou et al., 2000).The female lambs born in later spring uneasily reach puberty within the subsequent breeding season, although photoperiod is favourable. This retard in the onset of reproductive activity is due to the attainment of the body maturity only during subsequent long day period but they reach reproductive activity only during the autumn of the subsequent year (Foster et al., 1985). In fact, some authors suggested that besides photoperiod and age, attainment of the 60% of adult weight is essential for onset of puberty (Abecia et al., 2001). Indeed the undernourished animals delay puberty, in comparison to well nourished subjects (I’Anson et al., 1997). This behaviour is linked to the different LH pulse frequency: restricted diet lambs show one pulse per 4 hours, instead fed ad libitum subjects manifest four or five pulse per 4 hours (Ebling et al., 1990). The purpose of this investigation is to determine the onset of puberty and to research its linkage with body weight in Sarda female lambs during breeding season under natural condition

Early and Sustained Elevation in Serum Pancreatic Amylase Activity: A Novel Predictor of Morbidity After Pancreatic Surgery

Objective:To characterize early postoperative serum pancreatic amylase (spAMY) trends after pancreatic resections. Summary Background Data:A postoperative spAMY elevation is a common finding but uncertainties remain about its meaning and prognostic implications. Methods:Analysis of patients who consecutively underwent pancreatectomy from 2016 to 2019. spAMY activity was assessed from postoperative day (POD) 0 to 3. Different patterns of spAMY have been identified based on the spAMY standard range (10-52 U/l). Results:Three patterns were identified: (#1) spAMY values always < the lower limit of normal/within the reference range /a single increase in spAMY > upper limit of normal at any POD; (#2) Sustained increase in spAMY activity on POD 0 + 1; (#3) Sustained increase in spAMY activity including POD 1 + 2. Shifting through spAMY patterns was associated with increase morbidity (21% in #1 to 68% in #3 at POD 7; log rank < 0.001). Almost all severe complications (at least Clavien-Dindo >= 3) occurred in patients with pattern #3 (15% vs 3% vs 5% in #1 and #2 at POD 7, P = 0.006), without difference considering >3-times or >the spAMY normal limit (P = 0.85). POPF (9% in #1 vs 48% in #3, P < 0.001) progressively increased across patterns. Pre-operative diabetes (OR 0.19), neoadjuvant therapy (OR 0.22), pancreatic texture (OR 8.8), duct size (OR 0.78), and final histology (OR 2.2) were independent predictors of pattern #3. Conclusions:A sustained increase in spAMY activity including POD 1 + 2 (#3) represents an early postoperative predictor of overall and severe early morbidity. An early and dynamic evaluation of spAMY could crucially impact the subsequent clinical course with relevant prognostic implications

Body composition parameters, immunonutritional indexes, and surgical outcome of pancreatic cancer patients resected after neoadjuvant therapy: A retrospective, multicenter analysis

Background and aims: Body composition parameters and immunonutritional indexes provide useful information on the nutritional and inflammatory status of patients. We sought to investigate whether they predict the postoperative outcome in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) who received neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and then pancreaticoduodenectomy. Methods: Data from locally advanced PC patients who underwent NAT followed by pancreaticoduodenectomy between January 2012 and December 2019 in four high-volume institutions were collected retrospectively. Only patients with two available CT scans (before and after NAT) and immunonutritional indexes (before surgery) available were included. Body composition was assessed and immunonutritional indexes collected were: VAT, SAT, SMI, SMA, PLR, NLR, LMR, and PNI. The postoperative outcomes evaluated were overall morbidity (any complication occurring), major complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3), and length of stay. Results: One hundred twenty-one patients met the inclusion criteria and constituted the study population. The median age at the diagnosis was 64 years (IQR16), and the median BMI was 24 kg/m2 (IQR 4.1). The median time between the two CT-scan examined was 188 days (IQR 48). Skeletal muscle index (SMI) decreased after NAT, with a median delta of −7.8 cm2/m2 (p < 0.05). Major complications occurred more frequently in patients with a lower pre-NAT SMI (p = 0.035) and in those who gained in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) compartment during NAT (p = 0.043). Patients with a gain in SMI experienced fewer major postoperative complications (p = 0.002). The presence of Low muscle mass after NAT was associated with a longer hospital stay [Beta 5.1, 95%CI (1.5, 8.7), p = 0.006]. An increase in SMI from 35 to 40 cm2/m2 was a protective factor with respect to overall postoperative complications [OR 0.43, 95% (CI 0.21, 0.86), p < 0.001]. None of the immunonutritional indexes investigated predicted the postoperative outcome. Conclusion: Body composition changes during NAT are associated with surgical outcome in PC patients who receive pancreaticoduodenectomy after NAT. An increase in SMI during NAT should be favored to ameliorate the postoperative outcome. Immunonutritional indexes did not show to be capable of predicting the surgical outcome

Haplotype Affinities Resolve a Major Component of Goat (Capra hircus) MtDNA D-Loop Diversity and Reveal Specific Features of the Sardinian Stock

Goat mtDNA haplogroup A is a poorly resolved lineage absorbing most of the overall diversity and is found in locations as distant as Eastern Asia and Southern Africa. Its phylogenetic dissection would cast light on an important portion of the spread of goat breeding. The aims of this work were 1) to provide an operational definition of meaningful mtDNA units within haplogroup A, 2) to investigate the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of diversity by considering the modes of selection operated by breeders and 3) to identify the peculiarities of Sardinian mtDNA types. We sequenced the mtDNA D-loop in a large sample of animals (1,591) which represents a non-trivial quota of the entire goat population of Sardinia. We found that Sardinia mirrors a large quota of mtDNA diversity of Western Eurasia in the number of variable sites, their mutational pattern and allele frequency. By using Bayesian analysis, a distance-based tree and a network analysis, we recognized demographically coherent groups of sequences identified by particular subsets of the variable positions. The results showed that this assignment system could be reproduced in other studies, capturing the greatest part of haplotype diversity

Learning Curve della Chirurgia Epatica del Risparmio d'Organo per lesioni tumorali profonde: uno studio retrospettivo su 126 interventi consecutivi

Introduction. Parenchyma sparing hepatectomy (PSH) assures adequate future liver remnant (FLR) for deep located tumours, however, PSH requires complex surgical procedures with a learning curve that has never been analysed. Methods. Data from 126 consecutive patients treated with a PSH during the first 9 years of practice were registered in a prospective database. One patient with preoperative total bilirubin >5 mg/dl was excluded. The initial period (4y) of low (14/y) case volume were compared. Results. Low (n=24) and high (n=101) case volume groups were comparable (P>0.05) for patient’s baseline characteristics, PSH requiring HV exposure/resection (92% vs 78%), PSH with vascular reconstruction (25% vs 25%), extrahepatic surgical procedures (25% vs 28%), median blood loss (150 vs 150 ml), blood transfusion (37% vs 27%), overall (50% vs 38%) and severe (8% vs 8%) postoperative complications and median length of stay (8.5 vs 9 days). Overall 90-day mortality was 1.6%. In high volume case period there was an increasing attitude in first/second order glissonian pedicles exposure (33% vs 68%; P=0.001) and the mean biggest lesion size was greater (41+24 cm vs 55+37 cm, P=0.034). Furthermore the operative time was shorter (714+316 min vs 595+242 min, P=0.048) and the resected liver surface per minute was larger (0.93+0.35 cm2/min vs 1.44+0.69 cm2/min, P=0.001). Conclusions. The learning curve had significant impact on the operative time and on the surface area resected per minute, in spite of an increased attitude in first/second order glissonian pedicles exposure and increased mean biggest lesion size

Relationships between body condition score, milk yield and milk composition of Sarda goat

In order to assess the correlation between body condition score (BCS), milk yield and milk fatty acid (FA) composition, 25 lactating Sarda breed goats were studied. BCS and milk yield were measured monthly, and milk samples for fat, protein, lactose and fatty acid profi le analysis were collected. Statistical analysis showed signifi cant correlations between numerous fatty acids and BCS. From these results, it comes out a strong link between milk fatty acid composition and nutritional status of the animal, which could be guided, not only to improve milk productions, but also to characterize its quality

Blood concentration of GH and leptin in developing Sarda goats

In this research the blood levels of leptin, GH and glucose and its correlations with body weight, during the development of 20 Sardinian goat kids, was studied, from weaning up to the age of seven months. Blood levels of leptin and GH showed an increase (P<0.01) in relation to the rise of the animal’s body weight and a decrease upon reaching 28 kg. Leptin was found to positively correlate with GH and glucose and negatively correlate with weight. The variations of leptin ratios and their correlation with GH indicate an involvement of the lipidic hormone in regulating metabolism during development