Survey and new insights in the application of PCR‐based molecular markers for identification of HMW‐GS at the Glu‐B1 locus in durum and bread wheat

Wheat, among all cereal grains, possesses unique characteristics conferred by gluten; in particular, high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW‐GS) are of considerable interest as they strictly relate to bread‐making quality and contribute to strengthening and stabilizing dough. Thus, the identification of allelic composition, in particular at the Glu‐B1 locus, is very important to wheat quality improvement. Several PCR‐based molecular markers to tag‐specific HMW glutenin genes encoding Bx and By subunits have been developed in recent years. This study provides a survey of the molecular markers developed for the HMW‐GS at the Glu‐B1 locus. In addition, a selection of molecular markers was tested on 31 durum and bread wheat cultivars containing the By8, By16, By9, Bx17, Bx6, Bx14 and Bx17 Glu‐B1 alleles, and a new assignation was defined for the ZSBy9_aF1/R3 molecular marker that was specific for the By20 allele. We believe the results constitute a practical guide for results that might be achieved by these molecular markers on populations and cultivars with high variability at the Glu‐B1 locus.     

Oxidative damage mediated by herbicides on yeast cells

Agricultural herbicides are among the most commonly used pesticides worldwide, posing serious concerns for both humans, exposed to these chemicals through many routes, and the environment. To clarify the effects of three herbicides as commercial formulations (namely, Pointer, Silglif, and Proper Energy), parameters related to oxidative issues were investigated on an autochthonous wine yeast strain. It was demonstrated that herbicides were able to affect the enzymatic activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, as well as to induce carbonylation and thiol oxidation as post-translational modifications of proteins. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an optimal model system to study responses to xenobiotics and oxidative stress. Thus, the results obtained could further the understanding of mechanisms underlying the toxicity of herbicides.     

Protective effect of the AT137RQ and ARQK176 PrP alleles against classical scrapie in Sarda breed sheep

The susceptibility of sheep to scrapie is under the control of the host’s prion protein (PrP) gene and is also influenced by the strain of the agent. PrP polymorphisms at codons 136 (A/V), 154 (R/H) and 171 (Q/R/H) are the main determinants of susceptibility/resistance of sheep to classical scrapie. They are combined in four main variants of the wild-type ARQ allele: VRQ, AHQ, ARH and ARR. Breeding programmes have been undertaken on this basis in the European Union and the USA to increase the frequency of the resistant ARR allele in sheep populations. Herein, we report the results of a multi-flock study showing the protective effect of polymorphisms other than those at codons 136, 154 and 171 in Sarda breed sheep. All ARQ/ARQ affected sheep (n = 154) and 378 negative ARQ/ARQ controls from four scrapie outbreaks were submitted to sequencing of the PrP gene. The distribution of variations other than those at the standard three codons, between scrapie cases and negative controls, was statistically different in all flocks. In particular, the AT₁₃₇RQ and ARQK₁₇₆ alleles showed a clear protective effect. This is the first study demonstrating a protective influence of alleles other than ARR under field conditions. If further investigations in other sheep breeds and with other scrapie sources confirm these findings, the availability of various protective alleles in breeding programmes of sheep for scrapie resistance could be useful in breeds with a low frequency of the ARR allele and would allow maintaining a wider variability of the PrP gene.     

Equivalent effects of snake PLA2 neurotoxins and lysophospholipid-fatty acid mixtures

Snake presynaptic phospholipase A2 neurotoxins (SPANs) paralyze the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Upon intoxication, the NMJ enlarges and has a reduced content of synaptic vesicles, and primary neuronal cultures show synaptic swelling with surface exposure of the lumenal domain of the synaptic vesicle protein synaptotagmin I. Concomitantly, these neurotoxins induce exocytosis of neurotransmitters. We found that an equimolar mixture of lysophospholipids and fatty acids closely mimics all of the biological effects of SPANs. These results draw attention to the possible role of local lipid changes in synaptic vesicle release and provide new tools for the study of exocytosis.     

Subependymal Reaction Secondary to Choroid Plexus Papilloma in a Horse

Choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) is a rare, benign, intracranial neoplasm. The present report described a choroid plexus papilloma of the fourth ventricle with unusual proliferative reaction of ependymal/subependymal cells in a stallion. A single, soft neoformation, red-gray in color, with an irregular surface, resembling a cauliflower, expanding from the fourth ventricle to the cerebellar peduncles was observed. Microscopically, the neoformation was composed of a single layer of simple cuboidal to columnar epithelium with a well-vascularized papillary-arboriform pattern. Multifocal subependymal aggregates forming rosettes were observed near the mesencephalic aqueduct (MA). Glial-fibrillary-acidic-protein (GFAP) was markedly positive only in the neuropil adjacent to the proliferative areas of the MA. Ependymal/subependymal reactions secondary to CPP have never been described in equine or human neuropathology. The capabilities of ependymal cells to regenerate and eventually proliferate are controversial and unclear and, thus, require additional investigation to understand the adaptive mechanisms of this rare pathogenic condition.     

Canine fertility: The consequences of selection for special traits

Pedigree dogs and cats are bred aiming to conform breed standards with very poor consideration for breeding stock fertility. At the same time, the genetic asset underlining reproductive traits could be effectively analysed like in other species under selection. The definition of selection targets is very important in breeding protocols determination. The aim of the present work is to present an overview of the different correlations between reproduction and genetics, starting from selection procedure and inbreeding coefficient moving to genomic and the application of SNPs and GWAS on population study and identification of genes involved in phenotypical variation of reproductive traits in dogs. Particular relevance has been given to the concept of inbreeding which effects on canine reproduction have been presented. The use of genomic information in inbreeding coefficient calculation can be considered an improved effective procedure in the evaluation of the genetic variability loss in canine population and its negative effects on reproductive traits.     

Multiple feather follicle cysts in a Moroseta hen (Gallus gallus)

An 8-month-old white feathered, black skinned Moroseta hen was presented for examination because of numerous 2 mm- to 30 mm-diameter irregularly shaped, hard nodules in the skin of the head, wings, back, and abdomen. The nodules were confined to the skin and did not involve subcutaneous tissues. Nodules consisted of dilated feather follicles packed with a caseous tan-to-pale-yellow material admixed with feather remnants. Histologically, affected feather follicles were markedly dilated and filled with laminated keratin debris. Necrosis of the epidermis and perifollicular lymphocyte infiltration was also present. Bacteriologic investigation of internal organs was negative, while secondary bacteria, Proteus spp. and Bacillus spp., were isolated from skin nodules. A concomitant lice infestation of Menopon spp., as well as leg mange caused by Cnemidocoptes spp., were also present. These bacterial isolates and parasites were not related to the disease condition. The condition observed was differentiated from benign feather follicle tumors, and a diagnosis of multiple feather follicle cysts was made. In addition, a breed predisposition was hypothesized.     

Chemical restraint and anaesthetic effects of a tiletamine-zolazepam/ketamine/detomidine combination in cattle

The immobilisation and anaesthesia of free-ranging cattle requires the administration of appropriate drugs in small volume via rifle or dart. The objective of this randomised controlled study was to test the capacity of a concentrated combination of tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ), ketamine (K) and detomidine (D) (TZKD) to immobilise/anaesthetise calves. Following administration of low, medium and high doses of TZKD to six healthy animals IM, the time-of-onset and duration of anaesthesia were recorded, in addition to standard cardio-respiratory parameters. Two noxious stimuli were applied to assess the analgesic effect of the combination. TZKD produced a dose-dependent anaesthetic action associated with respiratory depression and moderate hypoxaemia. Total recumbency lasted from 1h (with low dose) to 2h (with medium and high doses). The findings indicate that TZKD induces anaesthesia in calves, suitable not only for animal immobilisation, but also to carry out minor surgical procedures with or without additional local analgesia. Respiratory depression was the most severe side-effect and careful patient monitoring is recommended when using this drug combination.     

Retroperitoneal perirenal pseudocyst in a Massese breed ram.

The macroscopic and microscopic features of a retroperitoneal perirenal pseudocyst in a 12-month-old ram without impairment of renal function are described. In humans and animals, uriniferous pseudocysts may be of traumatic origin, resulting from rupture of kidney, renal pelvis, or ureter, or congenital. Lymphatic pseudocysts may develop secondary to inflammatory obstruction of the hilar lymphatics after perinephritis or renal transplantation. In this case, histologic characteristics of the pseudocyst wall were suggestive of development from the parietal peritoneal layer encapsulating the kidney. This is the first case of retroperitoneal perirenal pseudocyst in a sheep.