Firm Demography and Regional Development: Evidence from Italy

This article contributes to the literature on firm demography and regional development in at least three different ways. First, consumption, rather than employment, which is the most common variable seen in literature, is used to measure the impact of firm demography on regional development. Second, while the literature is mainly focused on the relationship between new business formation and regional development, we investigate both entry and exit flows of firms. Third, we decompose each of these flows into spatial and sectoral components. The empirical investigation looks at the Italian regions with reference to the period 2004–2009. Results seem to be substantially divergent between the South and the rest of Italy.     

The effect of erector spinae plane block on perioperative analgesic consumption and complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy surgery: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo compare the perioperative use of analgesics and complication rates in dogs administered an erector spinae plane (ESP) block or a traditional opioid-based (OP) treatment as part of analgesic management during hemilaminectomy.Study designRetrospective cohort study.AnimalsMedical records of 114 client-owned dogs.MethodsGeneral data included demographics, duration of procedure, number of laminae fenestrated, perioperative use of steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Intra- and postoperative analgesics used in 48 hours and complications rates were compared between groups. Opioid use was expressed in morphine equivalents [ME (mg kg^?1)]. Continuous data were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test and incidence of events with a Fisher's exact tests. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate association between perioperative ME consumption (dependent variable) with other independent variables. Data are presented as median (range). Differences were considered significant when p < 0.05.ResultsGroup ESP comprised 42 dogs and group OP 72 dogs. No differences were observed in the general data. Intraoperative ME was 0.65 (0.20–3.74) and 0.79 (0.19–5.60) mg kg^?1 in groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.03). Intraoperative infusion of lidocaine was administered intravenously (IV) to 23.8% and 68% of groups ESP and OP, respectively (p < 0.0001). Intraoperative infusion of ketamine was administered IV to 21% and 40% of groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.04). Regression analysis revealed the ESP block as the only independent variable affecting the perioperative ME consumption. Pharmacological intervention to treat cardiovascular complications was administered to 21.4% and 47.2% of dogs in groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.008). There were no differences in postoperative complication rates.Conclusions and clinical relevanceESP block was associated with reduced perioperative opioid consumption, intraoperative adjuvant analgesic use and incidence of pharmacological interventions to treat cardiovascular complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy.     

Nitric oxide impacts bovine sperm capacitation in a cGMP‐dependent and cGMP‐independent manner

We aimed to elucidate whether NO acts in in vitro sperm capacitation in bovine via cGMP/PKG1 pathway. For this, cryopreserved bovine sperm were capacitated in vitro with 20 µg/ml heparin (Control) plus treatments: 1 mM L‐arginine (L‐arg, NO precursor), 50 µM Rp‐8‐Bromo‐β‐phenyl‐1,N²‐ethenoguanosine‐3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS, selective inhibitor of the binding site for cGMP in PKG1), 1 mM 2‐Phenyl‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl 3‐oxide (PTIO, NO scavenger), and the combinations of L‐arg + RP‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and L‐arg + PTIO. Sperm motility and vigour were determined by phase‐contrast microscopy, capacitation status by chlortetracycline staining, and the intracellular concentration of cGMP was measured by ELISA. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means compared with SNK test at 5% probability. Motility and vigour were lower in sperm treated with PTIO when compared to Control and other treatments (p < .05). The L‐arg treatment showed the highest percentage of capacitated sperm when compared to the Control and other treatments (Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS, L‐arg + Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and PTIO) (69.8 ± 3.4%, 51.2 ± 3.0, 51.1 ± 2.1, 51.2 ± 3.0 and 45.5 ± 2.7, respectively) (p < .05). The capacitation ratio (%) was lower in treatments with Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS, L‐arg + Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and PTIO, respectively (p < .05). Lastly, cGMP concentration (pmol/ml) was lower in PTIO and L‐arg + PTIO (1.3 ± 0.3 and 1.6 ± 0.4) and was higher in Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and L‐arg + Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS (3.7 ± 0.4 and 4.0 ± 0.5) treatments. We showed that during in vitro capacitation of cattle: (a) NO influences sperm motility and vigour; (b) NO is associated with cGMP synthesis through two independent pathways and (c) the cGMP/PKG1 pathway has a partial role in sperm capacitation and does not involve the L‐arg/NO.     

Body weight of newborn and suckling piglets affects their intestinal gene expression

Modern hyperprolific sows must deal with large litters (16–20 piglets) which reduce piglet birthweight with a concomitant increase in the proportion of small and intrauterine growth retarded piglets. However, larger litters do not only have a greater variation of piglet weights, but also a greater variation in colostrum and milk consumption within the litter. To further understand the impact that body weight has on piglets, the present study aimed to evaluate the degree of physiological weakness of the smallest piglets at birth and during the suckling period (20 d) compared to their middle-weight littermates through their jejunal gene expression. At birth, light piglets showed a downregulation of genes related to immune response (FAXDC2, HSPB1, PPARGC1α), antioxidant enzymes (SOD2m), digestive enzymes (ANPEP, IDO1, SI), and nutrient transporter (SLC39A4) (P < 0.05) but also a tendency for a higher mRNA expression of GBP1 (inflammatory regulator) and HSD11β1 (stress hormone) genes compared to their heavier littermates (P < 0.10). Excluding HSD11β1 gene, all these intestinal gene expression differences initially observed at birth between light and middle-weight piglets were stabilized at the end of the suckling period, when others appeared. Genes involved in barrier function (CLDN1), pro-inflammatory response (CXCL2, IL6, IDO1), and stress hormone signaling (HSD11β1) over-expressed compared to their middle-weight littermates (P < 0.05). In conclusion, at birth and at the end of suckling period, light body weight piglets seem to have a compromised gene expression and therefore impaired nutrient absorption, immune and stress responses compared to their heavier littermates.     

Seabird mortality at trawler warp cables and a proposed mitigation measure: A case of study in Golfo San Jorge, Patagonia, Argentina

We studied the interaction between seabirds and warp cables in the high-seas Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi trawl fishery operating in Golfo San Jorge, Argentina, and tested the efficacy of a simple mitigation measure designed to reduce mortality at warp cables. Observations were made onboard hake trawlers during the height of the fishing season, between December 2004 and April 2005. Thirteen seabird species used food made available by fishing operations. The most frequent and abundant seabirds (% occurrence, mean maximum number per haul) were the Kelp gull Larus dominicanus (98.1%, 348.5) and the Black-browed albatross Thalassarche melanophrys (96.1%, 132.2). Contacts with warp cables were recorded for six species in 81.4% of hauls, with a mean number of contacts per haul of 14.4 ± 23.8 (range = 0-127). A total of 53 individuals were killed due to interactions with nets and cables, resulting in a total cable mortality rate of 0.14 birds/haul. Considering the fishery’s fishing effort, the estimated total number of birds killed during the study was 2703 (CV = 0.8), of which 306 (CV = 0.9) were killed due to contacts with warp cables (255 Kelp gulls and 51 Black-browed albatross). The tested device consisted of a plastic cone attached to each warp cable. In hauls with mitigation device, the number of contacts was reduced by 89% and no seabirds were killed. Mean distances between seabirds and cables were significantly larger in hauls with than without mitigation device (2.6 vs 0.9 m). The proposed device could be easily applied in this and other trawl fisheries operating in Argentine waters. Increased effort should be placed in implementing mitigation measures and the monitoring of cable related mortality associated to high-seas trawlers operating in the Argentine Continental Shelf.     

Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella</Emphasis> sp. infection through serological,microbiological, and molecular methods applied to buffaloes in Maranhão State,Brazil

The aim of the current study is to diagnose Brucella spp. infection using methods such as serology, bacterial isolation, and molecular analysis in buffaloes bred in Maranhão State. In order to do so, 390 samples of buffalo serum were subjected to serological tests, to Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and to 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) combined with slow agglutination test (SAT). Vaginal swabs were collected from seropositive animals and subjected to bacterial isolation and to generic PCR. According to the serological test, 16 animals had a positive reaction to the confirmatory test (2-ME/SAT). As for bacterial isolation, three samples resulted in the isolation of Brucella spp.-characteristic colonies, which were confirmed through PCR. These results confirmed Brucella spp. infection in the buffalo herd from Maranhão State.     

Bacterial community composition of sediments from a milkfish Chanos chanos Forsskål farm

Bacterial communities in sediments underneath milkfish cages and adjacent off‐cage areas in Bolinao, Lingayen Gulf, West Philippine Sea were characterized using PCR‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to assess influence of the fish farming to the sediments. The sediments in the fish cage (FC) area showed anoxic conditions [redox potential of ?165 to ?213 mV and acid‐volatile sulphide‐sulphur (AVS‐S) of 0.55–1.88 mg g^?1 (dry weight)] compared to the relatively oxic off‐cage area [redox potential of 72–81 mV and AVS‐S of 0.09–0.14 mg g^?1 (dry weight)]. The composition of the microbial populations revealed influence of the fish feed sedimentation with higher dominance of putative sulphate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) in the FC area. Compositions of the bacterial taxa showed dominance of the Bacteroidetes group and Deltaproteobacteria. The results suggest that the fish feeds created a new suitable environment, in which reductive microorganisms such as SRB, ferric‐ion‐reducing bacteria and nitrate‐reducing bacteria can thrive. Organic load from the feed and quantity of its leftover constituents may be the key factors that influence the structure of the bacterial community in the sediments of the milkfish farms.     

Influence of Dietary Oil Sources on Muscle Composition and Plasma Lipoprotein Concentrations in Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

To investigate the impact of different dietary lipid sources on fillet composition and lipid transport, we conducted a feeding trial and evaluated the proximate composition of muscle tissue, fatty acid profiles, total cholesterol (in muscle and plasma), triglycerides, and lipoprotein concentrations in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Five semi‐purified diets, containing different oils (soybean – SO, corn – CO, linseed – LO, fish – FO, and olive – OO), were supplied to tilapia for 160 d. Fish fed with LO and FO diets had a lower percentage of total lipids in muscle compared with the others (P < 0.05). The highest percentage of protein was found in fish fed with FO diet (P < 0.05). The muscle fatty acid profile was influenced differently by diets (P < 0.05). The group supplemented with SO and CO had a higher concentration of 18:2n‐6, whereas the fish fed with LO diet had a higher level of 18:3n‐3 and those that received the FO diet had more 22:6n‐3 in comparison with those supplemented with vegetable oils. Plasma lipid transport was also affected by the diets: the fish fed with FO diet had higher total cholesterol and high‐density lipoprotein and lower very‐low‐density lipoprotein concentrations (P < 0.05).