Criteria for the definition of similarity thresholds for identifying essentially derived varieties

The concept of essential derivation refers to cases where a new variety is obtained from an initial variety (IV), of which it retains the expression of the essential characteristics resulting from the genotype or combination of genotypes of the IV. Protecting plant breeder's rights can be facilitated by identifying a species‐specific threshold level of similarity above which the new variety could be suspected as essentially derived (EDV). Amplified fragment length polymorphisms and simple sequence repeats proved suitable for measuring genetic similarity. Three approaches have been proposed for the definition of thresholds. According to the ‘calibration principle’, the critical level to discriminate EDVs is defined based on similarities among closely related genotypes. Adopting the ‘tail principle’, the threshold is placed at a given percentile of the distribution of the similarities within a reference population of independent genotypes. Finally, with the ‘pedigree principle’, the threshold is set starting from the a priori definition of breeding techniques that lead to EDVs. The tools and the approaches described in this review represent the basis for developing protocols useful in handling disputes of essential derivation.     

Addressing reproductive stochasticity and grazing impacts in the restoration of a canopy-forming brown alga by implementing mitigation solutions

1. The worldwide decline of marine forests, due to human impacts and climate change, emphasizes the need to develop and implement effective and sustainable solutions to restore these endangered habitats and to re-establish the services they provide.
2. In this study, the ex situ restoration of Gongolaria barbata (=Treptacantha barbata), a Mediterranean subtidal habitat-forming species of brown seaweed, was for the first time implemented in a marine protected area in the Adriatic Sea. Two restoration efforts were performed in 2019. The first was started in winter, after a marine heatwave that triggered early fertility, and the second in spring, when the species usually reproduces.
3. This study aimed to evaluate: (i) the disruptive effects of a thermal anomaly on the reproductive biology and performance in culture of G. barbata; and (ii) the impact of the grazing pressure on juveniles after the outplanting.
4. The first cultivation was more productive than the second, in terms of zygote release and germling growth. To mitigate the low efficiency of the second culture and to avoid prolonged highly demanding maintenance in the mesocosms, the cultivation period was extended outdoors using a structure suspended in the water column.
5. The modular frames conceived for outplanting G. barbata proved to be effective because of their easy operability and low cost. Controlling for herbivorous fish had significant positive effects on both juvenile survival and growth.
6. The outcomes highlighted that an unpredictable climatic event and fish grazing were major threats that impaired the restoration process of G. barbata. These stressors should be considered when developing plans to implement effective large-scale restoration of canopy-forming macroalgae.

     

Electrochemotherapy for the treatment of recurring aponeurotic fibromatosis in a dog

This paper reports the clinical findings, histopathology, and clinical outcome of a rare case of aponeurotic fibromatosis in a dog. The dog was treated with 4 courses of electrochemotherapy using the drugs cisplatin and bleomycin. There was complete remission and the dog was still disease-free after 18 months.     

Ex vivo evaluation of imatinib mesylate for induction of cell death on canine neoplastic mast cells with mutations in c-Kit exon 11 via apoptosis

Several studies of canine spontaneous mast cell tumours have described mutations in the c-kit proto-oncogene. These mutations produce a constitutively activated product and have been suggested to play a role in the malignant transformation of mast cells. We hypothesize that the selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate inhibits signal transduction and induces apoptosis when tested in cutaneous canine mast cell tumour samples positive for mutation in c-kit exon 11. Three-dimensional ex vivo cultures of canine grade II mast cell tumour treated with STI-571 at 48, 72, and 96 h and tested for signal transduction and apoptosis using appropriate assays were used. There was a progressive and significant increase in caspase-3 and TUNEL-positive mast cells compared to the untreated cultures. Additionally, a concurrent reduced expression of Ki67 and BCL-2 was observed. Furthermore, the treated cultures showed a marked reduction of Kit expression. Our results demonstrate that STI-571 induces Caspase-dependent apoptosis in a canine neoplastic mast cells possessing mutations in c-kit exon 11.     

3-D ultrastructural distribution of collagen in human placental villi at term in relation to vascular tree

In order to understand the 3-D distribution of collagen in relation to vascularization, chorionic villi of human placentae, belonging to normal pregnancies at term, were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after alkali maceration techniques, and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The villous tree appeared made of an uninterrupted structure of collagen fibres. The collagen fibres connected the chorionic villi axis with their basal plates and organised differently according to the various levels of villous branching. The collagen of stem villi showed copious fibres. The external fibres (facing the villous surface) were arranged mainly longitudinally. The central core of the villi (inner fibres) were arranged concentrically around the wall of the fetal vessels. Both external and internal fibres formed stratified lamellae or small parallel bundles. The inner core of stem villi showed small holes housing capillary spaces. Mature intermediate and terminal villi showed a scarce amount of collagen arranged in thin concentric layer within the villous core, surrounding numerous dilated capillary and sinusoid spaces.These observations demonstrated that the extracellular matrix of human chorionic villi is highly compartmentalised and shows a variable structural 3-D distribution depending on the branching level of the villous tree, such a distribution ensures the most favourable microenvironment for feto-maternal exchanges and it is likely able to provide a modulated support to the developing chorionic fetal vessels and trophoblastic layer as well.     

管式聚偏氟乙烯超滤膜澄清血橙汁的应用研究

采用管式聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)超滤膜对血橙汁进行超滤澄清处理。超滤后的果汁澄清透明，透光率达到96％以上，维生素C保存率高，并较好地保持了原汁色泽与风味；同时还探讨了不同操作条件对膜透过速率的影响，测定了超滤前后血橙汁中抗氧化成分及抗氧化能力的变化。     

Use of hyaluronidase for the treatment of extravasation of chemotherapeutic agents in six dogs

Six dogs had perivascular extravasation of antineoplastic agents during IV administration. Treatment with 300 units of hyaluronidase injected locally in the affected site was initiated following the extravasation event. Injections were repeated weekly until signs of toxic effects within the tissues resolved satisfactorily. All dogs recovered within 6 weeks, and residual fibrosis at the extravasation sites most was considered minimal. Many chemotherapeutic agents cause severe cytotoxic reactions when extravasated during cycles of chemotherapy, resulting in tissue necrosis with ulceration and sloughing of skin during the following weeks. Surgical treatments and skin grafting are often necessary to achieve healing. The sequelae of extravasation may result in discontinuation of chemotherapy or euthanasia of the animal. Hyaluronidase appears to be a safe treatment for the adverse effects of extravasation of various chemotherapeutic agents and may be used effectively to reduce the severity of cutaneous toxicosis.     

Prevalence of Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle from Santarém, Pará, Brazil

Prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies was measured in serum samples randomly collected from dairy (40 cows from four farms) and beef cattle (120 animals from 12 farms) from the municipality of Santarém, Pará State, Brazil, calculated by using the Win Episcope 2.0 statistical program. The presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies was determined by indirect immunofluorescence-antibody test with a cut-off value of 1:100. We found that 13 farms (81.25%) showed infection rates above 10%, which indicates widespread distribution of N. caninum in the region. The frequency per animal was 19%. No difference was observed between the prevalence values in dairy and beef animals or between farms, which was probably due to the small number of dairy farms examined. The results confirm, for the first time, the presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies in cattle from Pará State and the necessity to further investigate the epidemiology of N. caninum in the Amazon region.