Effects of a diet enriched with eicosapentaenoic,docosahexaenoic and glutamine on cytokines as immunological markers for systemic inflammation in bitches before and after ovariohysterectomy

The post-operative period can generate immunological stress and can be modulated through supplementation with the omega-3 series of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of diets enriched with high doses of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids and glutamine on inflammatory mediators in dogs before and after ovariohysterectomy (OVH). Twelve female dogs were divided into two groups: group A was fed a commercial diet without the addition of EPA and DHA, and group B was fed an experimental diet enriched with EPA and DHA (0.2 g/100 kcal). Experimental diet intake initiated 21 days before surgery and continued until 30 days after OVH. Parameters measured were serum cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10), C-reactive protein (CRP), IGF-1, lymphoproliferation and body composition before and after surgery. Statistical analyses were performed with SAS software considering the effects of age and diet and their interactions, and means were compared by the Tukey test. There was no difference between groups in body weight (p = .682), lean mass (p = .101) and body fat (p = .103). There were no group differences in serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IGF-1, CRP and the percentage of lymphocyte proliferation. However, a time effect for TNF-α was observed (p < .001), in which T_0P (10 days after the surgical procedure) presented lower values of this cytokine when compared to the other evaluation time points; and interaction effects between group and time were observed for serum concentrations of IL-6 (p < .001) and IL-10 (p = .002). OVH procedure was not considered invasive enough to increase inflammatory cytokines after 30 days of surgery, as well as the dosage of the EPA and DHA used before and after the surgery did not modulate the inflammatory markers.     

Proteomic profile of pre-implantational ovine embryos produced in vivo

The present study was conducted to decipher the proteome of in vivo-produced pre-implantation ovine embryos. Ten locally adapted Morana Nova ewes received hormonal treatment and were inseminated 12 hr after ovulation. Six days later, 54 embryos (morula and blastocyst developmental state) were recovered from eight ewes and pooled to obtain sufficient protein for proteomic analysis. Extracted embryo proteins were analysed by LC-MS/MS, followed by identification based on four database searches (PEAKS, Proteome Discoverer software, SearchGUI software, PepExplorer). Identified proteins were analysed for gene ontology terms, protein clusters and interactions. Genes associated with the ovine embryo proteome were screened for miRNA targets using data sets of TargetScan ( http://www.targetscan.org ) and mIRBase ( http://www.mirbase.org ) servers. There were 667 proteins identified in the ovine embryos. Biological processes of such proteins were mainly related to cellular process and regulation, and molecular functions, to binding and catalytic activity. Analysis of the embryo proteins revealed 49 enriched functional clusters, linked to energy metabolism (TCA cycle, pyruvate and glycolysis metabolism), zona pellucida (ZP), MAPK signalling pathway, tight junction, binding of sperm to ZP, translation, proteasome, cell cycle and calcium/phospholipid binding. Sixteen miRNAs were related to 25 pre-implantation ovine embryo genes, all conserved in human, bovine and ovine species. The interaction network generated by miRNet showed four key miRNAs (hsa-mir-106b-5p; hsa-mir-30-5p; hsa-mir-103a-5p and hsa-mir-106a-5p) with potential interactions with embryo-expressed genes. Functional analysis of the network indicated that miRNAs modulate genes related to cell cycle, regulation of stem cell and embryonic cell differentiation, among others. Retrieved miRNAs also modulate the expression of genes involved in cell signalling pathways, such as MAPK, Wnt, TGF-beta, p53 and Toll-like receptor. The current study describes the first major proteomic profile of 6-day-old ovine embryos produced in vivo, setting a comprehensive foundation for our understanding of embryo physiology in the ovine species.     

Testicular shape,scrotal skin thickness and testicular artery blood flow changes in bulls of different ages

The aim of this study was to compare the biometric testicular characteristics, skin thickness and haemodynamics of the testicular artery of 12- and 24-month-old bulls using Doppler ultrasonography, the study was conducted using 48 indicus-taurus animals. The scrotal circumference (SC) and biometry characteristics of the bulls were measured to calculate the testicular volume. Doppler ultrasonography was used to obtain the haemodynamic values of the testicular artery. The skin thickness and volume were lower (p<.01) in the younger bulls (12 months:4.68 ± 0.68 mm; 168.76 ± 47.96 cm³) versus 24 months (5.05 ± 0.89; 499.73 ± 129.24 cm³) animals (p<.01). During diastole, mean velocity was lower in the 12 months (7.98 ± 3.83) than in the 24 months (11.37 ± 4.15) animals (p <.05). The 12-month-old animals had higher pulsatility and resistivity indices (0.49 ± 0.02; 0.51 ± 0.20) compared to the 24-month-old animals (0.32 ± 0.16; 0.40 ± 0.15) (p < .05). The final testicular end velocity was lower in animals with long/moderate-shaped (L/M) (7.31 ± 2.91) than in those moderate/oval-shaped (M/O) (11.48 ± 3.88) testicles (p < .05). Animals with L/M testes presented higher pulsatility values and resistivity indices (0.51 ± 0.05; 0.55 ± 0.04) compared to animals with M/O shape (0.29 ± 0.20; 0.36 ± 0.15). We showed that the blood flow of the supra testicular artery between the two evaluated ages differed, and that 24-month-old bulls presented better thermoregulation capacity. Animals with a long/moderate testicular format presented a greater vascular resistance, which was imposed on the blood flow due to the anatomical differences in the testicular artery, resulting in lower velocity, and indicating better heat dissipation in this format.     

Variation within improved cultivars and landraces of lucerne in Central Italy

Summary A variety must be distinguishable, uniform, stable and of sufficient productivity to be officially registered. In Italy landraces of lucerne are still widely used because they are characterized by a good persistence and productivity in their area of origin and adaptation.The landrace from Casalina (20 km south of Perugia, Central Italy) has higher dry matter production than many other commercial cultivars. The objective of this paper was to measure the variation of the landrace Casalina and compare it with that of the commonest cultivars available on the market and with some lines selected from the landrace Casalina.The experiment consisted of 11 entries: Casalina, two selections from Casalina (one for high seed yield and one for frequent cuttings), the registered landrace Italia Centrale and 7 registered cultivars. Each entry was represented by 80 genotypes transplanted in the field 60×40 cm apart in a randomized block design with 4 replications. In 1991 the following characters were recorded on a single plant basis: time of first flowering, height, number of shoots and dry matter yield at the first harvest, time of second flowering, leafiness, height, number of shoots and dry matter yield at the second harvest, height, number of shoots and dry matter yield at the third and fourth harvest. Height, number of shoots and dry matter yield at the first harvest, dry matter at the second and third harvest were recorded during the 1992 season.Casalina was as variable as the other entries in 77% of the comparisons; it was more variable in 8% of the comparisons and less variable in 15% of the comparisons. In conclusion, the variation of landrace Casalina is equal to or less than that of registered varieties so that it could be directly registered at the National Registry of Varieties.     

The role of rock fragments in crack and soil structure development: a laboratory experiment with a Vertisol

A large number of factors that influence soil surface cracking behaviour in swell‐shrink soils have been studied, but there are few studies on the influence of rock fragments on crack development. Effects of rock fragments have been investigated with reference to the soil pore system but they have mainly been studied indirectly through measurements of water flow and/or bulk density changes. A laboratory experiment was carried out with repacked soil samples that were prepared by adding rock fragments of three different sizes (2–4, 4–8 and 12–16 mm) to a Vertisol at two different rates (10 and 25% by volume). Soil image analysis procedures were applied in order to describe quantitatively the network of surface cracks and the pore system to a depth of 8 cm below the surface, which developed after wetting‐drying cycles. Mean values and standard deviations of surface crack or pore widths decreased with the increase in rock fragment content and the decrease in rock fragment size, while the density of the ‘skeleton’ of the crack and pore networks increased. Rock fragments also induced vertical homogenization of the soil structure. The number of rock fragments was a key factor in determining some crack network characteristics, inducing inverse variations in mean width and skeleton density of the crack or pore network. Overall results suggested that rock fragments acted as triggering points for crack and pore development in Vertisols. The findings of this work provide a contribution to the understanding of the mechanisms of crack network and soil structure development that are induced by stones in swell‐shrink soils.     

Use of genetic markers to identify the illegal trade of billfish in the second largest fishing warehouse of Latin America

1. Billfish are oceanic pelagic species that are often caught by tuna fleets and are of great interest for sport fishing. Two species of billfish have specific legislation prohibiting their marketing and export in Brazil.
2. DNA barcoding is a universal system of molecular identification based on a sequence of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), which serves as a diagnostic genomic marker in each species.
3. The barcode DNA technique was used to identify billfish marketed in the second largest fishing warehouse in Latin America, the CEAGESP (Companhia de Entrepostos e Armazéns Gerais de São Paulo), located in São Paulo, Brazil. Seventy‐nine samples of billfish were collected during three inspection visits carried out by Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis.
4. After DNA sequencing, 70 samples (88.60%) were identified to the species level; 21 (30.00%) were identified as Xiphias gladius, 43 (61.42%) as Istiophorus platypterus and six (8.57%) as Kajikia albida. The sale of this latter species is prohibited in Brazil and it is considered Vulnerable on the list of endangered species of the IUCN and in the official list of species of endangered Fauna – Fish and Aquatic Invertebrates.
5. Molecular analyses proved to be very efficient at uncovering irregularities in the identification of the white marlin (K. albida), which was traded illegally in CEAGESP, demonstrating the ineffectiveness of the current monitoring techniques used and emphasizing the need for the adoption of better public policies for the conservation of the species.

     

Prioritizing marine invasive alien species in the European Union through horizon scanning

1. The disproportionately low presence of marine species in the list of invasive alien species (IAS) of Union concern of the European Union (EU) Regulation 1143/2014 does not fully acknowledge the threat they pose to the EU marine environment.
2. In this study, the first EU‐scale Horizon Scanning (HS) focusing on marine alien species was performed, aiming to deliver a ranked list of species that should be of high priority for risk assessment (Article 5 of the EU IAS Regulation).
3. Species absent from or with a limited distribution in EU marine waters were targeted. In total, 363 alien species were initially screened for HS by a panel of experts, including a broad range of taxonomic groups. Species were scored for their likelihood of arrival, establishment, spread, and impact in EU waters.
4. A consensus workshop ranked 267 species, including a subset of 26 prioritized species. These species are considered to be mainly introduced by shipping (fouling and ballast water), via the Suez Canal, and aquaculture activities. The 26 priority species were also scrutinized in terms of feasibility of their management; 18 of them were suggested for performing risk assessments on the basis of the EU IAS Regulation.
5. Since biological invasions are dynamic and connected with accelerated globalization and diversified human activities, we recommend HS to be repeated periodically to review the species already listed and assess new ones.