The mtDNA legacy of the Levantine early Upper Palaeolithic in Africa

Sequencing of 81 entire human mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) belonging to haplogroups M1 and U6 reveals that these predominantly North African clades arose in southwestern Asia and moved together to Africa about 40,000 to 45,000 years ago. Their arrival temporally overlaps with the event(s) that led to the peopling of Europe by modern humans and was most likely the result of the same change in climate conditions that allowed humans to enter the Levant, opening the way to the colonization of both Europe and North Africa. Thus, the early Upper Palaeolithic population(s) carrying M1 and U6 did not return to Africa along the southern coastal route of the "out of Africa" exit, but from the Mediterranean area; and the North African Dabban and European Aurignacian industries derived from a common Levantine source.     

Genetic variant BDNF (Val66Met) polymorphism alters anxiety-related behavior

A common single-nucleotide polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, a methionine (Met) substitution for valine (Val) at codon 66 (Val66Met), is associated with alterations in brain anatomy and memory, but its relevance to clinical disorders is unclear. We generated a variant BDNF mouse (BDNF(Met/Met)) that reproduces the phenotypic hallmarks in humans with the variant allele. BDNF(Met) was expressed in brain at normal levels, but its secretion from neurons was defective. When placed in stressful settings, BDNF(Met/Met) mice exhibited increased anxiety-related behaviors that were not normalized by the antidepressant, fluoxetine. A variant BDNF may thus play a key role in genetic predispositions to anxiety and depressive disorders.     

Glucocorticoids can induce PTSD-like memory impairments in mice

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by a hypermnesia of the trauma and by a memory impairment that decreases the ability to restrict fear to the appropriate context. Infusion of glucocorticoids in the hippocampus after fear conditioning induces PTSD-like memory impairments and an altered pattern of neural activation in the hippocampal-amygdalar circuit. Mice become unable to identify the context as the correct predictor of the threat and show fear responses to a discrete cue not predicting the threat in normal conditions. These data demonstrate PTSD-like memory impairments in rodents and identify a potential pathophysiological mechanism of this condition.     

Ozone fumigation of Quercus ilex L. slows down leaf litter decomposition with no detectable change in leaf composition

Context

The evaluation of changes in litter decomposition rate due to increasing trend in tropospheric ozone is an emerging field of investigation, providing relevant information on long-term forest ecosystem sustainability.

Aims

This research aims to clarify the effects of ozone exposure on Quercus ilex leaf chemical composition and decomposition slow down.

Methods

Young plants were fumigated in growth chambers at a cumulative dose of 17.15 ppm h. To assess the fumigation effectiveness, stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis were monitored. Leaves were analysed for C, N, S, Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, total soluble sugars, starch, acid-detergent fibre (ADF), lignin and cellulose prior to the incubation in litter bags in mesocosms, and during decomposition along 395 days.

Results

Ozone-exposed leaves showed a significant reduction in net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance but did not differ from control leaves in all the chemical parameters analysed. Nevertheless, leaf decomposition rate was lower in treated leaves. The main differences between the models describing the mass loss in exposed and control leaves were played by ADF for exposed leaves and by lignin for control leaves, as well as by N, that showed a greater contribution in the model for the exposed leaves.

Conclusion

Ozone fumigation of Q. ilex results in leaf litter decomposition slowing down, mainly due to ADF joint dynamics with the other variables describing mass decay, even if no detectable changes in initial leaf composition occur.     

Effects of defoliation on whole‐plant maize characteristics as forage and energy crop

Hail affects yield and quality of maize crops, and consequences also depend on the growth stage at which the injury occurred. Whole‐plant maize (WPM) silage is often used within the same farm for cattle feeding and biogas production. The present study aimed to verify the effects of hail damage, simulated by artificial defoliation, on yield and chemical and nutritional features, as well as on biochemical methane potential (BMP) of maize forage. In a randomized block design with three replicates, four defoliation levels (0%, 33%, 66% and 100% of leaf area removal respectively) have been applied at either the V12 (12th leaf), R1 (silking) or R3 (milk) stages for two consecutive years. WPM yield, chemical and nutritional features, and BMP were measured. Dry‐matter (DM) yield per hectare was progressively reduced (p < 0.001) with increasing levels of defoliation and with application at V12 in comparison with R1 or R3 (1.26 vs. 1.39 and 1.46 kg ha^?1 for V12 vs. R1 and R3; p < 0.003). Nutritive value and BMP per unit of product were less altered than dry‐matter yield per hectare by defoliation. Anticipating defoliation reduced net energy for lactation (5.26 vs. 5.46 MJ kg^?1 DM for V12 and R3 respectively; p = 0.02). Total defoliation resulted in an accumulation of nitrates (NO₃) compared to the other treatments (3.98 vs. 1.53 g NO₃ kg^?1 DM; p < 0.001). BMP was mainly reduced by early and complete defoliation. Equations were developed to estimate the effects of defoliation on yield, composition, and nutritive and energetic values of WPM.     

Quantifying plant species diversity in a Natura 2000 network: Old ideas and new proposals

Assessing the effects of the spatial components on species diversity in a network of protected areas represents an important step for assessing its conservation “capacity”. A clear evaluation on how α-, β-, and γ-diversity are partitioned among and within spatial scales can help to drive manager decisions and provide method for monitoring species diversity. Moving from these concepts, a probabilistic sample of plant species composition was here applied for quantifying plant species diversity within the Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) of the Natura 2000 network in the Siena Province. All analyses were performed separately for all species and those species defined as “focal” (included in regional, national or continental “red” lists). The results indicated that species richness of the SCIs differed from one location to another one independently from the sampling efforts. Diversity partitioning indicated that most of the flora diversity within the network was given by larger-scale β-diversity, i.e. the differences in species composition among SCIs. β-diversity was then decomposed in two components: β_Area (due to the differences in area among SCIs) and β_Replacement (due to the compositional differences across SCIs). β_Area was particularly important for all species, while β_Replacement was the most important factor for focal species. The consequent implications for monitoring and nature conservation strategies are discussed.     

Interactions of three s-triazines with humic acids of different structure

The adsorption of three s-triazines (atrazine, terbutylazine, and simazine) on three different humic acids (HAs), before and after acidic hydrolysis, was studied at four diverse pH values from 3 to 4.5. The Freundlich sorption affinity (K(f)) and intensity (1/n) of s-triazines were related to the chemical and structural composition of HA and used in a multivariate statistical analysis. At low pH, the sorption values for s-triazines were not directly justified by the content of carboxyl groups in original HA, while only an increase of phenolic carbons in hydrolyzed HA supported the increased s-triazine adsorption. The structural composition of both s-triazines and humic samples explained 86% of the significance in multivariate analyses, whereas the role of pH remained hidden in only 14% of the statistical significance. Adsorption of s-triazines was mainly related to carbon content, hydrophobicity, and aromaticity of HA, thereby implying a predominant binding role of weak dispersive forces. Steric properties explained the larger adsorption affinity of atrazine and terbutylazine with respect to simazine. The occurrence of charge-transfer interactions between atrazine and mainly hydrolyzed HA was further suggested by the increased number of free radicals detected in atrazine-HA complexes at different pH values. Charge-transfer interactions were postulated to occur when HA conformations became progressively controlled by aromatic components. This work indicates that humic matter rich in hydrophobic and aromatic constituents is more likely to adsorb s-triazines and reduce their environmental mobility.     

The effects of starter microbiota and the early life feeding of medium chain triglycerides on the gastric transcriptome profile of 2-or 3-week-old cesarean delivered piglets

Background: The stomach is an underestimated key interface between the ingesta and the digestive system, affecting the digestion and playing an important role in several endocrine functions. The quality of starter microbiota and the early life feeding of medium chain triglycerides may affect porcine gastric maturation. Two trials(T1, T2) were carried out on 12 and 24 cesarean-delivered piglets(birth, d0), divided over two microbiota treatments, but slaughtered and sampled at two or three weeks of age, respectively. All piglets were fed orally: sow serum(T1) or pasteurized sow colostrum(T2) on d0; simple starter microbiota(Lactobacillus amylovorus, Clostridium glycolicum and Parabacteroides spp.)(d1-d3); complex microbiota inoculum(sow diluted feces, CA) or a placebo(simple association, SA)(d3-d4) and milk replacer ad libitum(d0-d4). The The T1 piglets and half of the T2 piglets were then fed a moist diet(CTRL); the remaining half of the T2 piglets were fed the CTRL diet fortified with medium chain triglycerides and 7% coconut oil(MCT). Total m RNA from the oxyntic mucosa was analyzed using Affymetrix?Porcine Gene array strips. Exploratory functional analysis of the resulting values was carried out using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis.Results: Complex microbiota upregulated 11 gene sets in piglets of each age group vs. SA. Of these sets, 6 were upregulated at both ages, including the set of gene markers of oxyntic mucosa. In comparison with the piglets receiving SA, the CA enriched the genes in the sets related to interferon response when the CTRL diet was given while the same sets were impoverished by CA with the MCT diet.Conclusions: Early colonization with a complex starter microbiota promoted the functional maturation of the oxyntic mucosa in an age-dependent manner. The dietary fatty acid source may have affected the recruitment and the maturation of the immune cells, particularly when the piglets were early associated with a simplified starter microbiota.     

Body condition score prior to parturition is associated with plasma and adipose tissue biomarkers of lipid metabolism and inflammation in Holstein cows

Background: Previous research has revealed a strong inflammatory response within adipose(AT) tissue during the transition into lactation. Whether this effect is a result of oxidative stress induced by lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation associated with differences in prepartum body condition score remains to be determined. The objectives of this study were to investigate systemic biomarkers of energy balance and inflammation and the expression of lipid metabolismand inflammation-related genes in AT during the transition period in dairy cows.Results: Twenty multiparous Holstein cows were retrospectively divided by body condition score(BCS) prior to parturition into two groups(10 cows/group): BCS ≤ 3.25(Lo BCS) and BCS ≥ 3.75(Hi BCS). Subcutaneous adipose tissue was biopsied from the tail-head region at d-10, 7 and 20 relative to parturition. Plasma was used to evaluate biomarkers of energy balance(EBAL) [free fatty acids(NEFA), glycerol, insulin] and inflammation [IL-1β, haptoglobin, myeloperoxidase, and reactive oxygen metabolites(ROM)]. Although insulin concentration was not affected by BCS, NEFA was overal greater and glycerol lower in HiB CS cows. Greater activity of myeloperoxidase in plasma coincided with increased haptoglobin and IL-1β postpartum in LoB CS cows.Among genes related with oxidative stress, the expression of the cytosolic antioxidant enzyme SOD1 was greater in LoB CS compared to HiB CS. Cows in LoB CS compared with HiB CS had greater overal expression of ABDH5 and ATGL along with ADIPOQ, indicating enhanced basal lipolysis and secretion of adiponectin. Expression of CPT1 A, ACADVL, and ACOX1 was greater overal in HiB CS than LoB CS indicating enhanced NEFA oxidation. Although the temporal increase in plasma NEFA regardless of BCS coincided with the profile of CPT1 A, the gradual decrease in genes related with reesterification of NEFA(PCK1) and glycerol efflux(AQP7) coupled with an increase in glycerol kinase(GK) suggested some stimulation of NEFA utilization within adipose tissue. This idea is supported in part by the gradual decrease in insulin regardless of BCS. Although expression of the inflammation-related gene toll-like receptor 4( TLR4) was greater in Hi BCS versus Lo BCS cows at-10 d, expression of TLR9 was greater in Hi BCS versus Lo BCS at 20 d.These profiles did not seem to be associated with concentrations of pro-inflammatory biomarkers or ROM.Conclusions: Overall, data indicated that cows with BCS 3.25 or lower before calving experienced greater alterations in systemic inflammation and basal lipolysis without excessive increases in NEFA plasma concentrations.Despite the greater plasma NEFA around parturition, cows with BCS 3.75 or higher seemed to have a more active system for catabolism of NEFA and utilization of glycerol within adipose tissue. A linkage between those pathways and risk of disorders postpartum remains to be determined.     

Multilobular tumour of bone of the thoracic wall in a cat

Multilobular tumour of bone is a rare neoplasm of the skull in middle-aged, medium-to-large breed dogs even if a few cases have also been described in cats and one horse. The aim of the present paper is to show both the computed-tomography features and the pathological findings of the above neoplasm affecting the thoracic wall of a cat. To the best of the authors' knowledge, such anomalous tumour localisation has never been reported and imaged in feline medicine.