Microtomographic characterization of calcifications in canine mammary tumours

The present work describes the microtomographic characterization of macro‐ and microcalcifications present in excised canine mammary glands. In human breast cancer, microcalcifications are highly relevant for diagnosis and prognosis, often being the sole element determining biopsy. Canine mammary tumours are considered a model for human breast cancer, but the morphological features of calcifications had still to be studied in this species. The objective of this research is to contribute to the characterization of the mineralization features of the canine mammary gland. In the present study, the excised mammary glands of 33 bitches underwent fluoroscopic examination. In 30 of the samples, the presence of calcification was suspected, and multiple biopsies were taken of these areas. Biopsy fragments underwent microtomographic scanning. Microcalcifications were found in non‐neoplastic glandular tissue, benign and malign lesions, as it is known to happen in humans. Qualitative evaluation regarding morphology of the imaged calcifications showed similarities to breast cancer findings, based on the BI‐RADS 2013 classification, such as pleomorphism and shape. No differences in the quantitative morphological parameters of volume, surface, surface/volume, SMI and structure thickness were found when macrocalcifications were considered. However, although significant differences existed in these parameters between microcalcifications from malignant canine mammary tumours and the two other groups, none were found between non‐neoplastic and benign tumours. Findings further support the use of this spontaneous animal model for the study of human breast cancer, considering how clinically relevant microcalcifications are in humans.     

Genetic basis and origin of resistance to acetolactate synthase inhibitors in Amaranthus palmeri from Spain and Italy

BACKGROUND

Amaranthus palmeri is an aggressive annual weed native to the United States, which has become invasive in some European countries. Populations resistant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors have been recorded in Spain and Italy, but the evolutionary origin of the resistance traits remains unknown. Bioassays were conducted to identify cross-resistance to ALS inhibitors and a haplotype-based genetic approach was used to elucidate the origin and distribution of resistance in both countries.

RESULTS

Amaranthus palmeri populations were resistant to thifensulfuron-methyl and imazamox, and the 574-Leu mutant ALS allele was found to be the main cause of resistance among them. In two Spanish populations, 376-Glu and 197-Thr mutant ALS alleles were also found. The haplotype analyses revealed the presence of two and four distinct 574-Leu mutant haplotypes in the Italian and Spanish populations, respectively. None was common to both countries, but some mutant haplotypes were shared between geographically close populations or between populations more than 100 km apart. Wide genetic diversity was found in two very close Spanish populations.

CONCLUSION

ALS-resistant A. palmeri populations were introduced to Italy and Spain from outside Europe. Populations from both countries have different evolutionary histories and originate from independent introduction events. ALS resistance then spread over short and long distances by seed dispersal. The higher number and genetic diversity among mutant haplotypes from the Spanish populations indicated recurrent invasions. The implementation of control tactics to limit seed dispersal and the establishment of A. palmeri is recommended in both countries. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Stress and pain response after oligofructose induced-lameness in dairy heifers

Lameness is one of the most painful conditions that affects dairy cattle. This study was conducted to evaluate clinical signs and plasma concentration of several pain and stress biomarkers after oligofructose-induced lameness in dairy heifers. Lameness was induced using an oligofructose overload model in 12 non-pregnant heifers. Clinical parameters and blood samples were obtained at 48 and 24 h and at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after induction of lameness. Clinical parameters included heart rate, respiratory rate, ruminal frequency and lameness score. Plasma biomarkers included cortisol, haptoglobin, norepinephrine, beta-endorphin and substance P. Differences were observed in all parameters between control and treated heifers. The plasma concentration of biomarkers increased significantly in treated animals starting 6 h after induction of lameness, reaching maximum levels at 24 h for cortisol, 48 h for haptoglobin, 6 h for norepinephrine, 12 h for substance P and at 24 h for beta-endorphin. Overall, our results confirm that lameness associated pain induced using the oligofructose model induced changes in clinical parameters and plasma biomarkers of pain and stress in dairy heifers.     

Involvement of the β-cinnamomin elicitin in infection and colonisation of cork oak roots by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora cinnamomi</Emphasis>

The virulence of two wild type (PA45 and PA37) and two genetically modified (13C: hygromycin resistant; FATSS: hygromycin resistant and β-cin knock-down) Phytophthora cinnamomi strains towards cork oak (Quercus suber) was assessed via a quantitative evaluation of disease symptoms arising from a soil infestation assay, and by a histological analysis of root colonization. Comparison of virulence, as expressed by symptom severity, resulted in the following ranking: highly virulent (wild type strains), medium virulence (strain 13C) and weakly virulent (FATSS). Both transgenic strains were compromised in their virulence, as expressed by symptom severity, but strain 13C was much less affected than FATSS. Microscopic observation showed that the FATSS strain was unable to effectively invade the root, while 13C and the two wild type strains were all able to rapidly colonize the whole root, including the vascular tissue. These results strengthen the notion that elicitins are associated, either directly or indirectly, with the infection process of Phytophthora.     

Simple estimation of available water capacity in soils of semiarid and subhumid environments

Soil available water capacity (AWC) is an important factor affecting soil productivity in semiarid and subhumid environments and is mainly determined by the soil textural composition. As the soils of these environments usually present fairly uniform textures across depth, we hypothesized that it would be possible to accurately estimate the whole-profile AWC using surface information. Our objective was to test this hypothesis in the Argentine Semiarid Pampas. Information was collected from 152 sites where AWC was measured in 20?cm layers up to a depth of 140?cm or up to the upper limit of the petrocalcic horizon, when present. In each case, whole profile AWC was estimated using a one-step and a two-step approach, comparing multiple regression and artificial neural networks as modeling techniques. Both modeling methods were effective (R²?>?0.76, P?相似文献   

Effects of remifentanil infusion regimens on cardiovascular function and responses to noxious stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 2 remifentanil infusion regimens on cardiovascular function and responses to nociceptive stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats. ANIMALS: 8 adult cats. PROCEDURES: On 2 occasions, cats received acepromazine followed by propofol (6 mg/kg then 0.3 mg/kg/min, i.v.) and a constant rate infusion (CRI) of remifentanil (0.2 or 0.3 microg/kg/ min, i.v.) for 90 minutes and underwent mechanical ventilation (phase I). After recording physiologic variables, an electrical stimulus (50 V; 50 Hz; 10 milliseconds) was applied to a forelimb to assess motor responses to nociceptive stimulation. After an interval (> or = 10 days), the same cats were anesthetized via administration of acepromazine and a similar infusion regimen of propofol; the remifentanil infusion rate adjustments that were required to inhibit cardiovascular responses to ovariohysterectomy were recorded (phase II). RESULTS: In phase I, heart rate and arterial pressure did not differ between remifentanil-treated groups. From 30 to 90 minutes, cats receiving 0.3 microg of remifentanil/kg/min had no response to noxious stimulation. Purposeful movement was detected more frequently in cats receiving 0.2 microg of remifentanil/kg/min. In phase II, the highest dosage (mean +/- SEM) of remifentanil that prevented cardiovascular responses was 0.23 +/- 0.01 microg/kg/min. For all experiments, mean time from infusion cessation until standing ranged from 115 to 140 minutes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although the lower infusion rate of remifentanil allowed ovariohysterectomy to be performed, a CRI of 0.3 microg/kg/min was necessary to prevent motor response to electrical stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats. Recovery from anesthesia was prolonged with this technique.     

Genetic analysis and molecular mapping of quantitative trait loci in common bean against Pythium ultimum

Pythium ultimum is a soil pathogen that can cause seed decay and damage to roots in common bean. In this study, the response of a set of 40 common bean genotypes to P. ultimum and inheritance of the resistance in the 92 F? recombinant inbred lines (RIL) developed from a cross between Xana and Cornell 49242 was investigated by using emergence rate and seedling vigor. Emergence of the 40 genotypes showed a significant association between white seed coat and response to this pathogen. Among these, 11 common bean genotypes, all with colored seeds, exhibited a high percentage of emergence and seedling vigor not significantly different (P > 0.05) to noninoculated plants. Response of the RIL population revealed both qualitative and quantitative modes of inheritance. A major gene (Py-1) controlling the emergence rate was mapped in the region of the gene P, a basic color gene involved in control of seed coat color, located on LG 7. Using the RIL subpopulation with colored seeds, a significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with the emergence rate (ER3(XC)) and another with seedling vigor (SV6(XC)) were identified on the LG 3 and 6, respectively. QTL SV6(XC) was mapped in the region of the gene V, another gene involved the genetic control of color. QTLs associated with seed traits were mapped in the same relative position as regions involved in responses to P. ultimum suggesting the possible implication of avoidance mechanisms in the response to this pathogen.