Where do we go from here? Dispersal simulations shed light on the role of landscape structure in determining animal redistribution after reintroduction

Reintroduction projects represent viable options for animal conservation. They allow the establishment of new local populations and may contribute to recreating functional networks within a metapopulation. In the latter case, landscape connectivity may be a major determinant of the phase of spread of the reintroduced populations. Here, we deal with an example of a red deer (Cervus elaphus) translocation planned to enable the connection among existing isolated populations of the species in the Italian Alps. Our aim was to assess whether the analysis of landscape suitability and the simulation of dispersal of released individuals could shed light on the actual process of population spread. For these purposes, we adopted a modelling approach using radiotracking data to develop a habitat suitability map. On the basis of this map, we simulated the dispersal of the animals after release and we then compared the simulation results with the outcome of null models and with the observed population redistribution. The results suggest that the spread of the subpopulation was easier north-westward than southward. Taking into account landscape suitability, our simulations produced a reliable estimate of the ease of colonization of the valleys neighbouring the release-site and they allowed the identification and validation of a potential pathway for animal dispersal. The suitability model based on the monitoring of individuals in the earliest phase of establishment shed light on the spread of the population and on its potential connections with other deer subpopulations.     

Gibberellic acid and flower bud development in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.)

The application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) to the whole loquat tree from mid-May to early June and from early August to the onset of flowering, significantly reduced the number of premature flowering shoots per current shoot and per m³ of canopy, and so reduced the total number of panicles per m³ of canopy. The number of vegetative shoots per m³ of canopy was also significantly reduced by applying GA₃. The response depended on the concentration applied and produced optimal results at 50 mg l⁻¹. Differences in the number of flowers per panicle and leaves per shoot were not significantly modified by the treatment. Nevertheless, GA₃ applied directly to the developing apex near to flower differentiation reduced the number of flowers per panicle by 25–35% and without modifying the morphological characteristics of the panicle. Results suggest that less sprouting of lateral buds was largely responsible for the reduction in flowering intensity caused by GA₃. Best treatments reduced thinning costs (60%, approximately) of premature flowering shoots, slightly increased fruit diameter and significantly improved fruit colour and juice quality, thus advancing harvest date.     

Cardiac‐gated,phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography is a reliable and reproducible technique for quantifying blood flow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels

Blood flow changes in cranial abdominal vessels are important contributing factors for canine hepatic disease. This prospective, experimental, pilot study aimed to evaluate cardiac‐gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PCMRA) as a method for characterizing blood flow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels. Eleven, healthy, adult beagle dogs were sampled. Cardiac‐gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography of the cranial abdomen was performed in each dog and blood flow was independently measured in each of the major cranial abdominal vessels by three observers, with two observers recording blood flow values once and one observer recording blood flow values three times. Each dog then underwent ultrasonographic examination of the liver with fine needle aspirations and biopsies submitted to cytologic and histologic examination. The mean absolute stroke volume and velocity were respectively 9.6 ± 1.9 ml and –11.1 ± 1.1 cm/s for the cranial abdominal aorta, 2.1 ± 0.6 ml and –6.6 ± 1.9 cm/s for the celiac artery, and 2.3 ± 1.0 ml and –7.9 ± 3.1 cm/s for the cranial mesenteric artery. The mean absolute stroke volume and velocity were respectively 6.7 ± 1.3 ml and 3.9 ± 0.9 cm/s for the caudal vena cava and 2.6 ± 0.9 ml and 3.2 ± 1.2 cm/s for the portal vein. Intraobserver reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.9). Interobserver reproducibility was also excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.89–0.99). Results of liver ultrasonography, cytology, and histopathology were unremarkable. Findings indicated that cardiac‐gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography is a feasible technique for quantifying blood blow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels. Blood flow values from this sample of healthy beagles can be used as background for future studies on canine hepatic disease.     

PDGFs and PDGFRs in canine osteosarcoma: New targets for innovative therapeutic strategies in comparative oncology

Platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)α and PDGFRβ are tyrosine kinase receptors that are overexpressed in 70–80% of human osteosarcomas (OSAs) and may be suitable therapeutic targets for specific kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Canine OSA shows histopathological and clinical features similar to human OSA, and is considered an excellent model in comparative oncology. This study investigated PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGFRα and PDGFRβ expression in 33 canine OSA samples by immunohistochemistry and in seven primary canine OSA cell lines by Western blot and quantitative PCR analysis.Immunohistochemical data showed that PDGF-A and PDGF-B are expressed in 42% and 60% of the OSAs analysed, respectively, while PDGFRα and PDGFRβ were expressed in 78% and 81% of cases, respectively. Quantitative PCR data showed that all canine OSA cell lines overexpressed PDGFRα, while 6/7 overexpressed PDGFRβ and PDGF-A relative to a normal osteoblastic cell line. Moreover, in vitro treatment with a specific PDGFR inhibitor, AG1296, caused a dose- and time-dependent decrease in AKT phosphorylation. Collectively, these data show that PDGFRs/PDGFs are co-expressed in canine osteosarcomas, which suggests that an autocrine and/or paracrine loop is involved and that they play an important role in the aetiology of OSA. PDGFRs may be suitable targets for the treatment of canine OSA with a specific TKI.     

Hematology and Clinical Chemistry in Amiata Donkey Foals from Birth to 2 Months of Age

The aim of the present study was to fill the void in data related to hematological and biochemical parameters of donkey foals. Whole-blood and plasma samples were obtained from 16 Amiata donkey foals at birth, at 24 and 48 hours, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. RBC, WBC, hemoglobin concentration (Hgb), mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, glucose, creatinine, blood urea, triglycerides, total cholesterol, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, creatine-phosphokinase, alkaline phosphatase, total calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and albumin were measured. Similar to equine foals, values of RBC, Hgb, and Hct decreased significantly after the first 48 hours of life in Amiata donkey foals, reaching values similar to adult donkeys. No changes were found for mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration during the study period. The WBC was low at birth when compared with subsequent measurements, but significantly increased in the subsequent surveys. Platelet count was lower in the first week, with a secondary peak 2 weeks later, and then a decline again up to the eighth week. In agreement with equine foals, electrolyte concentrations, triglycerides, and total cholesterol did not show significant differences. Creatinine, total bilirubin, and blood urea showed a trend similar to RBC, Hgb, and Hct. For the first time, data of hematological and biochemical parameters in Amiata donkey foals are provided.     

Changes in some blood parameters,milk composition and yield of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during the transition period

In this study changes in hematochemical parameters, milk composition and yield were investigated in buffaloes during the transition period. A total of 93 buffaloes 113.9 ± 8.03 months old and 535 ± 50 kg average body weight were used. Parity was recorded, blood samples were collected from 80 days pre‐partum until 70 days post‐partum; milk samples were collected from 5 days to 70 days post‐partum. On serum samples, the values of non‐esterified fatty acids, β‐hydroxybutyrate, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma‐glutamyltransferase, urea, total proteins were evaluated. On milk, percentage of fat, protein and lactose, along with the somatic cell count (SCC), milk yield and daily milk production (DMP) were assessed. The peripartum period significantly (P ≤ 0.01) influenced all studied parameters with the exception of glucose. Milk fat percentage showed decreasing trend from 10 until 40 days post‐partum; DMP significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased from 1 day post‐partum until 40 days post‐partum. Milk yield significantly (P ≤ 0.01) decreased in animals over the sixth lactation. Our results confirmed the importance of transit period in buffaloes. Blood parameters and milk composition alterations are crucial to predict the energy balance status of buffaloes in order to improve their management and feed intake during the transition period.     

Radical-scavenging Activity,Protective Effect Against Lipid Peroxidation and Mineral Contents of Monofloral Cuban Honeys

Several monofloral Cuban honeys were analyzed to determine their free radical-scavenging activity and from this the total antioxidant content was estimated. The protective effect against lipid peroxidation in an in vitro model of rat liver homogenates was evaluated and, lastly, the mineral content of the honeys, which can be related to the maintenance of intracellular oxidative balance, was determined. The scavenging capacities against hydroxyl and superoxide radicals were determined using the spin-trapping technique and the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase assay, respectively. Lipid peroxidation was evaluated through the production of TBARS and hydroperoxides. All honeys tested showed potential antioxidant activity with Linen vine displaying the highest scavenging capacity towards the DPPH, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, while the least efficient was Christmas vine honey. Honeys also inhibited, in a concentration-dependent mode, lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenates, with Linen vine resulting the best while the least effective was Christmas vine honey. The ability to scavenge free radicals and protect against lipid peroxidation may contribute to the ability of certain Cuban honeys to help in preventing/reducing some inflammatory diseases in which oxidative stress is involved. A total of eight minerals were identified and quantified as follows: cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, iron, manganese, lead, and zinc. Minerals found in higher concentrations were iron, zinc and manganese.     

Variation and genomic polymorphism of lectin-related proteins in Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) seeds

Variation of the lectin and the two lectin-related proteins, AIL (-amylase inhibitor-like) and ARL (arcelin-like) was examined in wild and cultivated accessions of Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) using electrophoresis of total seed proteins, immunoblot and RFLP analysis of lectin-related genes. Results confirm that divergence of the two major Lima bean gene pools, Andean and Mesoamerican, also apply to this protein family. All three members of the family are present in both gene pools, with differences in size, abundance and composition between gene pools, giving the possibility to distinguish Andean from Mesoamerican lectin pattern types. Both patterns show some variants, such as lack of lectin or its presence as an abundant protein. The observed variation reflects, at least in part, into genomic polymorphism. The presence of arcelin- and -amylase-related proteins in Lima bean could represent a tool to increase our knowledge in the evolution of the lectin family in Phaseolus species.     

Three-colour flow cytometric detection of PrP in ovine leukocytes

PrP(c) (cellular prion protein, CD230) expression by subpopulations of lymphoid cells has been widely investigated in a variety of species, possibly because of the possible link between transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) transmission and blood transfusion. However, the role of the immune cells in the transmission of the disease is still unclear. Here we describe the optimisation and standardisation of a three-colour staining procedure to detect PrP in association with phenotypic and activation markers in ovine immune cells. We demonstrate a reproducible, flexible and sensitive method and that the combination of isotype-specific antibodies and Fab fragments is feasible. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such labelling of ovine cells. Using this method, we were able to detect differences in levels of PrP expression between blood and lymph node cells of the same animal, and considerable variability between animals. Moreover, we were able to explore possible associations between PrP expression and cellular activation and to identify cell subsets with different labelling patterns. We are currently employing this approach to evaluate variations in immunological parameters during experimental infection in sheep.     

In vitro and in vivo effects of toceranib phosphate on canine osteosarcoma cell lines and xenograft orthotopic models

Canine osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common primary malignant bone tumour in dogs, and it has a high metastatic rate and poor prognosis. Toceranib phosphate (TOC; Palladia, Zoetis) is a veterinary tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively inhibits VEGFR‐2, PDGFRs and c‐Kit, but its efficacy is not yet fully understood in the treatment of canine OSA. Here, we evaluated the functional effects of TOC on six OSA cell lines by transwell, wound healing and colony formation assays. Subsequently, two cell lines (Wall and Penny) were selected and were inoculated in mice by intrafemoral injection to develop an orthotopic xenograft model of canine OSA. For each cell line, 30 mice were xenografted; half of them were used as controls, and the other half were treated with TOC at 40 mg/kg body weight for 20 days. TOC inhibited cell growth of all cell lines, but reduced invasion and migration was only observed in Penny and Wall cell lines. In mice engrafted with Penny cells and subjected to TOC treatment, decreased tumour growth was observed, and PDGFRs and c‐Kit mRNA were downregulated. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated a significant reduction of Ki67 staining in treated mice when compared to controls. The results obtained here demonstrate that TOC is able to slightly inhibit cell growth in vitro, while its effect is evident only in a Penny cell xenograft model, in which TOC significantly reduced tumour size and the Ki67 index without modifying apoptosis markers.