Domestication of Alpine blue-sow-thistle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicerbita alpina</Emphasis> (L.) Wallr.): six year trial results

Alpine blue-sow-thistle (Cicerbita alpina (L.) Wallr.) is a perennial herb distributed all along the entire Alpine Arc, the shoots of which are still collected in the wild in several areas of Northern-Eastern Italy for food purposes. Our paper deals with experiments of domestication of this species carried out in the surroundings of Trento and lasted from 2004 to 2010. The cultivation was carried out transplanting seedlings, obtained by wild seed of a unique accession. One experimental trial (2004/2008) was carried in the location Frisanchi, located at 1,078 m a.s.l. In this trial the theses compared 4 harvests, 1 week spaced, carried out respectively in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year after the transplant. Of the total quantity harvested after 4 years, the most shoots (60) and the highest dried weight per m² (14 g) were obtained from shoots collected 2 or 3 years after being transplanted. However, comparing the shoots yielded in the last year of the trial only (2008), the best results were obtained from 3 or 4-year-old transplants (42 shoots/m²; 8.2 g dry weight). Nevertheless there four times harvesting of shoots weakened the plants’ development and a high failure rates was recorded. In addition to the real experimental trial another small cultivation was carried out in an higher location, Monte Bondone at 1,500 m a.s.l., in which 5 years after the transplant (2010) only 2 harvests were carried out. In this experiment the yield recorded was very encouraging (10.5 g m²) and also the quality of the shoots collected was good.     

A novel conceptual framework for long‐term leaching of autochthonous soil particles during transient flow

To date, most of the experimental and modelling research on the mobilization mechanisms of autochthonous colloidal‐sized soil particles has focused on single rainfall events. However, in the field, natural events interrupted by rainless periods of various durations follow one another. Some studies have shown that the amount of leached particles is much affected by the chronology of rainfall events. In this paper, we propose a model to compute the amount of mobilized particles during the transient flow regime of long series of successive rainfall events. Particles that can be mobilized are assumed to be located at the surface of preferential flow paths in contact with flowing water. As water passes, particles are mobilized, thus uncovering new particles and renewing the stock of mobilizable particles. We also report experimental data on the impact of long series of rainfall events on particle mobilization in undisturbed calcareous soil columns under controlled conditions. The model provides a framework to understand the variation of mobilization observed during the transient flow regime of these rainfall events. These variations resulted in part from the interplay between macropore water content at the onset of rain and the chronology of previous rainfall events. Additionally, the model provides a feedback loop between particle mobilization and minute macropore structure modifications. Once coupled with a particle transport model this feature may be useful to model soil structure changes during long series of successive rainfall events.     

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide system is involved in the defective quality of bovine oocytes from low mid-antral follicle count ovaries

In a previous survey concerning cows of reproductive age, we demonstrated that oocytes isolated from ovaries with <10 medium antral follicles of 2 to 6 mm in diameter (low ovaries; Lo) show less developmental competence than oocytes collected from ovaries with >10 medium antral follicles (high ovaries; Hi). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether a defective endothelial nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide (eNOS/NO) system and vasculature in healthy medium antral follicles is likely to reduce oocyte competence from Lo ovaries. Thus, experiments were conducted to 1) immunolocalize eNOS protein during folliculogenesis; 2) quantify eNOS protein/vasculature in the follicle wall; and 3) verify if NO donor, S-nitroso acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) administration during in vitro maturation affects developmental competence of oocytes isolated from Lo ovaries. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein was detected in granulosa and theca cells, as well as in blood vessels from primordial to antral follicles. Quantitative analysis indicated that in medium antral follicles from Lo ovaries, eNOS protein expression and vasculature were reduced (P < 0.05). The addition of SNAP improved blastocyst and hatching rates of oocytes from Lo ovaries, promoting a percentage similar to oocytes from Hi ovaries, and reduced the percentage of apoptotic nuclei in in vitro-produced blastocysts (P < 0.05). Results from our study suggest that in bovine ovaries with small mid antral follicle number, a defective eNOS/NO system is related to a reduced follicle vasculature and may affect oocyte quality, thus inducing a premature decline of fertility.     

Magnetic resonance and computed tomographic features of 4 cases of canine congenital thoracic vertebral anomalies

Magnetic resonance and computed tomography features of 4 cases of canine congenital vertebral anomalies (CVAs) are discussed. Two of the cases represent unusual presentations for such anomalies that commonly affect screw-tail or toy breeds. Moreover, the combination of CVAs and a congenital peritoneo-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia has never before been imaged.     

Development of an indirect ELISA-NcSRS2 for detection of Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle

Neosporosis is of alarming economic concern in the cattle industry. The effectiveness of diagnostic tests for detecting specific antibodies against Neospora caninum is hampered by potential cross-reaction with other coccidia. Use of a single specific antigen might improve test specificity. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed using the truncated protein NcSRS2 expressed in Escherichia coli. The ELISA results were compared with those of the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and Tests in the Absence of a Gold Standard (TAGS) analysis revealed an assay having 96% specificity and 95% sensitivity when applied to 145 positive and 352 negative sera from two distinct cattle populations. Using OD ≤ 0.095 as the cut-off point, the assay's negative and positive predictive values ranged from 98.8% to 50.8% and from 58.8% to 99.1%, respectively, depending on neosporosis prevalence in a given area. The novel ELISA-NcSRS2 format described in the present report constitutes a specific and sensitive method for detecting N. caninum in cattle.     

Use of Anguilla anguilla for Biomonitoring Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Brackish and Riverine Waters in Central and Southern Italy

One of the aims of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/CE is to assess the ecological status of water bodies in Europe in relation to priority contaminants, including some persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Recognizing the benefits of measuring hydrophobic compounds in biota tissues rather than in water, we used the European eel Anguilla anguilla in the present study as a bioindicator species for monitoring POPs in freshwater/brackish environments. We present the results of a contamination analysis of eels carried out in three Italian sites representative of different pollution levels: the last part of Tevere River, which flows through a very urbanized and industrialized area, Caprolace Lake and Lesina Lagoon, inside two different protected national parks. A very high pollution variability was recorded within each group of eels, in particular for those caught at Caprolace Lake. Due to this high variability, inter-population comparisons were carried out only between eels collected in Tevere River and Lesina Lagoon. PCBs values in Lesina Lagoon were two orders of magnitude lower than those measured in Tevere River, while no significant differences were found for levels of DDT compounds. Our results confirm the suitability of the eel as an indicator of persistent bioaccumulative pollutants in brackish environments and rivers where it can be easily caught, but we are sceptical of its use in deep lakes where its capture might be problematic considering standard operation procedures for fish sampling.     

Identifying a new paradigm for assessing irrigation system performance

There are many definitions of irrigation system efficiency that are applied over a range of scales. Many traditional definitions considered only the water diverted as the water volume of concern. Considering also the water consumed in defining effective irrigation efficiency is a shift from the classical definition of system efficiency. In this paper, equations are derived for calculating the following system performance measures: the irrigation consumptive use coefficient, irrigation system efficiency, irrigation water and soil salinities, relative yield, and productivity of consumed, diverted and beneficially used water. The expressions are based on quite general assumptions and are valid for systems with a single water source and layouts composed of (or simplified to) irrigation units arranged in a row. The aim of these expressions is to illustrate how system performance is affected by the reuse of water which depends on the system’s hydraulic connections and the irrigation unit performance. Illustrations of the model are provided for systems in series and in parallel. Testing and refinement by removing some of the general assumptions underlying the model will be needed to develop practical applications that can be more confidently applied for comparison and improvement of irrigation systems.     

Therapeutic Potential of Marine Peptides in Prostate Cancer: Mechanistic Insights

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the leading cause of cancer death in men, and its treatment is commonly associated with severe adverse effects. Thus, new treatment modalities are required. In this context, natural compounds have been widely explored for their anti-PCa properties. Aquatic organisms contain numerous potential medications. Anticancer peptides are less toxic to normal cells and provide an efficacious treatment approach via multiple mechanisms, including altered cell viability, apoptosis, cell migration/invasion, suppression of angiogenesis and microtubule balance disturbances. This review sheds light on marine peptides as efficacious and safe therapeutic agents for PCa.