Cyclin D1 immunohistochemical expression and somatic mutations in canine oral melanoma

Canine oral melanoma (COM) is the most frequent tumour with oral localization in dogs. Copy number gains and amplifications of CCND1, a gene coding for Cyclin D1, are the most frequent chromosomal aberrations described in human non‐UV induced melanomas. Twenty‐eight cases of COM were retrieved from paraffin‐blocks archives. A total of 4 μm thick sections were immunostained with an antibody against human Cyclin D1 and Ki‐67. Cyclin D1 and Ki‐67 expressions were scored through two counting methods. DNA was extracted from 20 μm thick sections of formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded blocks. Pathological and surrounding healthy tissue was extracted independently. Cyclin D1 immunolabelling was detected in 69% (18/26) while Ki‐67 was present in 88.5% (23/26) of cases. Statistical analysis revealed correlation between two counting methods for Cyclin D1 (r = 0.54; P = .004) and Ki‐67 (r = 0.56; P = .003). The correlation found between Ki‐67 and Cyclin D1 indexes in 16/26 cases labelled by both antibodies (r = 0.7947; P = .0002) suggests a possible use of Cyclin D1 index as prognostic marker. Polymerase chain reaction analysis on CCND1 coding sequence revealed the presence of nine somatic mutations in seven samples producing synonymous, missense and stop codons. Since none of the single‐nucleotide polymorphisms was found to be recurrent, it is suggested that overexpression of Cyclin D1 may be the consequence of alterations of CCND1 upstream regions or other genetic aberrations not detectable with the methodology used in this study. Future studies are needed to verify the potential use of Cyclin D1 index as prognostic indicator and to highlight the molecular events responsible for Cyclin D1 overexpression in COMs.     

Data-mining social media platforms highlights conservation action for the Mediterranean Critically Endangered blue shark Prionace glauca

1. The Mediterranean Sea represents an area of elevated risk of extinction for sharks, where data deficiency is a pervasive problem.
2. To compensate for such a paucity of information, this study investigated the use of social media content as a complementary approach to evaluate the distribution and habitat use of the Critically Endangered blue shark Prionace glauca in coastal waters, as well as public perceptions of the sharks.
3. Through social media data mining a total of 146 records, comprising 158 individual blue sharks approaching Italian coastal waters, have been recorded from 2011 to 2020.
4. This study revealed that, over the past decade, blue sharks regularly visited Italian coastal habitats for extended periods of time. Differences in the temporal distribution of blue sharks by sex and size appear to be linked to reproductive activity. The higher number of adult females approaching the shore in spring and the increase in young-of-the-year (YOY) sightings in the following months possibly indicate parturition in coastal waters. Spatial analyses also showed that certain Italian coastal areas, such as those in Calabria and Puglia, were preferred coastal habitats for this species.
5. Results also indicate that social media platforms can be considered an ever-growing source of data on wildlife, which can shed light on the occurrence and distribution of endangered shark species in poorly known habitats. Furthermore, social media platforms should be used for awareness campaigns to educate the public, as this study showed that negative reactions to shark encounters remain widespread.

     

Nutrients and antioxidant molecules in yellow plums (Prunus domestica L.) from conventional and organic productions: a comparative study

Yellow plums (Prunus domestica L) conventionally and organically grown in the same farm were selected to study the influence of different agronomic practices on antioxidant vitamins (ascorbic acid, vitamin E, beta-carotene) and phenolics (total polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonols) concentration. Conventional plums were grown on tilled soil. Three organic cultivations were performed: tilled soil, soil covered with trifolium, and soil covered with natural meadow. Differences in macronutrients were marginal, whereas antioxidant vitamins and phenolic compounds concentration markedly differed among cultivations. Ascorbic acid, alpha-, gamma-tocopherols, and beta-carotene were higher in organic plums grown on soil covered with natural meadow. The highest phenolic acids content was detected in plums grown on soil covered with trifolium. Total polyphenols content was higher in conventional plums. Quercetin was higher in conventional plums, but myrecitin and kaempferol were higher in organic plums. Under the same cultivar and climate conditions, the type of soil management turned out of primary importance in influencing the concentration of health-promoting compounds.