Next Generation Semiconductor Based-Sequencing of a Nutrigenetics Target Gene (GPR120) and Association with Growth Rate in Italian Large White Pigs

The GPR120 gene (also known as FFAR4 or O3FAR1) encodes for a functional omega-3 fatty acid receptor/sensor that mediates potent insulin sensitizing effects by repressing macrophage-induced tissue inflammation. For its functional role, GPR120 could be considered a potential target gene in animal nutrigenetics. In this work we resequenced the porcine GPR120 gene by high throughput Ion Torrent semiconductor sequencing of amplified fragments obtained from 8 DNA pools derived, on the whole, from 153 pigs of different breeds/populations (two Italian Large White pools, Italian Duroc, Italian Landrace, Casertana, Pietrain, Meishan, and wild boars). Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), two synonymous substitutions and one in the putative 3′-untranslated region (g.114765469C > T), were identified and their allele frequencies were estimated by sequencing reads count. The g.114765469C > T SNP was also genotyped by PCR-RFLP confirming estimated frequency in Italian Large White pools. Then, this SNP was analyzed in two Italian Large White cohorts using a selective genotyping approach based on extreme and divergent pigs for back fat thickness (BFT) estimated breeding value (EBV) and average daily gain (ADG) EBV. Significant differences of allele and genotype frequencies distribution was observed between the extreme ADG-EBV groups (P < 0.001) whereas this marker was not associated with BFT-EBV.     

Annuario della societa botanica italiana 1934

Apple research has undergone great improvements in the last years, in both quantitative and qualitative terms. Huge amount of data are now available, especially as far as the early development and the ripening phase are concerned. Moreover, the recent release of the apple genome sequence is significantly speeding up research, allowing on one hand to shed light on the most critical aspects of fruit development with almost immediate practical implications and, on the other hand, to identify new molecular markers that will improve the future breeding programs. In this context, apple is being increasingly considered as a model for fruit development studies, although many gaps still exist in apple research. These gaps are being filled by coupling the next generation high-throughput technologies with new physiological approaches, aimed at achieving both new basic knowledge and innovative tools to improve the final quality of the fruit. In this review, the available information on the regulatory aspects of apple fruit development will be reported and discussed in the light of the future perspectives of apple research.     

Rab24 is Required for Normal Cell Division

Rab24 is an atypical member of the Rab GTPase family whose distribution in interphase cells has been characterized; however, its function remains largely unknown. In this study, we have analyzed the distribution of Rab24 throughout cell division. We have observed that Rab24 was located at the mitotic spindle in metaphase, at the midbody during telophase and in the furrow during cytokinesis. We have also observed partial co‐localization of Rab24 and tubulin and demonstrated its association to microtubules. Interestingly, more than 90% of transiently transfected HeLa cells with Rab24 presented abnormal nuclear connections (i. e. chromatin bridges). Furthermore, in CHO cells stably transfected with GFP‐Rab24wt, we observed a large percentage of binucleated and multinucleated cells. In addition, these cells presented an extremely large size and multiple failures in mitosis, as aberrant spindle formation (metaphase), delayed chromosomes (telophase) and multiple cytokinesis. A marked increase in binucleated, multinucleated and multilobulated nucleus formation was observed in HeLa cells depleted of Rab24. We also present evidence that a fraction of Rab24 associates with microtubules. In addition, Rab24 knock down resulted in misalignment of chromosomes and abnormal spindle formation in metaphase leading to the appearance of delayed chromosomes during late telophase and failures in cytokinesis. Our findings suggest that an adequate level of Rab24 is necessary for normal cell division. In summary, Rab24 modulates several mitotic events, including chromosome segregation and cytokinesis, perhaps through the interaction with microtubules.     

Psychiatric disorders and SLC6A4 gene variants: possible effects on alcohol dependence and alzheimer’s disease

Molecular Biology Reports - Serotoninergic system is one of the most important neurotransmission systems investigated in the field of psychiatry. Extensive evidence reveals how alterations of this...     

Highways are a threat for giant armadillos that underpasses can mitigate

We report 24 records of giant armadillo roadkill on Brazilian highways in the Cerrado, Pantanal and Amazon biomes illustrating that highways are a threat to this species. However, we also documented the species using underpasses, demonstrating that these structures could help to reduce the risk of roadkill for giant armadillos.     

Mechanical behavior of bovine nasal cartilage under static and dynamic loading

Abnormal mechanical loading may trigger cartilage degeneration associated with osteoarthritis. Tissue response to load has been the subject of several in vitro studies. However, simple stimuli were often applied, not fully mimicking the complex in vivo conditions. Therefore, a rolling/plowing explant test system (RPETS) was developed to replicate the combined in vivo loading patterns. In this work we investigated the mechanical behavior of bovine nasal septum (BNS) cartilage, selected as tissue approximation for experiments with RPETS, under static and dynamic loading. Biphasic material properties were determined and compared with those of other cartilaginous tissues. Furthermore, dynamic loading in plowing modality was performed to determine dynamic response and experimental results were compared with analytical models and Finite Elements (FE) computations. Results showed that BNS cartilage can be modeled as a biphasic material with Young's modulus E=2.03±0.7 MPa, aggregate modulus H_A=2.35±0.7 MPa, Poisson's ratio ν=0.24±0.07, and constant hydraulic permeability k₀=3.0±1.3×10⁻¹⁵ m⁴ (N s)⁻¹. Furthermore, dynamic analysis showed that plowing induces macroscopic reactions in the tissue, proportionally to the applied loading force. The comparison among analytical, FE analysis and experimental results showed that predicted tangential forces and sample deformation lay in the range of variation of experimental results for one specific experimental condition. In conclusion, mechanical properties of BNS cartilage under both static and dynamic compression were assessed, showing that this tissue behave as a biphasic material and has a viscoelastic response to dynamic forces.     

Human monocyte‐derived macrophages spontaneously differentiated in vitro show distinct phenotypes

Tissue macrophages are resident phagocytes that acquire specific phenotypes according to the microenvironment. Morphological and functional heterogeneity has been evidenced in different homeostatic and pathological conditions. Indeed, the nature of macrophage subsets may have either harmful or beneficial functions in disease progression/resolution. Therefore the possibility to pharmacologically manipulate heterogeneity represents a relevant challenge. Since human tissue macrophages are not easily obtained, various in vitro models are currently used that do not adequately reflect the heterogeneity and plasticity of tissue macrophages. We had previously reported that two dominant and distinct macrophage morphotypes co‐exist in the same culture of human monocytes spontaneously differentiated for 7 days in autologous serum. The present study was aimed to the phenotypic characterization of these morphotypes, that is, round‐ and spindle‐shaped. We observed that, besides substantial differences in cytoskeleton architecture, round monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDMs) showed higher lipid content, increased macropinocytosis/efferocytosis capacity, and overexpression of CD163, interleukin (IL)‐10, and transforming growth factor (TGF) β2. Conversely, spindle MDMs exhibited enhanced respiratory burst and higher expression of the chemokine (C‐C motif) ligands 18 and 24 (CCL18 and CCL24). Overall, round MDMs show functional traits reminiscent of the non‐inflammatory and reparative M2 phenotype, whereas spindle MDMs exhibit a pro‐inflammatory profile and express genes driving lymphocyte activation and eosinophil recruitment. MDMs obtained in the culture condition herein described represent a valuable model to disentangle and manipulate the functional heterogeneity of tissue macrophages that has been disclosed in scenarios spanning from inflammatory and wounding responses to atherosclerotic lesions. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1464–1472, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Historical trends in the epidemiology of candidaemia: analysis of an 11-year period in a tertiary care hospital in Brazil

Candida species are an important cause of bloodstream infections (BSI). To evaluate the epidemiological, clinical and microbiological aspects of two cohorts {1994-1999 [period 1 (P1) ]; 2000-2004 [period 2 (P2) ]} of candidaemic patients, we performed a retrospective analysis from a laboratory-based survey. A total of 388 candidaemias were identified, with an incidence of 0.20/1,000 patient-days and a significant increase in P2 vs. P1 (0.25 vs. 0.15, p = 0.04). Cancer and prior antibiotic use were frequent and Candida albicans was the most prevalent species found (42.4%). Resistance to fluconazole was found in 2.47% of the strains. No differences were observed in the species distribution of Candida during the study periods. In the P2 cohort, there were higher prevalence of elderly individuals, cardiac, pulmonary and liver diseases, renal failure, central venous catheters and antibiotic therapy. In P1, there were higher prevalence of neurological diseases and chemotherapy. The crude mortality was 55.4%. In conclusion, our incidence rates remained high. Furthermore, the distribution pattern of Candida species and the fluconazole resistance profile remained unchanged. Moreover, we found a clear trend of higher prevalence of candidaemia among the elderly and among patients with comorbidities. Finally, it is necessary to discuss strategies for the prevention and control of Candida BSI in Brazil.     

A randomized placebo-controlled study on high-dose oral algal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in children with cystic fibrosis

Low plasma concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are reported in unsupplemented cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Forty-one CF patients aged from 6 to 12 years were randomized to receive high-dose DHA (100 mg/kg/day in the first month and 1 g per day thereafter through a 12-month supplementation) or placebo (germ oil). Primary outcome was percentage change in plasma AA:DHA ratio. Secondary outcomes were changes in the number of pulmonary exacerbations compared to previous year, lung function, BMI, skinfold thicknesses, and body composition assessed by DXA and in serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, cytokines and vitamin (α-tocopherol and retinol). Compared to the control group plasma AA:DHA ratio decreased in the intervention group after 6 months (median percentage changes: ?73% in the intervention group vs. ?10% in the control group, P=0.001). No differences were detected between groups for secondary outcomes. Despite a decrease of the AA/DHA ratio, DHA supplementation for one year did not induce any significant biochemical and clinical improvement in CF patients.