Assessing The Spatial Dependence of Adaptive Loci in 43 European and Western Asian Goat Breeds Using AFLP Markers

Background

During the past decades, neutral DNA markers have been extensively employed to study demography, population genetics and structure in livestock, but less interest has been devoted to the evaluation of livestock adaptive potential through the identification of genomic regions likely to be under natural selection.

Methodology/Principal findings

Landscape genomics can greatly benefit the entire livestock system through the identification of genotypes better adapted to specific or extreme environmental conditions. Therefore we analyzed 101 AFLP markers in 43 European and Western Asian goat breeds both with Matsam software, based on a correlative approach (SAM), and with Mcheza and Bayescan, two F_ST based software able to detect markers carrying signatures of natural selection.Matsam identified four loci possibly under natural selection – also confirmed by F_ST-outlier methods – and significantly associated with environmental variables such as diurnal temperature range, frequency of precipitation, relative humidity and solar radiation.

Conclusions/Significance

These results show that landscape genomics can provide useful information on the environmental factors affecting the adaptive potential of livestock living in specific climatic conditions. Besides adding conservation value to livestock genetic resources, this knowledge may lead to the development of novel molecular tools useful to preserve the adaptive potential of local breeds during genetic improvement programs, and to increase the adaptability of industrial breeds to changing environments.     

Is disruption of sleep quality a consequence of severe Covid-19 infection? A case-series examination

ABSTRACT

The Covid-19 outbreak put enormous stress on the health system worldwide, and objective data to handle the emergency are still needed. We aimed to objectively assess the consequence of severe symptoms of Covid-19 infection on sleep quality through wrist actigraphy monitoring of four patients during the sub-acute recovery stage of the disease. The sleep of those patients who had experienced the most severe respiratory symptoms and who had needed prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay showed lower Sleep Efficiency and Immobility Time and higher Fragmentation Index compared to those patients who had experienced only mild respiratory symptoms and not requiring ICU stay. Wrist actigraphy assessment provided important clinical information about the sleep and activity levels of Covid-19 patients during the post-acute rehabilitation management.     

Distribution of diaphragmatic lymphatic lacunae.

The morphology of the submesothelial lymphatic lacunae on the pleural and peritoneal surface over the tendinous and muscular portion of the diaphragm was studied in 10 anesthetized rabbits. The lymphatic network was evidenced by injecting 1 ml of colloidal carbon solution in the pleural (n = 5) or the peritoneal (n = 5) space. After 1 h of spontaneous breathing, the animal was killed and the diaphragm was fixed in situ by injection of approximately 5 ml of fixative in pleural and peritoneal spaces. Then both cavities were opened and the diaphragm was excised and pinned to a support. According to which cavity had received the injection, the peritoneal or the pleural side of the diaphragm was scanned by sequential imaging of the whole surface by use of a video camera connected to a stereomicroscope and to a video monitor. The anatomic design appeared as a network of lacunae running either parallel or perpendicular to the major axis of the tendinous or muscular fibers. The lacunae were more densely distributed on the tendinous peritoneal area than on the pleural one. Scanty lacunae were seen on the muscular regions of both diaphragmatic sides, characterized by large areas without lacunae. The average density of lacunae on tendinous and muscular regions was 6 and 1.7/cm2 for the pleural side and 25 and 3.4/cm2 for the peritoneal side, respectively. The average width of lacunae was 137.9 +/- 1.6 and 108.8 +/- 1.7 microns on the tendinous pleural and the peritoneal side, respectively, and 163 +/- 1.8 microns on the muscular portion of the pleural and peritoneal surfaces.     

The three dimensional analysis of the Sforzesco brace correction

Background

Scoliosis is a three dimensional deformity, and brace correction should be 3D too. There is a lack of knowledge of the effect of braces, particularly in the sagittal and transverse plane. The aim of this study is to analyse the Sforzesco Brace correction, through all the parameters provided by Eos 3D imaging system.

Method

Design: This is a cross sectional study from a prospective database started in March 2003.Participants: 16 AIS girls (mean age 14.01) in Sforzesco brace treatment, with EOS x-rays, at start, in brace after 1 month and out of brace after the first 4 months of treatment. Outcome measures: All the parameters and the Torsio-Index obtained from 3D Eos System, in and out of brace, in the three planes. Statistical analysis: the variability of the parameters and the mean differences were analyzed and compared using paired T test. ANOVA was used for multiple comparisons. Critical P value was set at 0.05.

Results

In the comparison of in-brace vs start of treatment, the mean Cobb angle changed significantly from 36.44 +/? 4 to 28.99?+??3.9° (p?=?0.01). Significant changes in all the sagittal parameters were found (p?=?0.02). In the axial plane, the Torsio Index changed significantly in-brace for thoracolumbar and lumbar curves (P?<?0.05). The analysis of the single vertebral tilt demonstrated that the effect of the brace is mostly concentrated at specific segments: T4-T5, T10-T12, L1 and L5 in the axial plane and T3-T6 and T10-L1 in the frontal plane.

Conclusion

The Sforzesco brace mostly modifies the middle of the spine and preserves the sagittal balance. The single vertebral orientation in each plane should be considered together with the typically used values to assess brace effect.

     

Direct measurement of interstitial pulmonary pressure in in situ lung with intact pleural space

We developed an experimental approach to measure the pulmonary interstitial pressure with the micropuncture technique in in situ lungs with an intact pleural space. Experiments were done in anesthetized paralyzed rabbits that were oxygenated via an endotracheal tube with 50% humidified oxygen and kept in either the supine or the lateral position. A small area of an intercostal space was cleared of the intercostal muscles down to the endothoracic fascia. Subsequently a "pleural window" was opened by stripping the endothoracic fascia over a 0.2-cm2 surface and leaving the parietal pleura (approximately 10 microns thick). Direct micropuncture through the pleural window was performed with 2- to 3-microns-tip pipettes connected to a servo-null pressure-measuring system. We recorded pleural liquid pressure and, after inserting the pipette tip into the lung, we recorded interstitial pressure from subpleural lung tissue. Depth of recording for interstitial pressure averaged 263 +/- 122 (SD) microns. We report data gathered at 26, 53, and 84% lung height (relative to the most dependent portion of the lung). For the three heights, interstitial pressure was -9.8 +/- 3, -10.1 +/- 1.6, and -12.5 +/- 3.7 cmH2O, respectively, whereas the corresponding pleural liquid pressure was -3.4 +/- 0.5, -4.4 +/- 1, and -5.2 +/- 0.3 cmH2O, respectively.     

SOSORT consensus paper: school screening for scoliosis. Where are we today?

This report is the SOSORT Consensus Paper on School Screening for Scoliosis discussed at the 4^th International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities, presented by SOSORT, on May 2007. The objectives were numerous, 1) the inclusion of the existing information on the issue, 2) the analysis and discussion of the responses by the meeting attendees to the twenty six questions of the questionnaire, 3) the impact of screening on frequency of surgical treatment and of its discontinuation, 4) the reasons why these programs must be continued, 5) the evolving aim of School Screening for Scoliosis and 6) recommendations for improvement of the procedure.     

Functional arrangement of rat diaphragmatic initial lymphatic network

Fluid and solute flux between the pleural and peritoneal cavities, although never documented under physiological conditions, might play a relevant role in pathological conditions associated with the development of ascitis and pleural effusion and/or in the processes of tumor dissemination. To verify whether a pleuroperitoneal flux might take place through the diaphragmatic lymphatic network, the transdiaphragmatic pressure gradient (Delta P(TD)) was measured in five spontaneously breathing anesthetized rats. Delta P(TD) was -1.93 cmH2O (SD 0.59) and -3.1 cmH2O (SD 0.82) at end expiration and at end inspiration, respectively, indicating the existence of a pressure gradient directed from the abdominal to the pleural cavity. Morphometrical analysis of the diaphragmatic lymphatic network was performed in the excised diaphragm of three additional rats euthanized with an anesthesia overdose. Optical and electron microscopy revealed that lymphatic submesothelial lacunae and lymphatic capillaries among the skeletal muscles fibers show the ultrastructural features of the so-called initial lymphatic vessels, namely, a discontinuous basal lamina and anchoring filaments linking the outer surface of the endothelial cells to connective tissue or to muscle fibers. Primary unidirectional valves in the wall of the initial lymphatics allow entrance of serosal fluid into the lymphatic network preventing fluid backflow, while unidirectional intraluminar valves in the transverse vessels convey lymph centripetally toward central collecting ducts. The complexity and anatomical arrangement of the two valves system suggests that, despite the existence of a favorable Delta P(TD), in the physiological condition no fluid bulk flow takes place between the pleural and peritoneal cavity through the diaphragmatic lymphatic network.     

Indications for conservative management of scoliosis (guidelines)

We report a 15-year-old girl who presented with spinal malsegmentation, associated with other skeletal anomalies. The spinal malsegmentation was subsequently discovered to be part of the spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome. In addition, a distinctive craniocervical malformation was identified, which included atlanto-axial rotatory fixation. The clinical and the radiographic findings are described, and we emphasise the importance of computerised tomography to characterize the craniocervical malformation complex. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical report of a child with spondylocarpotarsal synostosis associated with atlanto-axial rotatory fixation.