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Insects in outer space: assessing the effects of microgravity on edible and model insect species for spaceflight food system
No full textValidation of a diagnostic algorithm for the diagnosis of canine and feline mammary tumours: Update on an ongoing study
No full textBackground: Focusing on the standardization of the diagnoses of mammary neoplastic and hyperplastic lesions in dogs and cats, a graphical diagnostic algorithm based on the Davis-Thompson Foundation (DTF) classification has been proposed by a panel of 17 veterinary pathologists, either authors of the DTF classification and/or of the Italian guidelines on mammary tumours. To assess its effectiveness in standardizing diagnoses and improving inter-observer agreement, an international ring test study was prepared.
Materials & Methods: Digitally scanned histological slides of 112 canine and feline neoplastic and hyperplastic lesions of the mammary gland were selected. Participants were recruited through congresses, webinars and personal contacts. They were requested to read and grade each slide twice, initially using the DTF classification and then strictly following the algorithm. Results will be statistically analysed to assess concordance among readers and agreement with the gold standard diagnoses derived from the consensus diagnoses of the panel.
Results: Ninety-seven pathologists from 23 different countries and four continents agreed to participate as readers. Thirty-two are junior (with less than 3 years of diagnostic experience, without a diploma in veterinary pathology) and 65 are senior pathologists (39 holding a diploma in veterinary pathology).
Conclusion: The broad international participation of both young and senior pathologists from different continents is remarkable and underscores the significant interest in standardizing the diagnostic approach and in participating in collaborative studies. This might represent a first extensive international concordance study for mammary tumours in dog and cat, potentially fuelling an international discussion on critical issues
P.50: The neuroregenerative secretome of amniotic epithelial cells: in vitro and in vivo evidence of tendon healing modulation
No full textIntroduction: The secretome of stem cells represents a powerful paracrine tool for regenerative medicine. Amniotic epithelial cells (AECs), owing to their embryonic origin, secrete a unique combination of neurotrophic and immunomodulatory factors. While their role in inflammation and ECM remodeling is established, their influence on neuro-mediated tendon regeneration remains poorly defined.
Methods: AECs were isolated from ovine amniotic membranes and cultured in vitro. Expression of neurogenic markers (NGF, CGRP, GAL, NPY) was assessed at passages P0 and P3. NGF secretion was quantified by ELISA. To assess functional neurotrophic activity, AEC-conditioned media (CM) were applied to chick embryo dorsal root ganglia (DRG): neurite radial outgrowth was used as a readout for bioactive NGF signaling. In vivo, we used an ovine Achilles tendon injury model comparing spontaneous healing (CTR) to AEC-treated tendons. Histological, gene expression, and morphometric analyses were performed at 14 and 28 days post-injury. PKH26-labeled AECs were tracked for localization and co-expression of neural markers. Tendon organization was evaluated via cell alignment, angle deviation, and COL1/COL3 ratio.
Results: AECs exhibited consistent expression of NGF, CGRP, GAL, and NPY, with NGF and CGRP showing marked upregulation at P3, revealing significantly increased levels of NGF secretion. NGF-rich CM induced robust radial neurite outgrowth from chick embryo DRGs, confirming its neurogenic efficacy. In vivo, AEC-treated tendons showed transient expression of NGF, CGRP, and GAL at day 14, which became spatially restricted by day 28, unlike CTR tendons where diffuse expression persisted. Pearson’s matrix analysis revealed significant positive correlations between NGF, CGRP, and GAL expression, and between these markers and angle deviation. Notably, in AEC-treated tendons, lower levels of NGF, CGRP, and GAL were positively correlated with improved ECM organization, suggesting their potential as predictive biomarkers for regenerative success. Structural analyses confirmed better ECM alignment and a favorable COL1/COL3 ratio in the treated group.
Conclusion: AECs secrete a neurotrophic secretome that exerts a dual regenerative effect on neural elements and tendon ECM. NGF, a key secreted factor, promotes neurite outgrowth in vitro and modulates in vivo healing dynamics. NGF, CGRP, and GAL emerge as predictive biomarkers for tendon regeneration, supporting the clinical potential of AEC-derived secretomes as a cell-free therapy for neuromodulated tissue repair.
This research has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement ID 955685—Perspective for Future Innovation in Tendon Repair H2020MSCA-ITN-EJD-P4 FIT. This research has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement ID 955685—Perspective for Future Innovation in Tendon Repair H2020MSCA-ITN-EJD-P4 FIT. European Union—NextGenerationEU—under the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) National Innovation Ecosystem grant no. ECS00000041 – VITALITY – CUP C43C22000380007. Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale (PRIN) – Smart Biomimetic Device for Tendon Tissue Engineering – CUP C53D23005440006
Advancing water circularity: a simulation of hydrodynamic cavitation and membrane processes for sustainable industrial wastewater reuse
No full textEvidence of Chronic Tusk Trauma and Compensatory Scoliosis in Mammuthus meridionalis from Madonna della Strada (Scoppito, L’Aquila, Italy)
No full textA remarkably well-preserved skeleton of a male Mammuthus meridionalis, approximately 60 years old, from the Early Pleistocene that is housed at the Castle of L’Aquila (Italy) exhibits a fractured left tusk with severe bone erosion of the alveolus and premaxillary bone, as well as marked spinal deformities. The cranial region underwent ultrasonographic, radiological, and histological examinations, while morphological and biomechanical analyses were conducted on the vertebral column. Microscopic analysis revealed intra vitam lesions, including woven bone fibers indicative of early bone remodeling and lamellar bone with expanded and remodeled Haversian systems. These findings are consistent with osteomyelitis and bone sequestration, likely resulting from chronic pulpitis following the tusk fracture, possibly due to an accident or interspecific combat. The vertebral column shows cervical scoliosis, compensatory curves, fusion between the first cervical vertebrae, and asymmetric articular facets, suggesting postural adaptations. Evidence of altered molar wear and masticatory function also support long-term survival post-trauma. Additionally, lesions compatible with spondyloarthropathy, an inflammatory spinal condition not previously documented in Mammuthus meridionalis, were identified. These findings provide new insights into the pathology and adaptive responses of extinct proboscideans, demonstrating the critical role of (paleo)histological methods in reconstructing trauma, disease, and aspects of life history in fossil vertebrates
Impatto del cambiamento climatico sull’acquacoltura dei bivalvi e principali strategie di mitigazione: una revisione sistematica
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Exploring copper resistance diversity in Metschnikowia pulcherrima strains
No full textMetschnikowia pulcherrima has recently attracted attention as a promising biotechnological tool for its agri-food applications. It shows effectiveness as biocontrol agents in areas such as winemaking, cheese fermentation, and the control of key postharvest and soil-borne fungal pathogens in agriculture. It belongs to the so-called ‘pulcherrima clade’, together with 10 other species. All of them produce the iron-chelate pigment pulcherrimin and have antagonistic effects on many microorganisms. In this study, 68 presumptive Metschnikowia spp. isolates from grapes and fruits were subjected to metabolic and genotypic characterization. Species identification was performed by sequencing the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene. Strain differentiation was carried out using M13-RAPD-PCR analysis. The strains were evaluated for copper resistance and cell surface hydrophobicity. Moreover, novel primer pairs were developed to amplify 3 orthologous genes possibly involved in copper metabolism. The genes encoded for two transporters of copper and a copper chaperone. The primers were designed by analysing the genome of the APC 1.2 strain. All strains were identified as M. pulcherrima. M13-based molecular typing grouped the isolates into nine clusters, some of which consisted of a single strain. Twelve strains tolerated concentrations of up to 0.2 g/L of copper, and the copper resistance was higher in strains isolated from organic grapes and musts than in those from fruits, suggesting a domestication process in these species. Surface hydrophobicity was strain-dependent, with copper-resistant strains generally exhibiting higher hydrophobicity than the others. All genes were up-regulated in the presence of copper. The highest expression was detected in the strains able to grow in the presence of 0.2 g/L of copper, suggesting their possible involvement in copper tolerance and metabolism. Further studies are necessary to better understand the specific aspects of copper metabolism and trafficking in M. pulcherrima