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Case Report: Reproductive evaluation of a Murgese stallion with obstructive azoospermia, accumulation of hyaline material in the ampullae ducts, and corpora amylacea in vesicular glands
No full textThis report aims to present a case of obstructive azoospermia in a stud stallion diagnosed with an alkaline phosphatase (SPAP) assessment. A 20-year-old Murgese stallion is referred for acquired azoospermia. History is negative for reproductive disorders, and clinical examinations and ultrasonography of internal and external genitalia do not reveal significant alterations. Semen collection highlights the absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate and the urinalysis is negative for spermatozoa. SPAP assay is performed on seminal plasma, with a value of 30 IU/L, compatible with obstructive azoospermia. A biopsy is performed, detecting the presence of complete germ lines in both testes. A resolution is attempted endoscopically, gently insufflating ampullae, with negative results, so the stallion is excluded from breeding. Time afterwards, the stallion dies of natural causes, and necropsy and histopathological analyses are performed. Corpora amylacea are highlighted in both seminal vesicles; the right and left ampullae show ectasic lumen, with the diffuse presence of hyaline material. Ampullae obstruction is an uncommon pathology, which can affect stallions and jacks, generally caused by the accumulation of spermatozoa, but, unfortunately, this case was unresponsive to attempted treatments. Interestingly, to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of corpora amylacea in equine stallion sexual glands
Technology transfer in Italy: a quantitative analysis
No full textLiterature review discusses the evolution of economic growth theories, particularly the transition from the neoclassical model to endogenous growth theories that emphasize the role of knowledge, ideas, and human capital in increasing productivity and output. Empirical research supports the positive relationship between R&D and productivity growth, with university R&D showing long-term benefits and corporate R&D yielding quicker returns.Moreover, innovation is historically considered the main driver of economic and social development and, above all, investments in R&D are considered essential for enhancing national competitiveness and productivity. This study investigates the impact of patent and research and development (R&D) expenditures by universities and firms on economic growth in Italy, highlighting the mechanisms of innovation propagation and diffusion and contributing to the debate on the differential role of universities versus firms in growth processes.Utilizing a panel data technique, the analysis demonstrates a positive correlation between value added per worker and R&D expenditures per capita. The empirical findings indicate that university R&D expenditures have a higher impact on value added per worker compared to firm R&D expenditures. Gross fixed investments show an immediate but lower impact, while patents significantly influence economic growth after a five-year lag. Notably, the results reveal a time lag in the impact: university R&D investments generally exhibit an immediate effect on economic growth, whereas firms experience positive spillovers on regional growth after some years.The findings suggest that policies supporting technology transfer should strengthen the role of universities in areas with low industrial intensity by enhancing intermediation tools (such as Technology Transfer Offices, incubators, and contamination labs
Green synthesis and two-step chromatographic separation of thiocanthal and thiocanthol: Two novel biologically active sulfur derivatives of oleocanthal and oleacein from extra virgin olive oil
No full textoai:research.unite.it:11575/14940
Divisional applications and patent portfolios in Europe: will patenting strategies change after the introduction of the unitary patent and the UPC?
No full textFor many years now, at least in some central sectors in modern economies, we have witnessed the collapse of the classical idea that the invention would be protected by a single title of protection. More and more often, companies protect their innovations through patent portfolios, also because of the strategic advantages that the cluster grants to the owner. This paper aims to analyse the discipline of divisional patents as a tool for building a patent portfolio or cluster. Next, wethe article will focus on how (and if) the patenting strategies of companies that typically hold portfolios of exclusive rights will change following the recent entry into force of the new unitary patent and the Unified Patent Cour
Biogenic amine degrading bacteria as a biotechnological tool for industry application
No full textBiogenic amines (BAs) are nitrogenous compounds derived by microbial
decarboxylation of amino acids. They are generally accumulated
in fermented foods such as dairy products. Their occurrence could be a
food safety risk because they have vasoactive and psychoactive effects,
making their reduction a priority in dairy processing. This study explores
the ability of 16 Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strains, isolated from Parmigiano
Reggiano cheese, to degrade BAs. Strains were tested for the
presence of hdc and tdc genes, responsible for histamine and tyramine
biosynthesis, respectively. The BAs degradation ability was assessed by
HPLC in planktonic and biofilm-preadapted cells and the expression of
the multicopper oxidase involved in BAs degradation was evaluated by
qRT-PCR. Statistical significance was assessed using one-way ANOVA
(P < 0.05), followed by Tukey’s honestly significant difference post hoc
test to determine significant pairwise differences between conditions.
Three biological replicates and 3 technical replicates were performed to
ensure data reliability. The hdc and tdc genes were absent in all strains.
The BA degradation rate (%) was higher in biofilm-preadapted cells than in the planktonic counterparts. In particular, L. paracasei LBH01
biofilm-preadapted cells achieved a cadaverine degradation rate of
50.2%, compared with 40.3% in planktonic cells. Similarly, histamine
and tyramine degradation reached 33.2% and 36.2%, respectively, in
biofilm-preadapted cells. The qRT-PCR analysis confirmed that the mco
gene was more expressed in biofilm-preadpated cells than in planktonic
ones. The highest overexpression was observed for LBH01 and LBP01
strains with a fold change of 11.9 and 9.4, respectively. These results suggested that the metabolic versatility of L. paracasei biofilm-preadapted
cells could be implemented at the industrial level to enhance food safety,
reduce regulatory concerns, and improve product quality
Effect of ball milling on physical properties of cocoa powder
No full textBall milling (BM) was applied to cocoa powder with varying fat content to improve suitability for developing innovative beverages. Cocoa powder is widely used, but the limited water dispersibility and/or stabilizing ability of emulsified systems restricts its applications in food design. BM treatments applied differed in treatment time (10, 20, or 30 min) and rotation speed (450 or 550 rpm). After BM, particle size increased or decreased (39.7 and 22.3% respectively, on average) depending on cocoa composition and processing conditions. This corresponded to changes in microstructure, lipid structure, color, and bioactive content with promising results for novel ingredient development
GENERATION OF A KNOCK-OUT DISEASE MODEL FOR FRIEDREICH’S ATAXIA VIA CRISPR/CAS9 TECHNOLOGY
No full textMolecular Survey for Major Canine Enteric Viral Pathogens in Wild Carnivores, Northwestern Italy
No full text: Wild carnivores can harbor pathogens affecting wildlife conservation and domestic animal health. This study surveyed major viral pathogens in free-ranging wolves, red foxes, stone martens, and Eurasian badgers in Northwestern Italy. Duodenal samples from 140 carcasses were screened by consensus PCR for members of the species Protoparvovirus carnivoran1 and for canine adenoviruses (CAdV-1/2). PCR-positive samples underwent sequence-independent amplification and Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) and feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) DNAs were identified in three wolves (6.4%) and one badger (4.3%), whereas CAdV-1 was detected in one red fox (1.8%). Nanopore sequencing yielded near-complete genomes of two CPV-new 2a, one CPV-2c, and one FPV strains, along with partial CAdV-1 sequences. Furthermore, the complete genome of a canine circovirus (CaCV) strain in co-infection with a CPV-2c-positive wolf and partial sequences of a canine kobuvirus (CaKoV) strain were also obtained. Phylogenetic analysis placed these viruses within known European lineages and linked them to domestic and wild hosts. These findings revealed the circulation of multiple viral pathogens among wild carnivores, reflecting ongoing cross-species spillover. Continuing molecular surveillance at the wildlife-domestic interface is recommended