1,721,183 research outputs found
Signatures of selection identify loci associated with fat tail in sheep
No full textIdentification of genomic regions that have been targets of selection for phenotypic traits is one of the most challenging applications of dense marker panels in animal genetics. In this study, a genomewide scan using approximately 50,000 SNP was performed in an attempt to identify genomic regions associated with fat deposition in sheep, the importance of this not only being limited to livestock facing future climate changes but also for elucidating the physiology of lipid metabolism. The genotyping results obtained with the Ovine SNP50K BeadChip in 2 fat tail breeds were compared with those obtained in 13 thin tail breeds. Direct sequencing of the annotated genes located in proximity to the markers with opposite allele frequency in thin tail vs. fat tail sheep gave additional SNP of interest. To further confirm the results of the genomewide scan, we genotyped the SNP within these genes in the 2 groups of sheep. A missense mutation in the BMP2 gene, with different allele frequency in the 2 groups, was detected. The results indicated BMP2 and VNRT as the most probable genes involved in the fat tail phenotype
The carpal tunnel syndrome in children
No full textIntroduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in children represents a complex challenge for the hand surgeon because of its rarity, poor patient cooperation, frequently associated malformation syndromes and mental retard, atypical symptoms and nuanced and poor sensitivity of instrumental tests. The most frequently associated causes with the CTS in children are rare congenital malformations and diseases, requiring an overall assessment of the young patient and a high degree of suspicion for the potentially associated canalicular syndrome. On the other hand, the associated syndromes may be the main ally for a diagnosis that starts from the knowledge of the literature and the surgeon's suspicion by observing the child wailing. Early diagnosis and decompression treatment is mandatory. Materials and methods: The authors report a case series of 26 children and analyze the etiology and diagnostic algorithms. Patient assessment was based on complete clinical examination and medical history collection of these young patients with the involvement of the family and educators. Results: In all 26 patients treated, along an average period of 23 months (minimum 12, maximum 30), no signs of recurrence or persistence of median nerve disturbances were recorded. Conclusions: In conclusion, we believe that anamnesis, a careful physical examination and analysis of instrumental examinations, should be accompanied by a thorough knowledge of rare diseases in the context of congenital malformations. The carpal tunnel syndrome, while well known and treated by each orthopedic surgeon, reveals a mysterious aspect in the context of the "fabulous" world of childhood illnesses, even more difficult than rare congenital diseases
Regional climate impacts of irrigation in northern Italy using a high resolution model
Full text linkIrrigation is crucial for sustaining agriculture in certain regions; however, there are effects on the local climate. Previous studies discussed that the irrigation signal might depend on the geographical region as well as the synoptic and climatic conditions. The work presented here aims to investigate the mechanisms behind changes in the irrigation impact on the local conditions depending on synoptic changes. Different to previous works, this employs convection-permitting simulations. Irrigation processes are parameterized in three different ways depending on the evaporative loss. The region of focus is in northern Italy (Po Valley), which is of interest for both the soil-atmosphere coupling strength and widely used irrigation. The simulation period is Summer 2015 (May-July), which includes a heatwave month (July) and an average month (June). The results show how irrigation prevented the drying out of the soil layers during the heatwave. This influences the surface flux partition differently, by increasing moisture flux and decreasing the sensible heat flux. In general, the irrigation impact magnitude, with respect to the control simulation, is more than double in July compared to June. This study discusses climate implications for the region, such as the impact of widespread irrigation on the vegetation health, the heatwave feedback mechanism, atmospheric pollution, and human heat discomfort
Selection signatures of fat tail in sheep
Full text linkThe investigation of the genes with a role in lipid metabolism enjoy considerable scientific and commercial interest because of the strong correlations between fat deposition and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The fat tail characteristic of sheep is the adaptive response to harsh environment, and beyond representing a valuable energy reserve for facing future climate changes provides clues for elucidating the physiology of fat deposition. Studies on various sheep populations detected fat-tail signatures on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 13. Fat-tailed sheep represent about 25% of the world’s sheep population, and the genes with a role in this phenotype are likely not the same for every breed, since the wild ancestor of sheep had a thin tail, and the fat tail was selected by humans in longstanding husbandry practices in different regions. In the present work, a genome-wide scan using ~50,000 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms was performed to identify selection signatures for the f at tail in the Barbaresca sheep, an Italian breed originating from North Africa. Fst values of differentiation, and χ2 test of significance of allele frequency were calculated, for each marker, between the Barbaresca and each of 13 Italian thin-tailed breeds. Strong signals of selection were detected for all 13 breeds on chromosome 6, in a region encoding the SLIT homolog 2 gene, this gene acting as a molecular guidance cue in cellular migration. The signature on chromosome 7 was very strong only in some of the breeds used for comparison: the detected signal was located in proximity of the Vertnin gene, a candidate for variation in vertebral number, and was already revealed in Iranian and Mediterranean fat-tailed breeds, but not in the Chinese sheep, so confirming the complexity of the fat-tail phenotype, which is associated in some breeds to long and pendulous tail, while, in other breeds, to the short tail
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Tub gurnard Chelidonichthys lucerna L.: a new fish species suitable for farming? First answers evaluating the growth of juveniles reared at different stocking densities, welfare and fillet quality
No full textA trial was conducted to evaluate the growth
performance and survival of Chelidonichthys lucerna.
A total of 13 352 180-days old juveniles (5.5 ± 2 g;
5 ± 1 cm) were reared at two different densities for 360 days. Despite the good growth and survival, the final mean weight was below that requested by the market. Future research efforts should focus on reducing the feed conversion rate (3:1)
A new sign allowing diagnosis in the pathologies of the extensor tendons of the hand
No full textIntroduction: The thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the extensor tendon system of the hand is crucial for clinical examination and detection of tendon injuries. The Juncturae between the EDCII and other extensor tendons presents different incidences, shapes (“r” or “y”) and morphologies (Type I, II, III). The EIP does not receive connection. These characteristics may result in variable effects on extensor tendons during active finger movements. The purpose of this study is to investigate and describe a new sign helping diagnosis for injuries or pathologies of EIP and EDC index finger (EDC II), based on a cadaveric dissection and clinical observation. Materials and methods: The authors performed a clinical observational study in 520 patients in order to distinctly evaluate by means of inspection and palpation the EIP and EDC II tendons and an anatomical analysis of extensor tendon apparatus of long fingers was then performed in 89 cadaver hands focusing the investigation on the juncturae system. Results: The observational studies showed that during the flexion of the III, IV and V fingers, associated to the active extension of the I and II fingers, the EDC of the III, IV and V fingers moved the EDC II in ulnar direction by means of juncturae action. The EIP remained in its position becoming visible and isolated from the migrated EDC II. Conclusions: This feature allows the distinct clinical evaluation by observation and palpation of both EDC II and EIP tendons and may be helpful in clinical conditions such as diagnosis of tendon lesions, pre-operative planning of EIP transfer and extensor tendon tenolysis associated to soft tissue scar at the second MPj
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