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Fatty acid composition in milk is not only reflective of nutritional quality but also potentially predictive of other attributes (e. g. including the cow's energy balance and its relative output of methane emissions). Furthermore, a higher ratio of long-chain to short-chain fatty acids or mean carbon number has been associated with negative energy balance in dairy cows, whereas enhanced nutritional properties have been generally associated with higher levels of unsaturation. We set out to directly compare Bayesian regression strategies with partial least squares for the prediction of various milk fatty acids using Fourier-transform infrared spectrum data on 777 milk samples taken from 579 cows on 4 Michigan dairy herds between 5 and 90 d in milk. We also set out to identify those spectral regions that might be associated with fatty acids and whether carbon number or level of unsaturation might contribute to the strength of these associations. These associations were based on adaptively clustered windows of wavenumbers to mitigate the distorting effects of severe multicollinearity on marginal associations involving individual wavenumbers. In general, Bayesian regression methods, particularly the variable selection method BayesB, outperformed partial least squares regression for cross-validation prediction accuracy for both individual fatty acids and fatty acid groups. Strong signals for wavenumber associations using BayesB were well distributed throughout the mid-infrared spectrum, particularly between 910 and 3,998 cm−1. Carbon number appeared to be linearly related to strength of wavenumber associations for 38 moderately to highly predicted fatty acids within the spectral regions of 2,286 to 2,376 and 2,984 to 3,100 cm−1, whereas nonlinear associations were determined within 1,141 to 1,205; 1,570 to 1,630; and 1,727 to 1,768 cm−1. However, no such associations were detected with level of unsaturation. Spectral regions where there were significant relationships between strength of association and carbon number may be useful targets for inferring the relative proportion of long-chain to short-chain fatty acids, and hence energy balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourier-transform near- and mid-infrared (FTIR) milk spectral data are routinely collected in many countries worldwide. Establishing an optimal strategy to use spectral data in genetic evaluations requires knowledge of the heritabilities of individual FTIR wavelength absorbances. Previous FTIR heritability estimates have been based on relatively small sample sizes and have not considered the possibility that heritability may vary across parities and stages of the lactation. We used data from ~370,000 test-day records of Canadian Holstein cows to produce a landscape of the heritability of FTIR spectra, 1,060 wavelengths in the near- and mid-infrared spectrum (5,011–925 cm−1), by parity and month of the lactation (mo 1 to 3 and mo 1 to 6, respectively). The 2 regions of the spectrum associated with absorption of electromagnetic energy by water molecules were estimated to have very high phenotypic variances, very low heritabilities, and very low proportion of variance explained by herd-year-season (HYS) subclasses. The near- or short-wavelength infrared (SWIR: 5,066–3,672 cm−1) region was also characterized by low heritability estimates, whereas the estimated proportion of the variance explained by HYS was high. The mid-wavelength infrared region (MWIR: 3,000–2,500 cm−1) and the transition between mid and long-wavelength infrared region (MWIR-LWIR: 1,500–925 cm−1) harbor several waves characterized by moderately high (≥0.4) heritabilities. Most of the high-heritability regions contained wavelengths that are reported to be associated with important milk metabolites and components. Interestingly, these 2 same regions tended to show more variability in heritabilities between parity and lactation stage. Second parity showed heritability patterns that were distinctly different from those of the first and third parities, whereas the first 2 mo of the lactation had clearly distinct heritability patterns compared with mo 3 to 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The availability of a rapid and accurate method for the diagnosis of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (Phdp), able to discriminate its strictly correlated subsp. damselae (Phdd), formally known as Vibrio damsela, is essential for managing fish pasteurellosis outbreaks in farmed fish. A single‐step, high‐sensitivity real‐time PCR assay for simultaneous detection and quantification of P. damselae was designed targeting partial of the sequence of the bamB gene and tested for specificity and sensitivity on laboratory‐generated samples as well as on experimentally infected seabream tissue samples. With a limit of detection (LOD) of one copy in pure bacterial DNA, the sensitivity was higher than all methods previously reported. Validation in target and non‐target bacterial species proved the assay was able to discriminate Phdd‐Phdp subspecies from diverse hosts/geographical origins and between non‐target species. In addition, two SNPs in the target amplicon region determine two distinctive qPCR dissociation curves distinguishing between Phdp‐Phdd. This is the first time that a molecular method for P. damselae diagnosis combines detection, quantification and subspecies identification in one step. The assay holds the potential to improve the knowledge of infection dynamics and the development of better strategies to control an important fish disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sport performance in dressage and show jumping are two important traits in the breeding goals of many studbooks. To determine the optimum selection scheme for jumping and dressage, knowledge is needed on the genetic correlation between both disciplines and between traits measured early in life and performance in competition in each discipline. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters to support decision-making on specialization of breeding horses for dressage and show jumping in Dutch warmblood horses. Genetic correlations between performance of horses in dressage and show jumping were estimated as well as the genetic correlation between traits recorded during studbook-entry inspections and performance in dressage and show jumping competitions. The information on competition comprised the performance of 82 694 horses in dressage and 62 072 horses in show jumping, recorded in the period 1993-2012. For 26 056 horses, information was available for both disciplines. The information on traits recorded at studbook-entry inspections comprised 62 628 horses, recorded in the period 1992-2013. Genetic parameters were estimated from the whole dataset and from a subset without horses recorded in both disciplines. Additionally, the genetic parameters were estimated in three different time periods defined by horses' birth year. The genetic correlation between dressage and show jumping in the whole dataset was −0.23, and it was −0.03 when it was estimated from horses recorded in only one discipline. The genetic correlation between dressage and show jumping was more negative in the most recent time period in all the cases. The more negative correlation between disciplines in more recent time periods was not reflected in changes in the correlations between competitions traits and the traits recorded in the studbook-first inspection. These results suggest that a breeding programme under specialization might be most effective defining two separate aggregate breeding goals for each of the disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most Warmblood horse studbooks aim to improve the performance in dressage and show jumping. The Dutch Royal Warmblood Studbook ( KWPN) includes the highest score achieved in competition by a horse to evaluate its genetic ability of performance. However, the records collected during competition are associated with some aspects that might affect the quality of the genetic evaluation based on these records. These aspects include the influence of rider, censoring and preselection of the data. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of rider effect, censoring and preselection on the genetic analysis of competition data of dressage and show jumping of KWPN. Different models including rider effect were evaluated. To assess the impact of censoring, genetic parameters were estimated in data sets that differed in the degree of censoring. The effect of preselection on variance components was analysed by defining a binary trait (sport-status) depending on whether the horse has a competition record or not. This trait was included in a bivariate model with the competition trait and used all horses registered by KWPN since 1984. Results showed that performance in competition for dressage and show jumping is a heritable trait ( h2 ~ 0.11-0.13) and that it is important to account for the effect of rider in the genetic analysis. Censoring had a small effect on the genetic parameter for highest performance achieved by the horse. A moderate heritability obtained for sport-status indicates that preselection has a genetic basis, but the effect on genetic parameters was relatively small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies on data from the Dutch Warmblood Studbook (KWPN) have shown that the ongoing specialization of horses for either dressage (DH) or show jumping (JH) has led to a decreasing genetic relationship between the two subpopulations. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of the specialization process on the genetic parameters of traits measured in the studbook-entry inspection of KWPN during the last fifteen years. Data from 18 125 DH and 23 800 JH recorded from 1998 until 2013 were used to analyse 13 traits scored in both DH and JH. Analyses were performed in a Bayesian framework. Firstly, variance components were estimated based on the whole data set. Secondly, genetic correlations between traits measured in DH or JH were estimated using bivariate analyses. Thirdly, three time periods were defined and genetic correlations between subpopulations were estimated within each period. Heritability was moderate (0.17-0.39) for both DH and JH. Genetic correlations between traits measured in DH or JH were not different from one considering the posterior standard deviation of the estimation; however, in most of the traits, a clear trend in reduction of the genetic correlation for traits expressed in DH and JH and an increase in their posterior standard deviation for recent years was observed. These results suggest that specialization could lead to differences in traits measured in DH and JH in the recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last decades, the breeding practice within the Dutch Warmblood studbook (KWPN) has resulted in an increasing specialisation of horses into show-jumping (JH) and dressage (DH). The objective of this study was to describe the effect of the specialisation on the connectedness between the subpopulations of JH and DH horses registered by KWPN. The subpopulations comprised 23,800 JH horses and 18,125 DH horses, born between 1995 and 2009. Genetic similarity (GS), genetic pool in common (GCx) based on the marginal genetic contribution of common ancestors and coefficient of relationship (r) between and within subpopulations were analysed in three periods of time to describe changes in genetic connectedness between subpopulations. A decline in GS (0.97–0.45), GC0.5(0.69–0.13) andr(0.018–0.014) in the recent years was observed. Both subpopulations have a common genetic pool; however, if the specialisation process continues, it will result in two unrelated (genetic) groups. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Summary: The approach towards axillary surgery should be selective and flexible, with its management tailored to patient choice and tumour characteristics, and concordant with local practice guidelines and available resources. Sentinel-lymph-node biopsy has been embraced as a standard of care in many centres around the world and has revolutionised management of the axilla during the past decade. Nonetheless, data for long-term outcomes remain scarce, and there are persistent variations in practice and inconsistencies in methodology. An international perspective has been sought on important issues relating to management of the axilla, which includes not only the indications and techniques for sentinel-lymph-node biopsy, but also lymph-node sampling, axillary-lymph-node dissection, and observation alone. In this Review, we initially present an overview, which focuses on biological models of lymphatic networks within the breast and patterns of tumour dissemination. A set of key questions are posed with preliminary comments from the authors, followed by a series of collective viewpoints from experts within several different countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The optimal method for staging the axilla in breast cancer patients remains controversial despite the advent of sentinel node biopsy. Until recently, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was the standard form of axillary surgery and provided information on prognosis together with loco-regional control of disease. Breast cancer is now recognized as a heterogeneous disease with a variable and often unpredictable natural history and patterns of dissemination which have implications for surgical therapies. This article reviews the principles of axillary management and considers whether a more flexible and selective strategy is appropriate in the current era of shifting paradigms and stage of disease at presentation. Initial staging procedures for the axilla might incorporate a range of surgical options including sampling, sentinel node biopsy and ALND. The choice of surgery and 'standard of care' will be determined by individual patient and tumor characteristics, thus reflecting a tailored approach to axillary management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of ipsilateral local recurrence within a conserved breast depends on the micrometastatic environment at the time of initial clinical presentation. In the absence of micrometastases, local recurrence would be a determinant of distant disease; however, in the presence of micrometastases, it represents a marker of distant relapse. Maximum locoregional treatment at primary diagnosis would be appropriate in the former group, whereas minimum treatment would be sufficient in the latter group, with full treatment prescribed at the time of local recurrence. As an indicator of poor prognosis, the presence of local recurrence permits a more selective approach to therapiesthat would otherwise result in overtreatment for some patients. We, therefore propose a trial that compares conventional treatment with minimum therapy at presentation plus maximum therapy at local relapse in postmenopausal women with small tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide worldwide, targets the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) enzyme in the shikimate pathway found in plants and some microorganisms. While the potential for glyphosate to induce a broad range of biological effects in exposed organisms has been demonstrated, the global molecular mechanisms of toxicity and potential effects in bacterial symbionts remain unclear, in particular for ecologically important marine species such as bivalve molluscs. Here, the effects of glyphosate (GLY), its degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and a mixture of both (MIX) on the mussel M. galloprovincialis were assessed in a controlled experiment. For the first time, next generation sequencing (RNA-seq and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing) was used to evaluate such effects at the molecular level in both the host and its respective microbiota. The results suggest that the variable capacity of bacterial species to proliferate in the presence of these compounds and the impairment of host physiological homeostasis due to AMPA and GLY toxicity may cause significant perturbations to the digestive gland microbiota, as well as elicit the spread of potential opportunistic pathogens such as Vibrio spp.. The consequent host-immune system activation identified at the molecular and cellular level could be aimed at controlling changes occurring in the composition of symbiotic microbial communities. Overall, our data raise further concerns about the potential adverse effects of glyphosate and AMPA in marine species, suggesting that both the effects of direct toxicity and the ensuing changes occurring in the host-microbial community must be taken into consideration to determine the overall ecotoxicological hazard of these compounds. • Ecotoxicological effects of glyphosate and AMPA were investigated in mussels. • GLY and AMPA exposures suggest alterations of mussel physiological homeostasis. • AMPA and GLY toxicity may cause perturbations to the mussels microbiota. • Microbiota perturbations lead to host-immune system activation. • Host-microbiota changes following GLY exposure must be taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the clarification sought by the authors about the diagnostic accuracy of needle-localized open breast biopsy for breast disease cited in an article published in the periodical 'British Journal of Surgery.'

The gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) is a marine fish of great importance for Mediterranean aquaculture. This species has long been considered resistant to Nervous Necrosis Virus (NNV), an RNA virus that causes massive mortalities in several farmed fish animals. However, the recent appearance of RGNNV/SJNNV reassortant strains started to pose a serious threat to sea bream hatcheries, as it is able to infect larvae and juveniles of this species. While host response to NNV has been extensively studied in adult fish, little attention has been devoted to early life history stages, which are generally the most sensitive ones. Here we report for the first time a time-course RNA-seq analysis on 21-day old fish gilthead sea bream larvae experimentally infected with a RGNNV/SJNNV strain. NNV-infected and mock-infected samples were collected at four time points (6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h post infection). Four biological replicates, each consisting of five pooled larvae, were analysed for each time point and group. A large set of genes were found to be significantly regulated, especially at early time points (6 h and 12 h), with several heat shock protein encoding transcripts being up-regulated (e.g. hspa5, dnaj4, hspa9, hsc70), while many immune genes were down-regulated (e.g. myd88 and irf5 at T06, pik3r1 , stat3 , jak1 , il12b and il6st at T12). A gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified several altered pathways/processes. For instance, the formation of peroxisomes, which are important anti-viral components as well as essential for nervous system homeostasis, and the autophagy pathway were down-regulated at 6 h and 24 h post infection (hpi). Finally, two custom "reactomes" (i.e. significant gene sets observed in other studies) were defined and used. The first reactome integrated the transcriptomic response to NNV in different fish species, while the second one included all genes found to be stimulated either by interferon (IFN) or by IFN and Chikungunya virus in zebrafish. Genes in both reactomes showed predominant up-regulation at 6hpi and 12hpi and a general down-regulation at 24hpi. Such evidence suggest a certain degree of similarity between the response of sea bream and that of other fish species to NNV, while the observed down-regulation of IFN- and viral-stimulated pathways argues for a possible interference of NNV against the host response. • A reassortant NNV strain (RGNNV/SJNNV) poses a serious threat to sea bream hatchery. • Gene expression (GE) changes in 21-day old larvae at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h post infection. • At 6hpi many HSP up-regulated and immune genes down-regulated in infected larvae. • Custom reactomes up-reg at 6, 12hpi and down-reg at 24hpi in infected larvae. • Dynamic GE changes with time suggesting the complexity of host-pathogen interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of performance in a 750‐km, 15‐day ride in Criollo horses. Heritability (h2) and maternal lineage effects (mt2) were obtained for rank, a relative placing measure of performance. Additive genetic and maternal lineage (rmt) correlations among five medium‐to‐high intensity phase ranks (pRK) and final rank (RK) were also estimated. Individual records from 1,236 Criollo horses from 1979 to 2012 were used. A multivariate threshold animal model was applied to the pRK and RK. Heritability was moderate to low (0.156–0.275). Estimates of mt2 were consistently low (0.04–0.06). Additive genetic correlations between individual pRK and RK were high (0.801–0.924), and the genetic correlations between individual pRKs ranged from 0.763 to 0.847. The pRK heritabilities revealed that some phases were explained by a greater additive component, whereas others showed stronger genetic relationships with RK. Thus, not all pRK may be considered as similar measures of performance in competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the management of axilla in breast cancer treatment. Reasons for the axillary-lymph-node dissection (ALND); Sentinel-node biopsy as an alternative to ALND; Issues needing clarification in biopsies; Facts to consider in staging the disease with the biopsy; Sentinel-node biopsy being expensive and time consuming.

Lymphadenopathy is common, affecting patients of all ages. The current referral pattern for investigating patients with lymphadenopathy varies widely with no universally practised pathway. Our institution set up a lymph node diagnostic clinic (LNDC) accepting direct referrals from primary care physicians. Details of clinical presentation and investigations were recorded prospectively. Between December 1996 and July 2001, 550 patients were referred (M: 203; F:347). The median age was 40 years (range 14-90). The median time between initial referral and the first clinic visit was 6 days. Of 95 patients diagnosed to have malignant diseases, the median time from the first clinic visit to reaching malignant diagnosis was 15 days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified five significant predictors for malignant nodes: male gender (risk ratio (RR)=2.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.63-4.56), increasing age (RR=1.05; 95% CI: 1.04-1.07), white ethnicity (RR=3.01; 95% CI: 1.19-7.6) and sites of lymph nodes: supraclavicular region (RR=3.72; 95% CI: 1.52-9.12) and > or = 2 regions of lymph nodes (RR=6.41; 95% CI: 2.82-14.58). Ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration cytology of palpable lymph nodes were performed in 154 and 289 patients, respectively. An accuracy of 97 and 84% was found, respectively. In conclusion, a multidisciplinary lymph node diagnostic clinic enables a rapid, concerted approach to a common medical problem and patients with malignant diseases were diagnosed in a timely fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of ipsilateral local recurrence within a conserved breast depends on the micrometastatic environment at the time of initial clinical presentation. In the absence of micrometastases, local recurrence would be a determinant of distant disease; however, in the presence of micrometastases, it represents a marker of distant relapse. Maximum locoregional treatment at primary diagnosis would be appropriate in the former group, whereas minimum treatment would be sufficient in the latter group, with full treatment prescribed at the time of local recurrence. As an indicator of poor prognosis, the presence of local recurrence permits a more selective approach to therapies that would otherwise result in overtreatment for some patients. We, therefore propose a trial that compares conventional treatment with minimum therapy at presentation plus maximum therapy at local relapse in postmenopausal women with small tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As clarithromycin (CLA), an antibiotic commonly used for Helicobacter pylori eradication, stimulates gastroduodenal motility, we investigated whether it also stimulates esophageal motility. In 15 normal subjects, esophageal motility was recorded using a low-compliance manometric system with two ports in the esophageal body, one port in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and five ports in the antroduodenal tract to monitor the occurrence of phases I–III of the migrating motor complex. Thirty minutes after the occurrence of a duodenal phase III, we infused intravenously, randomly, and in a double-blind manner, CLA 100 mg in five subjects (group A), CLA 250 mg in five subjects (group B), and normal saline in the remaining five subjects (group C). LES tone and post-deglutitive residual pressure, as well as the amplitude and duration of the esophageal contractions, were measured each minute and averaged over a post-infusion period of 30 min. Both group A and B showed a LES tone significantly higher than that of group C after CLA infusion, whereas the post-deglutitive residual pressure was not significantly different from that of group C. The LES tone of group B was significantly higher than that of group A. Group B, but not group A, showed a wave amplitude and duration significantly higher than that of group C. In conclusion, CLA is able to stimulate LES tone and esophageal contractions with a dose-related effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine T-zone lymphoma (TZL) is a peculiar lymphoma subtype characterized by an indolent clinical course and aberrant CD45-negative phenotype, commonly recognized by flow cytometry (FC). Recent studies have described clinical presentation and behavior, but to date the mechanisms behind the loss of CD45 protein expression have never been investigated. The aims of this study were: 1) to confirm the absence of CD45 in canine TZL via the concomitant use of FC and immunohistochemistry with two different sources of antibody; and 2) to investigate the amount of CD45 transcript and the presence of CD45 gene in the neoplastic cells of dogs affected by TZL. 57 lymph node aspirates were included in the present study: 40 (70.2%) TZLs, 7 (12.3%) high grade T-cell lymphomas and 10 (17.5%) reactive lymph nodes. Neoplastic cells and normal T-cells were isolated from TZL and reactive lymph nodes, respectively, via cell sorting. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 2 TZL, 2 reactive lymph nodes and 2 Peripheral T-cell Lymphomas. Total RNA and genomic DNA were extracted from lymph-nodes aspirates. Two different quantitative real-time PCR experiments were designed, to determine the amount of the CD45 transcript and of the corresponding gene fragment. All TZL cases were negative for CD45 at immunohistochemistry. CD45 transcript amount was significantly lower in TZL compared to controls (p < 0.001). This difference was not significant (p = 0.584) for CD45 DNA load, that was similar between TZL and controls. Moreover, CD45 transcript amount was inversely correlated with the percentage of neoplastic cells in each TZL sample (p = 0.010). These results confirm that CD45 protein is lacking on cell surface irrespective of the technique and antibody source adopted. This phenotypic aberrancy is apparently due to the absence of gene transcription, as CD45 DNA was present, whereas CD45 transcript was virtually absent in the neoplastic cells. The data here reported support further studies investigating possible factors impairing CD45 gene transcription. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the responses of different retinal ganglion cell (RGC) populations to diverse injuries and protection with selective agonists of the tropomyosin related kinase B (TrkB) receptor, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or 7,8‐dihydroxyflavone (DHF). Methods: Adult Sprague–Dawley rats were used. A first group had their left eye connected to a saline reservoir elevated 1.5 meters above the eye to produce an acute ocular hypertension (AOH) and induce transient ischemia for 75 minutes, these were analysed at 3, 7, 14 or 45 days (d) (n = 9–14 for each survival interval). A second group received an intraocular injection of 100 mM N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) to induce retinal excitotoxicity and was analysed at 3, 7, 14d or 15 months (n = 7–11 for each survival interval). A third group received a left intraorbital optic nerve transection (IONT) to induce axotomy of the RGC population, these were analysed at 7, 10, 14, 21, 30 or 60d (n = 8 for each survival interval). The first group of rats received right after AOH a single intravitreal injection of 5 μl vehicle (1% Albumin in PBS) or 5 μg BDNF. Rats of the third group were treated daily with an intraperitoneal injection of vehicle (0.9% NaCl containing 1% DMSO) or DHF (5 mg/kg diluted in vehicle), while rats of the second group were untreated. The retinas were prepared as wholemounts and immunolabelled with Brn3a and melanopsin (m) antibodies to identify Brn3a+RGCs and m+RGCs, respectively. Wholemount image reconstructions were photographed; labelled RGCs were quantified and their distribution evaluated with isodensity or neighbour maps. Results: AOH with vehicle treatment results in rapid progressive loss of Brn3a+RGCs and in significant but not progressive loss of m+RGCs; BDNF treatment afforded significant prevention which was long‐lasting for both RGC populations. Intravitreal NMDA resulted at 7d in the abrupt loss of 74% of the Brn3a+RGC population but it did not progress further. The m+RGC population showed a significant diminution by 3d that recovered to control values by 7d and did not vary thereafter. IONT with vehicle treatment resulted in typical losses of RGCs that by 14d amounted to 80% or 64% of the Brn3a+ or m+RGC population, respectively. Brn3a+RGCs further decreased up to 60d whereas m+RGCs did not, so that the proportion of surviving m+RGCs was ≈five times that of Brn3a+RGCs, further showing their resilience to IONT. Systemic administration of DHF prevented Brn3a+RGC losses up to 21d while for m+RGCs such prevention was permanent. Conclusions: Our studies document that: (i) AOH induces progressive loss of Brn3a+RGCs but not of m+RGCs, and both populations respond to TrkB‐mediated protection; (ii) NMDA induced excitotoxicity results in rapid loss of Brn3a+RGCs, whereas m+RGCs survived for up to 15 months later; (iii) IONT and vehicle treatment result in characteristic rapid loss of Brn3a and melanopsin RGCs, whereas DHF treatment affords protection of axotomized RGCs. This protection is maximal at 7d and significant until 21d for Brn3a+RGCs, whereas for m+RGCs the protection was significant at 14d and permanent. Thus, two different RGC populations (Brn3a+ and m+) respond distinctly to injury and TrkB‐mediated protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeding goals for a dairy herd were developed by combining several of the traits of greatest economic impact on dairy farms; and a selection criterion based on the information available from genetic evaluations. A theoretical production system of 250 cows with a mean adult liveweight of 570 kg each, producing 5 000 L of milk, 173 kg of fat, and 163 kg of protein in 305 d was simulated. Feeding was based on grazing sown pastures, plus silage (maize and sorghum) and supplemental maize grain. The derivation of economic values of traits in the breeding goal was accomplished using a profit equation; and discounted expressions. Six scenarios were simulated by combining the proposed alternatives in concentrate feed costs {three levels: initial model (MI) (no change), MI + 20% and MI -20%} and product prices (two levels: ratios of protein/fat price of 1.33:1 and 2:1). Economic values generated by the base model were: - 0.045, 0.849, 1.412, and - 0.047 US$ kg-1 animal-1 for milk, fat, protein, and liveweight, respectively; they followed the same trend upon applying the remaining scenarios, and were sensitive to variations in costs and revenues. The selection index coefficients derived were -0.0477, 0.8317, and 1.4394 for additive genetic values of milk production, fat and protein, respectively. These coefficients were highly correlated with the objective under all six scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on breeding objectives for pasture-bred Uruguayan beef cattle. Definition of breeding systems; Identification of the beef cattle production systems; Recommendations on the multi-trait objectives for Uruguayan beef cattle.

Gilthead sea bream (GSB) (Sparus aurata) have been generally considered to be resistant to viral encephalo-retinopathy. However, the recent increase of the number of outbreaks in sea bream hatcheries caused by nervous necrosis virus (NNV) called RGNNV/SJNNV, a reassortant virus, has encouraged researchers to investigate the disease pathogenesis in this species, with particular emphasis on fish age. For this purpose, experimental challenges of juveniles and larvae were carried out. Four experimental trials were performed by infecting GSB of different ages with the RGNNV/SJNNV virus: juveniles of 7 g of weight and larvae of 70, 35 and 21 days post hatch (dph). Virological, histological and immunohistochemical analysis, as well as qualitative and quantitative real time PCR at different time points post infection (pi) were performed. ELISA test for antibody detection was also implemented, where applicable. Overall results showed that the gilthead seabream larvae are susceptible to RGNNV/SJNNV infection irrespective to the age, as proved by the massive viral replication detected by quantitative RT-PCR and the massive presence of immunoprecipitates in the nervous tissues evidenced by immunohistochemistry. However, clear clinical signs and mortality were observed only in the youngest group of 21-dph larvae. The viral kinetics investigations led to think that the efficiency of RGNNV/SJNNV replication was higher in 21dph larvae compared to the older ones, which in turn correlated with the disease outcome. Most likely the latter was related to the developmental stage of the immune system. Noteworthy survivors were always tested negative for the presence of specific antibodies. The identification of the factors governing the host ability to control viral replication, or conversely those inhibiting the virus in older fish will be crucial to better understand the disease pathogenesis in this species. Notably, despite the age and the disease outcome of the infection, GSB remained persistently infected for a long time, even up to one year, becoming asymptomatic carriers. • Only sea bream larvae younger than 35 days post-hatch showed clinical signs and mortality after bath infection • Massive viral replication was detected in sea beam larvae of all ages despite the absence of clinical signs • Infected sea bream tested positive for RGNNV/SJNNV in the brain for about 1 year • No seroconversion was detected by ELISA test in survivors [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]