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• Eight Belgian sheep breeds were analysed based on pedigree and genotype data. • Effective population sizes were between 15 and 24 for all breeds. • Inbreeding coefficients based on runs of homozygosity were between 4.1% and 8.5% • All breeds were compared to 95 international sheep breeds. • The eight sheep breeds are considered endangered. Assessing the genetic diversity of local breeds is essential for conserving these unique breeds, which may possess unique traits. This study provides the genomic characterisation of eight indigenous sheep breeds in Belgium based on pedigree and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. A total of 687 sheep were genotyped and were subjected to a rigorous quality control, resulting in a set of 45 978 autosomal SNPs. Pedigree analysis showed breed-average inbreeding estimates between 3.3% and 11.3%. The genomic analysis included an assessment of runs of homozygosity (ROH) to examine the genomic inbreeding coefficient, with breed-average inbreeding coefficients estimated between 4.1% and 8.5%. Runs of homozygosity islands were identified in six of the eight breeds studied, with some exhibiting an incidence of up to 58%. Interestingly, several ROH islands overlapped with other breeds included in this study, as well as with international sheep breeds. Pedigree-based effective population sizes were estimated below 100 for all breeds, whereas genomic-based effective population sizes were below 24, indicating that these eight local sheep breeds are endangered. Principal component analysis, admixture analyses, and F st computations were used to study the population structure and genetic differences. A neighbour−joining tree using 95 international sheep breeds positioned the eight local breeds in the group of milksheep, Texel sheep and the Scandinavian breeds. Additionally, the investigation of paternal oY1 genotypes revealed diverse lineage origins within the Belgian sheep population. This study refines and deepens our knowledge about the local sheep breeds in Belgium, thereby improving their management and conservation. Moreover, as these breeds are linked to other international breeds, these insights are significant for the global scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the world's leading cause of morbidity and mortality. An active lifestyle is one of the cornerstones in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. An initial step in guiding primary prevention programs is to refer to clinical guidelines. We aimed to systematically review clinical practice guidelines on primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and their recommendations regarding physical activity. Methods: We systematically searched Trip Medical Database, PubMed and Guidelines International Network from January 2012 up to December 2020 using the following search strings: 'cardiovascular disease', 'prevention', combined with specific cardiovascular disease risk factors. The identified records were screened for relevance and content. We methodologically assessed the selected guidelines using the AGREE II tool. Recommendations were summarized using a consensus-developed extraction form. Results: After screening, 27 clinical practice guidelines were included, all of which were developed in Western countries and showed consistent rigor of development. Guidelines were consistent about the benefit of regular, moderate-intensity, aerobic physical activity. However, recommendations on strategies to achieve and sustain behavior change varied. Multicomponent interventions, comprising education, counseling and self-management support, are recommended to be delivered by various providers in primary health care or community settings. Guidelines advise to embed patient-centered care and behavioral change techniques in prevention programs. Conclusions: Current clinical practice guidelines recommend similar PA lifestyle advice and propose various delivery models to be considered in the design of such interventions. Guidelines identify a gap in evidence on the implementation of these recommendations into practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The signal transduction pathways and control mechanisms involved in IgE-mediated basophil activation remain incompletely understood. Objectives To investigate whether basophilic intracellular signal transduction and immunophenotype can be analysed simultaneously by flow cytometry. Methods Basophils in whole blood were stimulated with anti-IgE and latex antigen at various concentrations and during different time courses. Phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) as a representative of the intracellular signal transduction pathway and surface expression of CD63 was assessed simultaneously flow cytometrically. The effect of pre-incubation with IL-3 was assessed. Results Stimulation of the basophils with anti-IgE and allergen induces a rapid phosphorylation of p38 MAPK that peaks between 1 and 5 min and returns to baseline levels after 60 min. In contrast, CD63 up-regulation demonstrates a maximal but more continuous expression that peaks approximately 5 min later than phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Specific inhibition of p38 MAPK reduced or almost completely abrogated up-regulation of CD63. Pre-incubation of the basophils with IL-3 produces a rapid p38 MAPK phosphorylation over basal levels, but this was weaker and shorter than for anti-IgE stimulation. Pre-incubation of the basophils with IL-3 did not potentiate anti-IgE-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and did affect spontaneous or IgE-mediated CD63 up-regulation. Conclusions This study provides the proof that the flow cytometer allows an integrated analysis of basophilic intracellular signalling and immunophenotyping. Owing to its technical simplicity, the low number of cells required and rapid analysis, the technique seems promising for use in the clinic as a diagnostic tool or to monitor therapy. Capsule summary This study is the first to provide evidence for a combined analysis of basophilic intracellular signalling and immunophenotyping by flow cytometry. Owing to its technical simplicity, the low number of cells required and rapid analysis, the technique seems promising for use in the clinic as a diagnostic tool or to monitor therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]