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Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of transesophogeal echocardiography (TEE) for detecting cardiac damage after blunt chest trauma (BCT). Background: Multiple methods have been used to detect cardiac damage after a BCT, but none has been demonstrated to be sensitive, specific, and feasible enough. Methods: This multicenter prospective trial was designed to evaluate the usefulness of TEE in the assessment of patients with BCT and to compare the TEE findings with those provided by the electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac isoenzymes assay. One hundred seventeen consecutive patients with a significant BCT were enrolled. A TEE was performed in each patient. Serial ECGs and plasma profiles of creatine kinase (CK) and CK-monoclonal antibody (MB) were obtained. Results: Sixty-six (56%) patients had pathologic findings in the TEE attributed to the BCT (group A). In the remaining 51 (44%) patients the TEE was normal (group B). An abnormal ECG was more frequent in group A (59% vs 24%; p < 0.001), and the serum CK-MB peak level was also higher in group A (174 +/- 30 U/L vs 93 +/- 21 U/L; p = 0.05). Relative to pathologic TEE findings, the sensitivity and specificity of an abnormal ECG were 59% and 73% and of high CK-MB with CK-MB/CK >5% were 64% and 52%, respectively. Conclusions: We conclude that TEE can be routinely and safely performed for diagnosing cardiac injuries after a BCT and plays an important role in the evaluation and treatment of these patients. EGG and CK-MB assay are not good methods for detecting cardiac damage in this setting. (Am Heart J 1998;135:476-81.)

AbstractThe aim of the present research was to evidence the possible differences among 5 AGTs [Agerolese (AG), Burlina (BU), Bianca Val Padana (BVP), Garfagnina (GAR), Reggiana (RE)] in the values of kinetic parameters of the sperm cell, at collection; totally, the study was carried out on 19 bulls distributed according to genetic type as follows: 7 AG, 3 BU, 3 BVP, 3 GAR and 3 RE. A total of 73 samplings were carried out with a mean of 4 for bull. The following parameters were evaluated through computerized sperm analysis system (Hamilton Thorne Biosciences - IVOS) which uses appropriate algorithms: (a) Path Velocity(VAP, µm/sec) that estimates the progressive average position of the head in the observation field, hence the velocity of the average sperm path; (b) Progressive velocity(VSL, µm/sec) that estimates the velocity of the sperm between the beginning and the end of the track performed according to a straight line; (c) Track speed(VCL, µm/sec) that estimates the curvilinear velocity; (d) Straigthness(STR = VSL/VAP, %) that estimates the deviation of the sperm path from a straight line; (e) Beat Cross Frequency(BCF, Hz) that estimates the frequency with which a sperm, in its sinusoidal trend, cuts the mesor, considering a point of crossing as beginning of the inversion of the two phases; it is considered as final value equal to twice the frequency necessary to run through the whole wave; (f) Linearity(LIN = VSL/VCL,%) that estimates the deviation of the sperm track from a straight line; (g) Lateral Amplitude Head Displacement(ALH, µm) that estimates the mean amplitude width of the head oscillations as sperm swims; (h) Elongation(ELON, %) that estimates the ratio of head width to head length of the sperm (ELON 75 %); (i) Area(µm2), that estimates the mean head size of the sperm. The values of the parameters furnished by IVOS were corrected for the age of the bull at collection. The significance of the differences among the estimated means was tested by Student’s ttest. The results, valid within the limits of the observation field, evidenced the significance (P> 0.05÷P> 0.001) among genetic types for the following parameters: (a)VAP in comparison with BU and BVP, BU and GAR as well as BVP and RE; (b)VSL in the comparison between AG and BVP, BU and BVP, BVP and RE as well as BU and GAR; (c)VCL in the comparison between AG and BVP, BU and BVP and BU and GAR; (d)ALH in the comparison between AG and BVP, BU and BVP as well as BVP and RE; (e)STR in the comparison between BVP and RE as well as GAR and RE; (f)BCF in the comparison between AG and RE, BU and RE as well as BVP and RE; (g)LIN in the comparison between AG and BVP alone; (h)ELON in the comparison between BVP and RE alone; (i)‘Area’ in the comparison between AG and GAR as well as BVP and GAR. Considering all the parameters and all the possible comparisons among the AGTs, around 21 % of the comparisons among the AGTs resulted significant. The results evidenced that the correlation among some of the considered parameters, was significant (P>0.05 ÷P>0.001). In conclusion, the AGT is an important source of variation of the sperm characteristics; therefore, further research would be necessary to underline possible differences among the bulls within the AGT too, in order to obtain useful directions in the choice of the bull destined to the instrumental insemination, as integral element of the genetic value of a breed animal.

AbstractThe research was carried out with the aim to underline possible differences among 5 AGTs [Agerolese (AG), Burlina (BU), Bianca Val Padana (BVP), Garfagnina (GAR) and Reggiana (RE] in the comparison among the values of some kinetic parameters of the sperm liquid analyzed at collection and after a variable cryoconservation period in liquid nitrogen; totally, 18 bulls were examined distributed for genetic type as follows: 6 AG, 3 BU, 3 BVP, 2 GAR and 4 RE. The meaning of the parameters were explained in the note 1.The values of the parameters furnished by the IVOS were corrected for the age of the bull at collection and for cryoconservation period and then compared within the bull. The results were analyzed according to the following model:Yij = µ + TGAi+ Tj+ TGA*Tij+ eijwhere: µ = constant common to all the observations (general average); TGAi= fixed effect common to all the observations related to the ithautochtonous genetic type (n = 1,2,3,4,5); Tj= fixed effect common to all the observations related to the jthtreatment (n =1,2); eij= random error and/or effects not explained. The results are valid within the limits of the observation field. From the linear model it resulted as follows: (a)for the ‘AGT’ factor, the following parameters were significant (P>0.05÷P> 0.001): (i) Path Velocity(VAP), the velocity of the average path of the sperm (µm/sec); (ii) Progressive velocity(VSL), the velocity of the sperm between the beginning and the end of the track along a straight line (µm/sec); (iii) Track speed(VCL), curvilinear velocity (µm/sec); (iv)Beat Cross Frequency (BCF), the frequency with which a sperm, in its sinusoidal trend, cuts the mesor, considering a point of crossing as beginning of the inversion of the two phases; it is considered as final value equal to twice the frequency necessary to run through the whole wave (Hz); (b)for the ‘T’ factor, the following parameters were significant (P>0.05÷P> 0.001): (i) Path Velocity(VAP), the velocity of the average path of the sperm (µm/sec); (ii) Progressive velocity(VSL), the velocity of the sperm between the beginning and the end of the track along a straight line (µm/sec); (iii) Track speed(VCL), curvilinear velocity (µm/sec); (iv) Linearity(LIN), the deviation of the sperm track from a straight line (VSL/VCL,%); (v) Elongation(ELON), the ratio of head width to head length of the sperm; (c)for ‘AGT-T’ interaction, the following parameters were significant (P>0.05÷P>0.001): (i) Progressive velocity(VSL), the velocity of the sperm between the beginning and the end of the track performed according to a straight line (µm/sec); (ii) Lateral Amplitude Head Displacement(ALH), the mean amplitude width of the head oscillations as sperm swims (µm); (iii) Linearity(LIN), the deviation of the sperm track from a straight line (VSL/VCL,%); (iv) Elongation(ELON), the ratio of head width to head length of the sperm. In conclusion, the AGT, as already evidenced in the two previous notes (Matassino et al.2007aand b), is almost always an important and significant factor of variation; the same conclusion may be made as regards the semen treatment ‘(fresh-thawed)’ factor; furthermore, the different behaviour of AGT in relation to the treatment is interesting. These first results suggest the utility to know some behaviours of the sperm in order to improve the efficiency in the choice of a breed animal destined to the instrumental insemination, fundamental tool to increase the speed of the genetic improvement in a vision, also, of reproductive expansion of a genetically superior sire.

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evidence possible differences among 7 AGTs [Agerolese (AG), Burlina (BU), Bianca Val Padana (BVP), Garfagnina (GAR), Modicana (MOD), Reggiana (RE) and Varzese-Ottonese-Tortonese (VOT)] in the value of kinetic parameters of the sperm cell estimated after a variable period of cryoconservation in liquid nitro-gen; totally, the research was carried on 46 bulls distributed according to genetic type as follows: 14 AG, BU, BVP, GAR, 2 MOD, 8 RE and 2 VOT. A total of 235 analyses were performed with a mean of 5 for bull. The meaning of the parameters were explained in the note 1.The values of the parameters furnished by the IVOS were corrected for the age of the bull at collection and for the cryoconservation period. The significance of the differences among the estimated means was tested by Student’s ttest. The results, valid within the limits of the observation field, evidenced the significance (P> 0.05÷P> 0.001) among genetic types for the following parameters: (a)VAP in the comparison between BU and VOT alone; (b)VCL in the comparison between AG and VOT, BU and VOT as well as GAR and VOT; (c)ALH in the comparison between AG and BVP, AG and VOT, BVP and GAR, GAR and MOD as well as GAR and VOT; (d)BCF in the comparison between GAR and VOT alone; (e)LIN in the comparison between BU and GAR, BVP and GAR as well as RE and GAR; (f)‘Area’ only in the comparison between RE and BU; (g)VCL in the comparison between AG and VOT, BU and BVP, BU and MOD, BU and VOT as well as RE and VOT; (h)STR in the comparison between RE and GAR alone (i)ELON in the comparison between AG and BU, BU and VOT as well as MOD and VOT. Considering all the parameters and all the possible comparisons among the AGTs, around 18 % of the comparisons among the AGTs resulted significant. Furthermore, the results evidenced that the correlation among some of the considered parameters, was significant (P> 0.05 ÷ P> 0.001). In conclusion, as already evidenced in the evaluation of the sperm characteristics on the ‘fresh’ ‘semen’, also at thawing out, the AGT plays a significant role in the estimation of the sperm kinetic parameters determined by computerized analysis.

AbstractCalcium Release Channel (CRC) is a “candidateDNA segment encoding protein (gene)” of high interest for pork quality. It maps on the short arm of chromosome 6 and has two allelic forms: N(normal dominant allele) and n[mutated recessive allele, also known as “halothane sensitivity”allele (Haln)]. Halnis due to a point mutation (SNP, single nucleotide polymorphism) which consists in the transition of a thymine nucleotide base for a cytosine at position 1843 in the 134 bp exon, responsible for the synthesis of a protein containing a substitution of an “arginine”for a “cysteine”at position 615; in the muscle fiber this substitution induces anomalies in the calcium flow regulation at sarcoplasmic reticulum level (ionic calcium deregulation). This deregulation in pig species is manifested as PSS (Porcine Stress Syndrome). Meat of PSS animals displays PSE (Pale Soft Exudative) myopathy, which makes meat less acceptable to consumer and poorly suitable to transformation in products of a good quality. The individuation of the point mutation allowed to set up a fast and efficient “genetic prophylaxis”test based on the genotype determination at CRC locusin order to detect heterozygous carriers of mutated allele and their incidence. In fact, the halothane test does not distinguish between the heterozygous (Nn) and homozygous normal (NN) animals, because both of these genotypes are non reactive. Furthermore, some nn subjects are halothane negative due to incomplete penetrance. In order to individuate the possible presence of mutated allele within Casertana (CT) and Calabrese (CA) AAGTs, a genetic screening was performed on 110 subjects of CT AAGT and 40 CA AAGT pigs, reared at ConSDABI experimental farm, using PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Fragment Lenght Polymorphisms) method (Russo et al., 1993). The results showed that all Casertana AAGT pigs were NN (100%) while in AAGT Calabrese the frequencies of NN and Nn genotypes were 75% and 25% respectively. No nn genotype was found in the tested animals. It is opportune to specify that familiar relationships exist between Calabrese subjects, due to the reduced consistency of pig population. These results, valid within the observation field, confirm what found in a previous research (Matassino et al., 2000), in which Casertana was different from Calabrese and Nero Siciliano AAGTs for genotypic frequencies values: NN: 100,0% vs65,5% vs93,9%, respectively.

AbstractThe aim of the present research was to characterize two pig ancient autochthonous genetic types (AAGT) [Casertana (CT) and Calabrese (CA)] at H-FABP (Heart- Fatty Acid Binding Protein) locias well as to evaluate the associations of qualitative and quantitative meat traits. H-FABP is a candidate DNA segment coding protein (gene) for intramuscular fat depot (IMF). The identification of haplotypes suitable for IMF may represent a valid tool for molecular assisted selection (MAS) to improve meat qualitative traits functional to human well being and welfare. Genotyping was performed on 150 pigs (100 CT and 50 CA) reared at ConSDABI Experimental Farm by PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction – Restriction Fragment Lenght Polymorphism) method. Three diallelic point mutations were investigated: one located in a 700 bp sequence in the 5’upstream region (HinfI restriction site) and two in a 850 bp sequence, about 300 bp apart, located in intron 2 (HaeIII and MspI restriction sites, respectively) of the H-FABP DNA segment; in total, these mutations map in a region of about 7.000 bp and may define a three locus haplotype. Some qualitative characteristics (colour and rheological traits) were detected on Psoas Major, Longissimus dorsi, Caput longum tricipitis brachiiand Supraspinatusmuscles of 59 CT and 50 CA.Experimental data were analyzed using carcass weight as covariate (SAS package) and the significance of comparisons between the estimated mean values was tested by Student’s ttest. 27 possible haplotypes taking into account the diallelic polymorphism of each locus were calculated. The results, in the limits of the observation field, showed some haplotypes ‘AAGT- exclusive’[3 in Casertana (HHDdAA; HHDDAa; HHddaa) and 2 in Calabrese (hhddAA; hhddaa)] and a different incidence of the common haplotypes: in CT the most frequent was HHddAa (38%) while in CA was HhddAa (22%). The relation between genetic structure of H-FABP lociand quanti-qualitative characteristics of meat evidenced the association between H-FABP lociand fatty traits. CA carriers of HhddAa haplotype evidenced a significant higher backfat weight (19.11 kg) in comparison with carriers of HHddaa haplotype which showed the lower fatness (6.35 kg); furthermore, the former haplotype also affected the fatness in other cuts (jowl and belly). Animals with the hhddAA haplotype evidenced a higher thickness of backfat at shoulder level (79.41 mm), while HhddAa showed the lowest value in the Calabrese AAGT. A different chromatic behavior of meat was observed in relation to both muscle type and haplotype. In Casertana, meat of HHDdAA carriers was lighter as consequence of the highest lightness value (43.44; P<0.05) while in Calabrese the HHDdAa haplotype was associated with a higher lightness value (45.84; P<0.05). The statistical analysis did not evidence associations between haplotype and dissection data.