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This project analysed the DNA extracted from bones of ancient sheep which have been brought to light in Sardinian different archaeological sites. In order to better analyse this highly fragmented DNA, a double amplification technique was chosen. The first approach consisted of RAPD-PCR and the second one in classic PCR. The RAPD-PCR amplified random fragments and allowed the production of numerous amplicons. The products of RAPD amplification have been amplified, more specifically, by the second PCR using primers for a sequence of 176 bp of mitochondrial D-loop region. These DNA fragments have been sequenced and the sequence analysis has confirmed that it belonged to Ovis aries. Consequently, this procedure can be considered a valid tool to perform amplification of degraded DNA, such as ancient DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on a study which examined the different lesions discovered in the skulls of mistreated dogs found at the bottom of the holy well of Santu Antinu near Genoni in Sardinia, Italy under examination by means of a computed tomography (CT) scan. Topics discussed include the features and seriousness of the traumas in the skulls.

The mechanism of conversion of the normal prion protein (PrPC) into aggregates of its pathological conformer (PrPSc) reamins unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects induced by exposure of biological samples containing PrPSC to a magnetic field induced prominent molecular changes of samples indicated by the IR spectra located in the region that contains contribution primarily from absorption of amides. This finding suggests the existence of a strong correlation between magnetism and PrPsc and supports a new hypothesis that explains the conversion of normal PrPc to abnormal isoform PrPsc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]