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Summary: In the present study, a sample of 88 animals belonging to four local (Modicana, Sarda, Sardo‐Bruna and Sardo‐Modicana) and one cosmopolitan (Italian Brown Swiss) cattle breeds were genotyped with a medium density SNP beadchip and compared to investigate their genetic diversity and the existence of selection signatures. A total of 43 012 SNPs distributed across all 29 autosomal chromosomes were retained after data quality control. Basic population statistics, Wright fixation index and runs of homozygosity (ROH) analyses confirmed that the Italian Brown Swiss genome was shaped mainly by selection, as underlined by the low values of heterozygosity and minor allele frequency. As expected, local cattle exhibited a large within‐breed genetic heterogeneity. The FST comparison revealing the largest number of significant SNPs was Sardo‐Bruna vs. Sardo‐Modicana, whereas the smallest was observed for Italian Brown Swiss vs. Sardo‐Modicana. Modicana exhibited the largest number of detected ROHs, whereas the smallest was observed for Sardo‐Modicana. Signatures of selection were detected in genomic regions that harbor genes involved in milk production traits for Italian Brown Swiss and fitness traits for local breeds. According to the results of multi‐dimensional scaling and the admixture analysis the Sardo‐Bruna is more similar to the Sarda than to the Italian Brown Swiss breed. Moreover, the Sardo‐Modicana is genetically closer to the Modicana than to the Sarda breed. Results of the present work confirm the usefulness of single nucleotide polymorphisms in deciphering the genetic architecture of livestock breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italy counts several sheep breeds, arisen over centuries as a consequence of ancient and recent genetic and demographic events. To finely reconstruct genetic structure and relationships between Italian sheep, 496 subjects from 19 breeds were typed at 50K single nucleotide polymorphism loci. A subset of foreign breeds from the Sheep HapMap dataset was also included in the analyses. Genetic distances (as visualized either in a network or in a multidimensional scaling analysis of identical by state distances) closely reflected geographic proximity between breeds, with a clear north-south gradient, likely because of high levels of past gene flow and admixture all along the peninsula. Sardinian breeds diverged more from other breeds, a probable consequence of the combined effect of ancient sporadic introgression of feral mouflon and long-lasting genetic isolation from continental sheep populations. The study allowed the detection of previously undocumented episodes of recent introgression (Delle Langhe into the endangered Altamurana breed) as well as signatures of known, or claimed, historical introgression (Merino into Sopravissana and Gentile di Puglia; Bergamasca into Fabrianese, Appenninica and, to a lesser extent, Leccese). Arguments that would question, from a genomic point of view, the current breed classification of Bergamasca and Biellese into two separate breeds are presented. Finally, a role for traditional transhumance practices in shaping the genetic makeup of Alpine sheep breeds is proposed. The study represents the first exhaustive analysis of Italian sheep diversity in an European context, and it bridges the gap in the previous HapMap panel between Western Mediterranean and Swiss breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of genetic diversity and the genetic relationships among western Mediterranean horse breeds were investigated using microsatellite markers. The examined sample included seven Spanish and three Italian local horse breeds and populations, plus a Spanish Thoroughbred outgroup. The total number of animals examined was 682 (on average 62 animals per breed; range 20–122). The microsatellite marker set analysed provided 128 alleles (10.7 alleles per locus). Within-breed genetic diversity was always high (>0.70), with breeds contributing about 8% of the total genetic variability. The mean molecular coancestry of the entire population examined was 0.205, Losino being the breed that contributed most. In addition to Nei's standard and Reynolds’ genetic distances, pair-wise kinship distance and molecular coancestry were estimated. Remarkably similar breed rankings were obtained with all methods. Clustering analysis provided an accurate representation of the current genetic relationships among the breeds. Determining coancestry is useful for analysing genetic diversity distribution between and within breeds and provides a good framework for jointly analysing molecular markers and pedigree information. An integrated analysis was undertaken to obtain information on the population dynamics in western Mediterranean native horse populations, and to better determine conservation priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic variation at four milk protein lociαs1-casein (CSN1S1),β-casein (CSN2),κ-casein (CSN3) andβ-lactoglobulin (LGB) was investigated in 358 animals belonging to seven populations well adapted to hot climatic conditions, reared in Africa and Italy.Bos taurus(Somba, Lagune and Modicana),Bos indicus(Sudanese Zebu Peul, Azaouak and Adamawa), andB. taurus × B. indicus(Borgou) were studied by adapting different molecular methodologies to evaluate their genetic variability. All loci were polymorphic and a newCSN2synonymous variant, namedA2′, was detected and characterized. Noteworthy differences in the distribution of alleles and haplotypes were observed between zebuine and taurine cattle showing that milk protein polymorphism is suited for discriminatingB. taurusfromB. indicusefficiently, and also taurine breeds. Milk protein loci, being positively selected loci, can also provide information about the occurrence of germplasm particularly useful for breeding strategies and production improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we surveyed two endangered Sicilian goat breeds (Girgentana and Argentata dell'Etna) for genetic polymorphism at the CSN1S2 locus. In a total of 537 goats, we detected CSN1S2A, CSN1S2B, CSN1S2C° (CSN1S2C + CSN1S2E), CSN1S2D, CSN1S2F and CSN1S2O alleles by means of various polymerase chain reaction (PCR), allele specific-PCR (AS –PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) reactions with the aim of improving the knowledge of the genetic resource of these two breeds. Three and five alleles, with six and twelve genotypes, were identified at CSN1S2 locus, in Girgentana and Argentata, respectively. Argentata dell'Etna showed a higher degree of genetic variation. The allelic and genotypic distribution seems to be significantly different (p < 0.001) in the two breeds. In Argentata the rare null allele (CSN1S2O) was found at low frequency (0.033); this genetic peculiarity makes its preservation worthwhile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of SNPs was performed using animals from eight European sheep breeds. Eleven SNPs were further characterized using about 1700 sheep belonging to 57 breeds. A method for the identification of loci that were likely subject to selection was applied; three of the 11 SNPs lying outside the 95% confidence region of the conditional joint distribution of FST and mean heterozygosity were identified as outliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a major concern for the near future and for livestock breeding. Cattle breeding, due to its greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the most implicated industries. Consequently, the main future goals are to breed animals resilient to climate change, with the aim of lowering the livestock impact on the environment and selecting animals that will be able to resist different, unsuitable, and changing climates. The aim of this literature review is to compare the most recent studies on the response and adaptation of beef cattle breeds to extreme environments, in terms of genes and pathways involved. Beef breeding is just starting to implement genomics in its selection plans, and shedding light on the genomic responses to extreme climates could speed up and simplify the adaptation of these breeds to climate change. This review discusses the genes involved in climatic stress responses, including those related to extremely cold climates, in beef and dual-purpose cattle breeds. Genes were associated with productive traits, coat and skin structure and development, thermotolerance, cellular physiology and DNA repair mechanisms, immune system, and fertility traits. The knowledge of genes and pathways involved in climate resilience should be taken into consideration for further selection in beef cattle breeding and could promote the valorization of local breeds adapted to extreme environmental conditions. The use of local or resilient breeds could enhance the environmental and social sustainability, animal welfare, and production, compared with the introduction of cosmopolitan breeds with uncertain adaptation in uncontrolled environmental areas., (© 2024 The Author(s). Animal Genetics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.)

Analysis of genomic data is becoming more and more common for the effective management of livestock breeding programmes, even in the case of local populations. In this work, the genome-wide data of Nero Siciliano pig breed were compared to that of wild boar, Italian local and cosmopolitan breeds to investigate its genetic structure, and runs of homozygosity (ROH) and heterozygosity patterns. The Nero Siciliano has been reported to have the highest rate of genetic diversity among the Italian breeds, and a genetic variability comparable to that of the cosmopolitan breeds. Analyses of genomic structure and relationships underlined its proximity to wild boar, and an internal substructure probably linked to different family lines. The breed showed a low value of inbreeding estimated from ROH, and the highest diversity index among the Italian breeds, even if lower than that of the cosmopolitans. Four ROH islands in three chromosomes (SSC8, SSC11, and SSC14) and one heterozygosity-rich region (SSC1) were identified in Nero Siciliano, highlighting genomic regions related to productive QTL. Across breeds, SSC8 and SSC14 were the chromosomes with most ROH islands, with Mora Romagnola and wild boar showing the highest level of autozygosity. Chromosomes SSC2, SSC6, SSC8 and SSC13 showed the majority of runs of heterozygosity regions, mainly found in the cosmopolitan pig breeds, which reported several genes associated with health-related QTL. The outlined results can help to better identify the genomic profile of this local breed in order to plan matings, maintain adequate internal diversity and exploit the production system., (© 2023 The Authors. Animal Genetics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.)

Background: Systemic inflammation is implicated in the onset and progression of several chronic diseases. Periodontitis is a potential trigger of systemic inflammation., Purpose: To comprehensively appraise all the evidence on the effects of the treatment of periodontitis on systemic inflammation assessed by serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels., Data Sources: Six electronic databases were searched up to 10 February 2022 to identify and select articles in English language only., Study Selection: Twenty-six randomized controlled clinical trials reporting changes amongst 2579 participants about CRP levels at 6 months or more after treatment., Data Extraction: Two reviewers independently extracted data and rated the quality of studies. Meta-analyses were performed using random and fixed effect models., Risk of Bias: Risk of bias (RoB 2.0 tool) and quality of evidence (GRADEpro GDT tool) analyses were completed., Data Synthesis: Treatment of periodontitis reduced CRP levels by 0.69 mg/L (95% confidence interval: -0.97 to -0.40) after 6 months, but limited evidence was retrieved from studies with longer follow-ups. Similar findings were observed in participants with other co-morbidities in addition to periodontitis. Greatest reductions were observed in participants with concentrations of CRP >3 mg/L at baseline., Limitations: High level of heterogeneity., Conclusions: Treatment of periodontitis reduces serum CRP levels (up to 6 months follow-up) to a degree equivalent to that observed after traditional lifestyle or drug interventions. This evidence supports a causal association between periodontitis and systemic inflammation., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Periodontology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: To investigate the effect of treatment of periodontitis on systemic health outcomes, pregnancy complications, and associated quality of life., Materials and Methods: Systematic electronic searches were conducted to identify randomized controlled trials with minimum 6-month follow-up and reporting on the outcomes of interest. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed as deemed suitable., Results: Meta-analyses confirmed reductions of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) [0.56 mg/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-0.88, -0.25), p < .001]; interleukin (IL)-6 [0.48 pg/ml, 95% CI (-0.88, -0.08), p = .020], and plasma glucose [1.33 mmol/l, 95% CI (-2.41, -0.24), p = .016], and increase of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) [0.31%, 95% CI (0.07, 0.55), p = .012] and diastolic blood pressure [0.29 mmHg, 95% CI (0.10, 0.49), p = .003] 6 months after the treatment of periodontitis. A significant effect on preterm deliveries (<37 weeks) was observed [0.77 risk ratio, 95% CI (0.60, 0.98), p = .036]. Limited evidence was reported on quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes in the included studies., Conclusions: Treatment of periodontitis results in systemic health improvements including improvement in cardiometabolic risk, reduction in systemic inflammation and the occurrence of preterm deliveries. Further research is however warranted to confirm whether these changes are sustained over time. Further, appropriate QoL outcomes should be included in the study designs of future clinical trials., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: To systematically review the literature to evaluate the recurrence of disease of people in long-term supportive periodontal care (SPC), previously treated for periodontitis, and determine the effect of different methods of managing recurrence. The review focused on stage IV periodontitis., Materials and Methods: An electronic search was conducted (until May 2020) for prospective clinical trials. Tooth loss was the primary outcome., Results: Twenty-four publications were retrieved to address recurrence of disease in long-term SPC. Eight studies were included in the meta-analyses for tooth loss, and three studies for disease progression/recurrence (clinical attachment level [CAL] loss ≥2 mm). For patients in SPC of 5-20 years, prevalence of losing more than one tooth was 9.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5%-14%), while experiencing more than one site of CAL loss ≥2 mm was 24.8% (95% CI 11%-38%). Six studies informed on the effect of different methods of managing recurrence, with no clear evidence of superiority between methods. No data was found specifically for stage IV periodontitis., Conclusions: A small proportion of patients with stage III/IV periodontitis will experience tooth loss in long-term SPC (tendency for greater prevalence with time). Regular SPC appears to be important for reduction of tooth loss. No superior method to manage disease recurrence was found., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Acute infection/inflammation increases the risk of acute vascular events (AVEs). Invasive dental treatments (IDTs) trigger short-term acute inflammation., Purpose: The aim of this work is to critically appraise the evidence linking IDTs and AVEs., Data Sources: Six bibliographical databases were searched up to 31 August 2021. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was performed., Study Selection: Intervention and observational studies reporting any AVEs following IDT were included., Data Extraction: Two reviewers independently extracted data and rated the quality of studies. Data were pooled using fixed-effect, inverse variance weights analysis., Risk of Bias: Risk of bias was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for observational studies and the Cochrane Handbook-Rob 2.0 for randomized controlled trials., Data Synthesis: In 3 out of 16 clinical studies, a total of 533,175 participants, 124,344 myocardial infarctions, and 327,804 ischaemic strokes were reported. Meta-analysis confirmed that IDT did not increase incidence ratios (IR) for combined vascular events either at 1-4 weeks (IR of 1.02, 95% CIs: 0.92 to 1.13) and at 5-8 weeks (IR of 1.04, 95% CIs: 0.97 to1.10) after treatment., Limitations: A high level of heterogeneity (study designs and time point assessments) was found., Conclusion: Patients who received IDT exhibited no substantial increase in vascular risk over 8 weeks post treatment., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Periodontology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)