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ABSTRACT: Extreme precipitation events are widely thought to intensify in a warmer atmosphere through the Clausius‐Clapeyron equation. The temperature‐extreme precipitation scaling was proposed to analyse the temperature dependency of short‐duration extreme precipitation and since then, the concept has been widely used in climatology. Bao et al. (2017) suggest that the apparent scaling reflects not only how surface air properties affect extreme precipitation, but also reflects how synoptic conditions and localized cooling due to the storm itself affect the scaling – implying two‐way causality. We address here critical issues of this paper and provide evidence that dew point temperature drives extreme precipitation, with the direction of causality reversed only for the storm's peak intensity. This physical inference may serve as a basis to better quantify scaling rates and to help establish the relationship between extreme precipitation and environmental conditions in the current climate, and thereby provide insights into future changes to precipitation extremes due to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of stockpiled forage type and protein supplementation on VFA production, serum metabolites, and BW in yearling beef heifers. Over 2 yr, spring-born, Angus crossbred yearling beef heifers (n = 42; 305 ± 2.9 kg initial BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 forage pasture types: 1) endophyteinfected tall fescue [TF; Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort], 2) a big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans L.) combination (BI), or 3) switchgrass (SG; Panicum virgatum L.). Each pasture was then randomly assigned to receive either 1 of 2 isonitrogenous CP treatments: 1) 0.68 kg·heifer-1·d-1 of dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS; 28% CP and 88% TDN) or 2) 0.22 kg·heifer-1·d-1 of blood meal and fish meal (BF; 72.5% CP and 69.5% TDN), resulting in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments were initiated in January and terminated in April in both years of the study. Body weights and blood samples were collected approximately every 28 d from initiation of grazing until the end of the trial. Heifer BW change from January to February and overall BW change were greater (P < 0.01) for TF heifers. However, BW change from March to April was not different (P = 0.84) among forage types. Supplement type did not influence (P ≥ 0.13) BW or BW change from January to February and from January to April; however, heifers fed DDGS had greater (P = 0.03) BW gain from March to April. Heifer BW change from February to March exhibited (P < 0.05) a forage type × supplement interaction, with BF-fed heifers gaining more BW on BI pastures than DDGSfed heifers. Serum glucose concentrations, ruminal acetate, and the acetate:propionate ratio were greater (P ≤ 0.04) for SG heifers. However, circulating serum NEFA and urea N (SUN) concentrations were not different (P ≥ 0.85) among forage types. Serum glucose and NEFA concentrations were not influenced (P ≥ 0.61) by supplement type. Circulating SUN concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) in BF-supplemented heifers. Ruminal acetate tended to be greater (P = 0.09) and butyrate concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) for BF-supplemented heifers. The acetate:propionate ratio was not influenced (P = 0.15) by supplement type. These results suggest that a compensatory gain period prior to breeding would be needed for these native warm-season species to be a viable opportunity for growing and developing replacement heifers in the southeastern United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present-day precipitation-temperature scaling relations indicate that hourly precipitation extremes may have a response to warming exceeding the Clausius-Clapeyron (CC) relation; for the Netherlands the dependency on surface dewpoint temperature follows 2 times the CC relation (2CC). The authors' hypothesis-as supported by a simple physical argument presented here-is that this 2CC behavior arises from the physics of convective clouds. To further investigate this, the large-scale atmospheric conditions accompanying summertime afternoon precipitation events are analyzed using surface observations combined with a regional reanalysis. Events are precipitation measurements clustered in time and space. The hourly peak intensities of these events again reveal a 2CC scaling with the surface dewpoint temperature. The temperature excess of moist updrafts initialized at the surface and the maximum cloud depth are clear functions of surface dewpoint, confirming the key role of surface humidity on convective activity. Almost no differences in relative humidity and the dry temperature lapse rate were found across the dewpoint temperature range, supporting the theory that 2CC scaling is mainly due to the response of convection to increases in near-surface humidity, while other atmospheric conditions remain similar. Additionally, hourly precipitation extremes are on average accompanied by substantial large-scale upward motions and therefore large-scale moisture convergence, which appears to accelerate with surface dewpoint. Consequently, most hourly extremes occur in precipitation events with considerable spatial extent. Importantly, this event size appears to increase rapidly at the highest dewpoint temperature range, suggesting potentially strong impacts of climatic warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As canine mammary tumours ( CMT) and human breast cancer share clinical and prognostic features, the former have been proposed as a model to study carcinogenesis and improved therapeutic treatment in human breast cancer. In recent years, it has been shown that transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 ( TRPV1) is expressed in different neoplastic tissues and its activation has been associated with regulation of cancer growth and progression. The aim of the present research was to demonstrate the presence of TRPV1 in human and canine mammary cancer cells, MCF-7 and CF.41, respectively, and to study the role of TRPV1 in regulating cell proliferation. The images obtained by Western blot showed a signal at 100 kDa corresponding to the molecular weight of TRPV1 receptor. All tested TRPV1 agonists and antagonists caused a significant decrease ( P < 0.05) of cell growth rate in MCF-7 cells. By contrast, in CF.41 cells capsaicin and capsazepine induced a significant increase ( P < 0.05) in cell proliferation, whereas resiniferatoxin ( RTX) and 5-iodo-resiniferatoxin (5-I- RTX) had no influence on CF.41 cell proliferation. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism responsible for the different effects evoked by TRPV1 activation in MCF-7 and CF.41 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Donalisio, C., Barbero, R., Cuniberti, B., Vercelli, C., Casalone, M., Re, G. Effects of flunixin meglumine and ketoprofen on mediator production in ex vivo and in vitro models of inflammation in healthy dairy cows. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 36, 130-139. In this study, ex vivo assays were carried out in dairy cows to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: ketoprofen (KETO) and flunixin meglumine (FM). Twelve healthy Holstein dairy cattle were randomly allocated to two groups ( n=6): group 1 received FM and group 2 received KETO at recommended therapeutic dosages. The anti-inflammatory effects of both drugs were determined by measuring the production of coagulation-induced thromboxane B2 (TXB2), lipopolysaccharides (LPS) (10 μg/mL)-induced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and calcium ionophore (60 μ m)-induced leukotrien B4 (LTB4). Cytokine production was assessed by measuring tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-8 (CXCL8) concentrations after incubation in the presence of 10 μg/mL LPS. The IC50 of FM and KETO was determined in vitro by determining the concentration of TXB2 and PGE2 in the presence of scalar drug concentrations (10−9-10−3 m). Both FM and KETO inhibited the two COX isoforms in vitro, but showed a preference for COX-1. FM and KETO showed similar anti-inflammatory effects in the cow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Several aspects related to the source term in the Phebus FPT1 experiment have been analyzed with the help of MELCOR 1.8.5 and CFX 5.7 codes. Integral aspects covering circuit thermalhydraulics, fission product and structural material release, vapours and aerosol retention in the circuit and containment were studied with MELCOR, and the strong and weak points after comparison to experimental results are stated. Then, sensitivity calculations dealing with chemical speciation upon release, vertical line aerosol deposition and steam generator aerosol deposition were performed. Finally, detailed calculations concerning aerosol deposition in the steam generator tube are presented. They were obtained by means of an in-house code application, named COCOA, as well as with CFX computational fluid dynamics code, in which several models for aerosol deposition were implemented and tested, while the models themselves are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Endocannabinoids have analgesic/anti-inflammatory properties. The biology of endocannabinoids, their receptors, signalling mechanisms and role in the regulation of physiological processes have been extensively reviewed. This review focuses on the role of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an endogenous fatty acid amide analogue of the endocannabinoid anandamide, in tissue protective mechanisms. PEA was first identified almost five decades ago in lipid extracts of various natural products, and its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects were established later. Evidence exists that PEA is synthesised during inflammation and tissue damage and a number of beneficial effects, including the relief of inflammation and pruritus, have been shown to be useful in the control of neurogenic and neuropathic pain. The postulated hypotheses as to the mode of action of PEA include a possible local autacoid-like mediator activity regulating mast-cell activity and putative activation of cannabinoids and vanilloid TRPVI receptors via "entourage" effects. The large number of scientific investigations into the effects of PEA and PEA-related compounds has given rise to new therapeutic opportunities. In spite of the multitude of therapies currently employed to control inflammation, pain, pruritus and tissue damage, the possibility of using a natural compound, such as PEA to manipulate endogenous protective mechanisms may be considered a beneficial novel therapeutic strategy in veterinary medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mepartricin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic developed as a drug for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in human patients. In the present study, aged rats are used as an experimental model to evaluate the effects of mepartricin on circulating hormone concentrations and prostate receptor concentrations, to compare these possible effects with clinical findings observed in long-term treated dogs. Fifty-six aged male rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups treated orally with 0 (group 1), 2 mg (group 2), 5 mg (group 3) and 20 mg (group 4) mepartricin/kg of body weight. for 28 days respectively. Serum oestradiol and testosterone concentrations were measured by radio-immune-assays methods. Binding assays were used to measure the prostate concentrations of oestrogen receptors (ER), androgen receptors (AnR), α1-adrenergic receptor ( α1-AR), and β-adrenerergic receptor ( β-AR) subtypes. Mepartricin induced a significant reduction of prostate weight and serum oestradiol concentrations. Serum testosterone concentrations were unaffected. The treatment induced a significant down-regulation of ER concentrations ( P < 0.05) and a significant up-regulation of AnR ( P < 0.05) in rat prostate. Mepartricin induced a significant ( P < 0.05) dose-dependent up-regulation of α1-AR and β2-AR. In contrast, the concentration of β3-ARs was significantly decreased ( P < 0.05) in treated animals. The increase in prostate β2-AR concentrations observed in subjects treated with mepartricin may be a favourable element in the evolution of BPH, because of the role exerted by these receptors in the control of prostatic smooth muscle relaxation. Curiously, β3-AR concentrations were significantly reduced in treated animals. Data collected suggest that the prostatic β-AR expression might be strongly influenced by oestrogen deprivation (mepartricin treatment); therefore, the combination of oestrogen suppression (mepartricin) and adrenergic suppression ( α1-AR blockers) may be proposed as a possible nonhormonal therapeutic strategy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lagoon of Venice was formed during the Late Holocene transgression and anthropogenic remains are common within its sedimentary sequences. This study is based on the foraminiferal association of 58 samples from 7 cores obtained from salt marshes north of Venice. Below horizons of lagoonal origin, these samples reveal the presence of faunas with Trochammina inflata (Montagu) and Helenina anderseni (Warren) which indicate conditions that are characteristic of present-day salt marshes. Foraminiferal faunas can identify the different lagoonal environments and indicate the relative position of the various horizons with respect to sea level. Faunas obtained from the lower section of the cores are analogous to present-day assemblages and they indicate, below a transgressive phase, the existence of buried ancient salt marshes occupied by human settlements. The absolute age of these horizons indicates that the establishment of human settlements is much older than previously thought and that the average rate of Holocene relative sea level rise for the last 5000 years is of the order of 1.2 mm/yr. The formation of these salt marshes, and their subsequent submergence, occurred with rates of accretion and subsidence markedly variable and with occasional erosional phases. This study also shows that, within the present lagoonal environment, together with erosional processes there are areas of accumulation with the formation of new salt marshes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective was to determine the effect of stockpiled forage type and protein supplementation on VFA production, serum metabolites, and heifer BW. Over 2 yr, spring-born, crossbred heifers (n = 45) were stratified by BW at weaning and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 forage treatments: 1) endophyte-infected tall fescue (TF; Festuca arundinacea), 2) big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi Vitman) and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans L.) combination (BI), or 3) switchgrass (SG; Panicum virgatum L.). Forage treatments were then randomly assigned to receive 1 of 2 supplement types: 1) 0.68 kg·heifer-1·d-1 of dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS; 28% CP, 74% RUP, and 88% TDN) or 2) 0.22 kg·heifer-1·d-1 of blood meal and fish meal (BF; 72.5% CP, 67.5% RUP, and 69.5% TDN), resulting in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments were initiated every year in January and terminated in April at the onset of a 60-d breeding season. Body weights and serum samples were collected approximately every 28 d from initiation of grazing until breeding. Serum glucose concentrations were greater (P = 0.05) for heifers grazing SG. Circulating NEFA concentrations were greater (P = 0.04) in TF heifers. Serum urea N (SUN) was not influenced (P = 0.37) by forage type. Ruminal acetate concentration and acetate:propionate ratio were greater (P = 0.04) in heifers grazing SG pastures. Heifer BW change from January to February and overall BW change were greater (P < 0.01) for TF heifers. However, BW change from March to April was not different (P = 0.84) among forage types. Serum glucose and SUN concentrations exhibited (P < 0.05) supplement type × sampling time interactions. Ruminal acetate tended to be greater (P = 0.09) and butyrate concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) for BF-supplemented heifers. The acetate:propionate ratio was not influenced (P = 0.15) by supplement type. Supplement type did not influence (P > 0.13) BW or BW change from January to February and January to April; however, heifers fed DDGS gained (P = 0.03) more BW from March to April. Heifer BW change from February to March exhibited (P < 0.05) a forage type × supplement interaction with BF heifers gaining more BW on BI pastures than DDGS heifers. Overall, developing heifers on low-quality native forages initially delayed BW gain; however, heifers seemed to quickly adapt to the lower-quality forage, resulting in similar BW gains in March and April. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Yields from Brazilian beef-production systems do not always match the expected potential of a forage-based beef-production system. This efficiency is dependent on adjustments of grazing intensity and supplement utilisation to achieve higher bodyweight gain and lower methane emission. Therefore, more studies are necessary to evaluate the association between pasture management and supplement doses. Aims: The aim of the present study was to determine nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, animal performance, carcass characteristics and enteric methane emissions of young Nellore bulls grazing Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu pastures. Methods: One hundred and forty-eight yearling bulls (230 ± 17 kg) were randomly assigned to a grazing-by-supplementation strategy that was designed to allocate three different sward heights with differing levels of supplementation during the wet season. Treatment combinations were (1) low sward height with high supplementation (LH-HS, 15-cm sward height and supplementation at 0.6% of bodyweight (BW)); (2) low height with moderate supplementation (LH-MS, 15 cm and 0.3% BW); (3) moderate height with moderate supplementation (MH-MS, 25 cm and 0.3% BW); (4) moderate height with low supplementation (MH-LS, 25 cm and 0.1% BW); (5) high height with low supplementation (HH-LS, 35 cm and 0.1% BW); and (6) high height with no supplementation (HH-WS, 35 cm). Key results: Bulls in the HH groups had a greater herbage intake than did those in the LH groups (P < 0.01). Bulls in the LH-HS treatment resulted in a greater (P < 0.01) carcass average daily gain than that obtained with LH-MS, MH-LS or HH-WS treatment. Higher stocking rate with the LH treatment resulted in greater gains per hectare in terms of both BW and carcass (P < 0.01). Carcass yield was greater for bulls maintained with the LH-HS treatment (54.3% BW). Higher enteric methane emissions were observed from bulls under the HH treatments (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Comparing carcass gains per hectare and low methane emissions, the present study indicated that pasture management towards a low sward height combined with 0.3% or 0.6% BW supplementation can result in a greater nutrient utilisation efficiency of bulls. Implications: Results provided information to obtain better gains per animals and area, also decreasing methane emission of beef cattle production system. Brazilian beef production produces animal protein mainly by using fibrous feeds such as tropical grasses, which reduces the cost of production. However, grass production is variable during the year, so it is important to use supplementation to fulfil animal requirements. We aimed to determine the effects of different combinations of sward heights and supplementation levels on animal production variables. It was found that pasture management for different heights needs different supplementation levels to attend to animal requirements during the dry season, resulting in great production and probably positive economy to the owner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study that investigates the effects of human-dog interaction in order to study its impact on dog behaviour and salivary cortisol levels. For the study 19 long-term sheltered dogs of both sexes recruited at the Public Animal Shelter of Turin were divided into two behaviorally homogeneous groups. The results from the study indicated that some environmental changes have a positive effect upon the behaviour and the welfare of sheltered dogs.

The article presents a study that aims to measure the concentration of lymphocyte muscarinic receptors (MR), platelet α2-adrenergic receptors and blood monoamine levels in ageing dogs. The study used 27 healthy dogs of both sexes divided into two groups: adults and old dogs. Blood samples were collected and the plasma catecholamines and serum serotonin was measured. The results suggest that both MR and serotonin levels represent appropriate marker of ageing in dogs.

The article focuses on a study that analyzes the effects of herbal extracts on blood prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes in the horse. For this study, seventeen horses, with an average age of 14.1 years and medium heart girth of 188 cm, were used. The results of the study indicates that there are no differences in the serum concentrations of blood prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes between horses with chronical inflammatory process and healthy horses.

The article focuses on a study that identifies whether the TRPV1 vanilloid receptor is expressed by MCF-7 cells since the receptor subtypes for the cannabinoids CB1 and CB2 have already been characterized in their plasma membranes. For this study, MCF-7 cells were plated and cultured to get the number of cells needed to perform binding assay and then re-suspended in binding buffer. The study identified the TRPV1 receptor expression and functionality in epithelial cells of companion animals.

Presented here is a magnetic hydrogel particle enabled workflow for capturing and concentrating SARS-CoV-2 from diagnostic remnant swab samples that significantly improves sequencing results using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencing platform. Our approach utilizes a novel affinity-based magnetic hydrogel particle, circumventing low input sample volumes and allowing for both rapid manual and automated high throughput workflows that are compatible with Nanopore sequencing. This approach enhances standard RNA extraction protocols, providing up to 40 × improvements in viral mapped reads, and improves sequencing coverage by 20–80% from lower titer diagnostic remnant samples. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this approach works for contrived influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus samples, suggesting that it can be used to identify and improve sequencing results of multiple viruses in VTM samples. These methods can be performed manually or on a KingFisher automation platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this randomised placebo-controlled, observer-blinded study was to evaluate the analgesic effects of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) as an adjunct for postoperative pain control in dogs. Sixteen dogs undergoing bilateral radical mastectomy for treatment of mammary tumours were enrolled. Twenty-four hours before surgery, the subjects were distributed into two groups of eight dogs each: 7 iu/kg BoNT-A (BoNT-A) or saline (Control) was administered subcutaneously in each mammary gland. Following sedation with intramuscular 0.03 mg/kg acepromazine and 0.3 mg/kg morphine, anaesthesia was induced intravenously with 4 mg/kg propofol and maintained with isoflurane/O2. Postoperative analgesia was evaluated for 72 hours after extubation using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and modified Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (modified-GCMPS). Rescue analgesia was provided with intramuscular morphine (0.5 mg/kg). Data were analysed using analysis of variance, Tukey's test, Mann-Whitney U test and Friedman test (P<0.05). The pain scores were significantly lower in the BoNT-A than in the Control from 8 hours to 60 hours and from 12 hours to 60 hours after extubation, based on the VAS and modified-GCMPS, respectively. Rescue analgesia was required by significantly more dogs in the Control (7/8) compared with the BoNT-A (2/8) (P=0.022). Pre-emptive BoNT-A appears to be effective as an adjuvant for postoperative pain management in dogs undergoing bilateral radical mastectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activity of the anti-inflammatory agents Flunixin-meglumine ( FLU), RS (±) Carprofen ( CPF) and S (+) CPF on bovine cyclooxygenases ( COXs) has been characterized in feedlot calves using an in vitro whole blood model. The drugs showed equivalent efficacy in their inhibitory activity on COXs, and the rank order of potency for both COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition was FLU > S (+) CPF > RS (±) CPF. Our results indicated that FLU is a nonselective inhibitor of bovine COXs, whereas RS (±) CPF and S (+) CPF exhibited different degrees of preferential inhibition of COX-2 isoenzyme. The rank order of IC50 COX-1: IC50 COX-2 potency ratios was in fact S (+) CPF (51.882) > RS (±) CPF (13.964) > FLU (0.606), and the calculated percentage inhibition of COX-1 corresponding to COX-2 inhibition values comprised between 80% and 95% was comprised between 57.697 and 79.865 for FLU, 33.373 and 51.319 for RS (±) CPF, and 0.230 and 4.622 for S (+) CPF, respectively. These findings are discussed in relation to the prediction of the clinical relevance of COX inhibition by the test drugs in cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit cyclooxygenases (COX), and the inhibition of COX-2 rather than COX-1 can limit the onset of NSAID-related adverse effects. The pharmacodynamic properties of eltenac, naproxen, tepoxalin, SC-560 and NS 398 in healthy horses were investigated using an in vitro whole blood assay. To predict COX selectivity in clinical use, eltenac and naproxen were also studied ex vivo after intravenous administration. SC-560 acted as a selective COX-1 inhibitor, tepoxalin as a dual inhibitor with potent activity against COX-1, and NS 398 as a preferential COX-2 inhibitor. Eltenac was a preferential COX-2 inhibitor in vitro but un-selective in the ex vivo study. Naproxen maintained its non-selectivity both in vitro and ex vivo. These findings have demonstrated that in vitro studies may not accurately predict in vivo NSAID selectivity for COX and should be confirmed using an ex vivo whole blood assay [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ca. 950 m thick succession that was continuously cored in 1971 in Venice has been revisited, in order to reconstruct the environmental history of the Venice area since about 2.15 Ma. Magnetic polarity stratigraphy, integrated with refined calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy, provides a firm chronostratigraphic framing of the succession. In order to improve the chronological resolution, we derived astrochronological refinements in the lower Pleistocene sapropel-bearing interval by a comparison with other time-correlative sections in the Mediterranean. The pollen record is used as a proxy of climatic changes and as an indirect tool in the chronological reconstruction in the upper part of the succession. The following history has been inferred: (1) in the late Gelasian (late Pliocene), the depositional area was a strongly subsiding shelf which shoaled to near sea level; (2) following a hiatus of a minimum duration of 0.2 Myr, encompassing most of the Olduvai Subchron, the shelf rapidly drowned to bathyal depths over the early Pleistocene (biozones MNN 19a to 19e: from 1.947 Ma to 0.96 Ma). This interval was characterized by starved sedimentation (less than 10 cm/kyr), represented by hemipelagic muds interbedded with sapropel layers; (3) during most of biozone MNN19f (Pseudoemiliania lacunosa Zone, 0.96–0.42 Ma) a thick package of turbidites was laid down as a result of massive terrigenous input from the eastern Southern Alps; (4) later, in the middle part of Chron 1n (Brunhes), deltaic sedimentation, primarily related to the progradation of the paleo-Po system, led to the progressive infill of the basin. This progradational episode was a major building phase, and ended with the first appearance of continental sediments, tentatively correlated with marine oxygen isotope substage 8.4; (5) the upper part of the succession shows a cyclic organization, with an upward increasing amount of marginal-marine and subaerial deposits. In this interval the Venice area was below sea level during glacioeustatic highstands but became emergent during subsequent major glacioeustatic lowstands. Pollen data support an overall good correspondence of continental sediment packages of sequences with glacial conditions and of maximum flooding intervals with interglacial conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Here we present a rapid and versatile method for capturing and concentrating SARS-CoV-2 from contrived transport medium and saliva samples using affinity-capture magnetic hydrogel particles. We demonstrate that the method concentrates virus from 1 mL samples prior to RNA extraction, substantially improving detection of virus using real-time RT-PCR across a range of viral titers (100–1,000,000 viral copies/mL) and enabling detection of virus using the 2019 nCoV CDC EUA Kit down to 100 viral copies/mL. This method is compatible with commercially available nucleic acid extraction kits (i.e., from Qiagen) and a simple heat and detergent method that extracts viral RNA directly off the particle, allowing a sample processing time of 10 min. We furthermore tested our method in transport medium diagnostic remnant samples that previously had been tested for SARS-CoV-2, showing that our method not only correctly identified all positive samples but also substantially improved detection of the virus in low viral load samples. The average improvement in cycle threshold value across all viral titers tested was 3.1. Finally, we illustrate that our method could potentially be used to enable pooled testing, as we observed considerable improvement in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from sample volumes of up to 10 mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming is expected to increase droughts and heatwaves, and consequently fire danger in southern Europe in the forthcoming decades. However, an assessment of the uncertainties associated with this general trend at regional scales, relevant to decision-making, is still missing. This study aims at assessing potential climate change impacts on fire danger over France through the projection of the widely used Fire Weather Index (FWI) and at quantifying the different sources of climate-driven uncertainty associated with these projections. We used daily climate experiments covering the 1995–2098 period under two scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) provided by the EURO-CORDEX initiative. Our results show an overall increase in FWI throughout the century, with the largest absolute increases in the Mediterranean area. Model uncertainty was very high in western France, previously identified as a potential fire-prone region under future climate. In contrast, large increases in FWI in the Mediterranean area showed low uncertainty across models. Besides, analyzing the natural variability of FWI revealed that extreme years under present-day climate could become much more frequent by the end of the century. The FWI is projected to emerge from the background of natural variability by mid-twenty-first century with a summer elevated fire danger three times more likely when summer temperature anomaly exceeds + 2 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study that analyzes the aliamide effect of Giupamid, an amide compound, in the well-established in vitro model of mast cell degranulation. The study showed that Glupamid is very active in reducing serotonin release in a concentration-dependent fashion. This characteristic of Glupamid demonstrates that the compound is active as an aliamide and strengthens its potential therapeutic use as a disease-oriented approach to osteoarthritis.

The article focuses on a study that analyzes the mechanism of action of aliamides in dogs and cats. In this study the aliamide parent molecule palmitoylethanolamide, and its topically-active congener adelmidrol, was tested on cutaneous mast cells of dogs and cats. Densitometric analysis performed on skin biopsies of allergic cats and canine skin wounds showed an increase in the staining intensity of cutaneous mast cells suggesting that aliamides are effective in decreasing degranulation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of beef heifers on Stapf. cv. Marandu grass pastures that were managed at three herbage allowances under continuous grazing with a variable stocking rate and were provided with mineral mix supplement or supplements with energy and protein. Seventy-two test heifers and 48 put-and-take heifers were used in a randomised design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement [three herbage allowances (1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kg of green dry matter/kg of bodyweight, and two supplementation levels (mineral mix or 0.3% bodyweight of a mineral-protein-energy supplement)], with two replicates per treatment (paddocks), to maintain the preestablished forage allowance. No significant difference was observed in the gain per hectare as a function of the herbage allowance, but 2.5 kg green dry matter/kg bodyweight provided the greatest average daily gain of bodyweight (0.605 kg/ animal/day). The energy/protein supplementation provided the greatest average daily gain compared with animals fed only the mineral mix. The supplements in the diet of beef heifers fed at 0.3% of bodyweight increased bodyweight gains without compromising the gain per hectare at different herbage allowances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to identify possible peripheral markers of illegal treatments with growth-promoting agents in veal calves, β-adrenergic receptor ( β-AR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) concentrations were measured in lymphocytes of 12 male Friesian crossbred calves (six controls and six treated). The animals received a cocktail of anabolic and re-partitioning agents [17 β-oestradiol: 3 × 10 mg intramuscular (i.m.) doses at 17-day intervals; dexamethasone sodium phosphate: 4 mg/day for 6 days and 5 mg/day for six further days dissolved in milk; and clenbuterol: 20 μg/kg/day dissolved in milk for the last 40 days before slaughter]. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture at different time points and lymphocytes were isolated by density gradient centrifugation. Lymphocyte β-AR and GR levels were measured by binding assays. Treatment with re-partitioning agents caused a significant down-regulation of lymphocyte β-ARs 19 days after the beginning of clenbuterol administration and at day 55 (after dexamethasone withdrawal, just before slaughter). This phenomenon was partially reversed at day 50, after dexamethasone administration, at which time a significant decrease in GR concentrations also occurred. For both types of receptors, no significant changes in the dissociation constant values were observed at any time point. Lymphocytes express measurable concentrations of β-ARs and GRs and the measurement of receptor levels highlights the fluctuation of receptor expression due to the dynamic interaction of the drugs used in combination. Lymphocyte receptor determination could therefore be included in a battery of biological assays to detect illegal treatments with anabolic agents in veal calves in the light of a multivariate approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a research related to the effects of short term transportation and housing on hormonal levels and on lymphocyte glucocorticoid and β-andrenergic receptor levels in beef calves. Thirty-two male calves were blood sampled at 6, 12 and 18 months before and after transportation to the slaughterhouse. Hormone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. The study confirms the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis system in short-term transported calves.