92 results on '"Petrera F"'
Search Results
2. Marine Science Communication in Europe – A way forward
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Seys, J., Cox, L., Sahin Yücel, E., Ezgeta-Balic, D., Faimali, M., Garaventa, F., Garcia-Martinez, M.-C., Gili, C., Kopke, K., Moreau, K., Petrera, F., Simon, D., Villwock, Andreas, Zielinski, T., Muniz Piniella, A., Seys, J., Cox, L., Sahin Yücel, E., Ezgeta-Balic, D., Faimali, M., Garaventa, F., Garcia-Martinez, M.-C., Gili, C., Kopke, K., Moreau, K., Petrera, F., Simon, D., Villwock, Andreas, Zielinski, T., and Muniz Piniella, A.
- Abstract
The European Marine Board Communications Panel (EMBCP), a pan-European platform for marine science communicators, decided in 2019 to write a policy document, under the auspices and with the support of the European Marine Board (EMB). This document would sketch and analyse the state of the art in the field of marine science communication, aiming to highlight marine science communication as a growing and needed field of activity, and providing recommendations towards its future and developing best practices.
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- 2022
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3. Body growth, hematological profile, and clinical biochemistry of heifer calves sired by a bull or its clone
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Abeni, F., Federici, C., Speroni, M., Petrera, F., Pisacane, V., Terzano, G.M., Capelletti, M., Pirlo, G., and Aleandri, R.
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- 2012
- Full Text
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4. Metabolic and hematological profiles in heat stressed lactating dairy cows fed diets supplemented with different selenium sources and doses
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Calamari, L., Petrera, F., Abeni, F., and Bertin, G.
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- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Effects of either sodium selenite or Se yeast (Sc CNCM I-3060) supplementation on selenium status and milk characteristics in dairy cows
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Calamari, L., Petrera, F., and Bertin, G.
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- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Plasma parameters related to energy and lipid metabolism in periparturient Modenese and Italian Friesian cows
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Petrera, F., Napolitano, F., Dal Prà, A., and Abeni, F.
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- 2015
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7. Effects of different feeding time and frequency on metabolic conditions and milk production in heat-stressed dairy cows
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Calamari, L., Petrera, F., Stefanini, L., and Abeni, F.
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- 2013
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8. DNA and RNA obtained from Bouin's fixed tissues
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Bonin, S., Petrera, F., Rosai, J., and Stanta, G.
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Polymerase chain reaction -- Methods ,Polymerase chain reaction -- Research ,Nucleic acids -- Separation ,Nucleic acids -- Methods ,Nucleic acids -- Research ,Health - Published
- 2005
9. PCR analysis in archival postmortem tissues
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Bonin, S, Petrera, F, Niccolini, B, and Stanta, G
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- 2003
10. Effects of feeding treatment on growth rates, metabolic profiles and age at puberty, and their relationships in dairy heifers
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Abeni, F., primary, Petrera, F., additional, and Le Cozler, Y., additional
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- 2019
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11. Application of OLS Regression for the Prediction of Labour Time in Manufacturing. A Comparison of Subset Selection and Exhaustive Search for Model Building
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PACELLA, Massimo, GRIECO, Antonio Domenico, ANGLANI, Alfredo, Petrera F., Roberto Teti, Pacella, Massimo, Grieco, Antonio Domenico, Anglani, Alfredo, and Petrera, F.
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New Product Development Process ,Cost Estimation ,OLS Regression ,Best Model Selection - Abstract
Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression is widely used to support cost estimating decisions. OLS regression uses past production data in order to estimate production costs (with both interval and point predictions) for similar new products, without requiring detailed information. In a regression model, the dependent variable is the production cost (e.g., the quantity of labour time) and the independent variables are the product parameters. Usually, these variables consist in some features of the product (performances, morphological characteristics, type of materials used), which are supposed to influence mainly the final production cost. OLS regression model is built through the application of a procedure in order to select variables that are of significant effect on the response. The present paper aims at illustrating the compared results of the application of two approaches for model selection in OLS regression – respectively, subset selection based on stepwise approach and exhaustive search based on prediction R-square coefficient – for the estimation of labour time in manufacturing. A real case study is used as reference within the paper. In particular, labour time data concerned the development of new sofa models, as performed in a manufacturing firm working in Southern Italy, were exploited. The results of this study give insight into the efficacy of OLS regression for labour time estimation during a new product cost development process, and evidence on the effect that the procedure, which is used to select variables, may have on the prediction ability of the OLS equation.
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- 2008
12. Genetically modified soya bean in sheep feeding: detection of DNA fragments in suckling lambs
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LAUDADIO V, PETRERA F, TUDISCO, RAFFAELLA, INFASCELLI, FEDERICO, Laudadio, V, Petrera, F, Tudisco, Raffaella, and Infascelli, Federico
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- 2006
13. PCR AND RT-PCR ANALYSIS IN ARCHIVAL POSTMORTEM TISSUES
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BONIN, Serena, STANTA, GIORGIO, PETRERA F., FUCHS J, PODDA M., Bonin, Serena, Petrera, F., and Stanta, Giorgio
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- 2005
14. Effects of dietary protein level on milk production and efficiency of N utilization in dairy cows
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Panella, G, Petrera, F, Maianti, Maria Grazia, and Calamari, Luigi
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Dairy cows ,Dietary crude protein ,Settore AGR/19 - ZOOTECNICA SPECIALE - Published
- 2011
15. Effect of selenium supplementation on plasma glutathione peroxidase and relationship with inflammatory markers in dairy cows
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Calamari, Luigi, Petrera, F, Moini, Alessio, and Bertin, G.
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Selenium ,Dairy cows ,Settore AGR/19 - ZOOTECNICA SPECIALE - Published
- 2011
16. Blood parameters in fattening pigs fed whole-ear corn silage and housed in group pens or in metabolic cages1
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Abeni, F., primary, Petrera, F., additional, Dal Prà, A., additional, Rapetti, L., additional, Malagutti, L., additional, and Galassi, G., additional
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- 2015
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17. Plasma parameters related to energy and lipid metabolism in periparturient Modenese and Italian Friesian cows
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Petrera, F., primary, Napolitano, F., additional, Dal Prà, A., additional, and Abeni, F., additional
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- 2014
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18. Feeding behaviour and metabolic condition of dairy cows during early lactation
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Calamari, Luigi, Petrera, F., Cogrossi, Simone, and Stefanini, L.
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Settore AGR/19 - ZOOTECNICA SPECIALE ,dairy cows ,Metabolic profile - Published
- 2009
19. Effects of selenium source and dose on selenomethionine and selenocysteine in milk of dairy cows
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Calamari, Luigi, Petrera, F., and Bertin, G.
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milk ,dairy cow ,Settore AGR/19 - ZOOTECNICA SPECIALE ,selenium - Published
- 2009
20. I 'public concern' e legislazione comunitaria, nazionale e regionale sugli organismi geneticamente modificati
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Petrera, F, Laudadio, V, Maretto, F, and Mantovani, Roberto
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- 2006
21. Rumination time around calving: An early signal to detect cows at greater risk of disease
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Calamari, L., primary, Soriani, N., additional, Panella, G., additional, Petrera, F., additional, Minuti, A., additional, and Trevisi, E., additional
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- 2014
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22. PCR analysis in archivial postmortem tissues
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Bonin, Serena, Petrera, F., Niccolini, B., Stanta, Giorgio, Bonin, Serena, F., Petrera, B., Niccolini, and Stanta, Giorgio
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- 2003
23. Effects of different feeding time and frequency on metabolic conditions and milk production in heat-stressed dairy cows
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Calamari, Luigi, Petrera, F, Stefanini, L, Abeni, F., Calamari, Luigi (ORCID:0000-0002-1632-9762), Calamari, Luigi, Petrera, F, Stefanini, L, Abeni, F., and Calamari, Luigi (ORCID:0000-0002-1632-9762)
- Abstract
The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effects of three different feeding management (FM) schedules on physiological markers of heat stress (HS), metabolic conditions, milk yield and quality during hot season in dairy cows. The study involved 27 mid-lactating cows, subdivided in 3 homogeneous groups differing for feeding time and frequency: total mixed ration (TMR) delivered once daily in the morning (M); twice daily, half in the morning and half in the evening (ME); once daily in the evening (E). During the trial blood samples were collected in the morning (a.m.) and in the evening (p.m.), breathing rate (BR), rectal temperature (RT), and milk yield were recorded and individual milk samples were collected. Microclimate data indicated that cows were subjected to mild-moderate HS. During the hotter days, cows in M treatment showed higher values of RT (38.97 °C vs. 38.68 °C and 38.62 °C, in ME and E) and BR (71.44 vs. 66.52 and 65.26 breaths min-1, in ME and E), a.m. plasma glucose was lower in M (3.69 vs. 3.83 and 3.83 mmol L-1, in ME and E) and a.m. plasma urea was lower in E (4.82 vs. 5.48 and 5.35 mmol L-1, in M and ME). Milk yield was unaffected by FM, as well as milk composition and cheese-making properties. Only milk protein content and yield were higher in M (3.42 vs. 3.36 and 3.27%; and 1.11 vs 1.08 and 1.02 kg d-1, for ME and E). Our results on cow physiology indicate how M seems the less suitable FM to match cow welfare during the summer season.
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- 2012
24. Body growth, hematological profile, and clinical biochemistry of heifer calves sired by a bull or its clone
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Abeni, F, Federici, C, Speroni, M, Petrera, F, Pisacane, Vincenza, Terzano, Gm, Capelletti, M, Pirlo, G, Aleandri, R., Abeni, F, Federici, C, Speroni, M, Petrera, F, Pisacane, Vincenza, Terzano, Gm, Capelletti, M, Pirlo, G, and Aleandri, R.
- Abstract
The aim of this paper was to compare body growth, hematological profile development, and clinical biochemistry in the female progeny of a sire with the female progeny of its clone. Sixteen Friesian female calves, 9 daughters from a tested bull (BULL) and 7 from its somatic cell nuclear transfer clone (CLONE) were monitored from birth to 60 wk of life. Body weight (BW), wither height (WH), hip height (HH), body length (BL), and hearth girth (HG) were measured at birth and 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, and 50 wk. Blood samples were taken from jugular vein at 12 to 48 h from birth and 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 36 wks of age, to be analyzed for hematological, serum protein, and metabolic profiles. At the same time, rectal temperature (RT) was recorded. Age at puberty was assessed on surviving heifers by measuring weekly plasma progesterone levels. Data were evaluated using a mixed model, taking into account the repeated measures in time on the calf. For each variable, different covariance structures were tested, choosing the best according to the Akaike’s Information Criteria. Significant was set at P 0.05, and a trend was considered for P 0.10. At 24 wk of age,WHwas lower in CLONE daughters than BULL daughters. Around 20 wk of age, there was a trend for lower BW in CLONE daughters than BULL daughters, confirmed from differences in HG. There was no difference in RT due to sire effect. Blood glucose concentration decreased in both groups during the first 4 wk of life; at birth, only a trend for higher blood glucose in CLONE daughters was recorded, whereas an opposite trend was observed for plasma creatinine. Total leukocyte count did not differ between progenies. Circulating lymphocytes tended to be lower in CLONE than BULL daughters. The neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio tended to be higher in CLONE than BULL calves. No difference was demonstrated for erythrocyte features, whereas mean platelet volume tended to be lower in CLONE than BULL progeny. From these results, th
- Published
- 2012
25. Metabolic and hematological profiles in heat stressed lactating dairy cows fed diets supplemented with different selenium sources and doses
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Calamari, Luigi, Petrera, F, Abeni, F, Bertin, G., Calamari, Luigi (ORCID:0000-0002-1632-9762), Calamari, Luigi, Petrera, F, Abeni, F, Bertin, G., and Calamari, Luigi (ORCID:0000-0002-1632-9762)
- Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the effects of either dietary selenium (Se) source or dose on a range of dairy cow metabolic and hematological profiles and their subsequent relationship with oxidative status and environmental temperature. Forty lactating cows, offered the same basal diet, were blocked by days in milk, milk yield and parity and then randomly allocated to 1 of 5 dietary treatments: negative control (CTRL; 0.098 mg Se kg− 1 DM), two levels of Se yeast (SY) supplementation (0.31 and 0.50 mg total Se kg− 1 DM), and two levels of sodium selenite (SS) supplementation (0.31 and 0.50 mg total Se kg− 1 DM). Whole blood samples were taken from all animals at the start of the study (23 March) and after 28, 56, 84, 112, 126, and 140 d. Whole blood samples were analyzed for total Se, glutathione peroxidase (GPX-1) and a range of hematological parameters. Plasma was analyzed for total Se, glutathione peroxidase (GPX-3), metabolites related to energy and protein metabolism, concentration of minerals, enzyme activities, positive acute phase proteins and oxidative status markers. Glutathione peroxidase activity and total Se in whole blood and plasma were greater (P<0.001) in Se supplemented cows than CTRL. The temperature humidity index (THI) values indicate that during the trial cows experienced a slight-mild heat stress. A negative effect of THI on plasma glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), thiol groups, plasma Na and K, and leukocyte count was observed. Conversely, a positive effect of THI on aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and GPX-3 activity was observed. Lower values (P<0.05) of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) during the hotter period were observed in SY supplemented animals when compared with CTRL and SS. Furthermore, plasma total antioxidants were lower (P<0.05) in SY supplemented animals when compared with SS during the hotter period. Plasma reactive oxygen metabolites were also numerically lower in SY when compared to
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- 2011
26. Effects of dietary protein level on milk production and efficiency of N utilization in dairy cows.
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Pirlo Giacomo, Panella, G, Petrera, F, Maianti, Maria Grazia, Calamari, Luigi, Calamari, Luigi (ORCID:0000-0002-1632-9762), Pirlo Giacomo, Panella, G, Petrera, F, Maianti, Maria Grazia, Calamari, Luigi, and Calamari, Luigi (ORCID:0000-0002-1632-9762)
- Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of the reduction of dietary crude protein (CP), to strictly cover the metabolizable protein requirement, on milk production and efficiency of N utilization. The study involved 28 mid-lactating Italian Friesian dairy cows and was conducted as a cross-over design comprising two periods of 28 d each. The cows were assigned (14 per treatment) to one of 2 isoenergetic dietary treatments (TMR based on corn silage): basal diet (B) and Low Protein diet (LP) containing 15.5 and 14.2 % of CP (DM basis), respectively. Average daily DMI and N intake of each treatment was calculated on a weekly basis. Individual milk yield was recorded daily, and milk samples were weekly collected and analyzed. Average daily secretion of N in milk (g/d) was calculated on a weekly basis. Equation based on urea clearance rate was used to estimate urinary N excretion on a weekly basis. Blood samples were collected at the end of each period and analyzed. Data were processed using mixed procedure for repeated measures. Neither milk yield nor milk protein content were negatively affected by the dietary CP. The urea content in milk and blood (22.4 vs 28.5 and 23.8 vs 30.7 mg/100 mL, in LP and B respectively; P<0.001) was affected by the dietary treatment. The estimated N urinary excretion (both as g d-1 and as percentage of N intake) was lower in LP than in B; conversely, the overall average efficiency of N utilization was greater in LP (33.8 vs 31.1% of N output with milk in percentage of N intake in LP and B respectively; P=0.05). In conclusion results highlighted that a dietary CP lower than the practice standard feeding does not reduce milk yield of mid-lactating cows, improves the efficiency of N utilization, and reduces N urinary excretion.
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- 2011
27. Effects of either sodium selenite or Se yeast (Sc CNCM I-3060) supplementation on selenium status and milk characteristics in dairy cows
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Calamari, Luigi, Petrera, F, Bertin, G., Calamari, Luigi (ORCID:0000-0002-1632-9762), Calamari, Luigi, Petrera, F, Bertin, G., and Calamari, Luigi (ORCID:0000-0002-1632-9762)
- Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effects of either dietary Se source or dose on dairy cow Se status, milk yield and subsequent milk characteristics. Forty lactating cows, offered the same basal diet, were blocked by DIM, milk yield and parity and then randomly allocated to 1 of 5 dietary treatments: negative control (CTRL; 0.098 mg of Se kg−1 DM), 2 Se yeast supplementation (SY03 and SY05, containing 0.31 and 0.50 mg of total Se kg−1 DM, respectively), and 2 sodium selenite supplementation (SS03 and SS05, containing 0.31 and 0.50 mg of total Se kg−1 DM, respectively). During the trial (lasted 140 d), whole blood, plasma, and milk were analyzed for total Se, and whole blood for glutathione peroxidase activity. The proportion of total Se as selenomethionine (SeMet) or selenocysteine (SeCys) in whole blood and milk samples was also determined. Milk constituent, SCC, technological properties and keeping quality were measured on milk samples. Neither source nor dose was seen to affect milk yield, SCC, or milk characteristics. Glutathione peroxidase activity was greater (Pb0.001) in Se supplemented cows than CTRL but no effect of source was observed. Total Se in whole blood, plasma and milk was greater (Pb0.001) in Se yeast than selenite, with higher asymptotic values in Se yeast, and also a greater ratio between Se in milk and Se in blood or plasma (Pb0.001). The time to asymptotic value of total Se in blood and milk was not affected by Se source, although time to asymptotic total Se in plasma was greater in Se yeast than selenite (Pb0.05). The 16.3% of supplemental Se was transferred into milk of SY05 animals whereas only 3.2% in SS05 supplemented animals. In blood SeCys was the main form of Se, and SeMet the main Se form in milk. In blood and in milk SeMet increased only in those animals supplemented with Se yeast, and at the end of the supplementation period values were greater in Se yeast animals than selenite (Pb0.001). These results demonstrate greater levels of S
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- 2010
28. Feeding behaviour and metabolic condition of dairy cows during early lactation.
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Calamari, Luigi (ORCID:0000-0002-1632-9762), Petrera, F., Cogrossi, Simone, Stefanini, L., Calamari, Luigi (ORCID:0000-0002-1632-9762), Petrera, F., Cogrossi, Simone, and Stefanini, L.
- Abstract
In dairy cow the transition period often results in enormous stress and may negatively impac��t Dry Matter Intake (DMI), milk production and herd health. The aim of this research was to study the feeding behaviour of dairy cows in early lactation and the relationship with the metabolic and health conditions. The trial was carried out on 14 multiparous Italian Friesian cows raised in an experimental free-stall barn. Animals were fed Total Mixed Ratio (TMR) once daily (at 07:30 a.m.) and raised, from 7 to 60 d after calving, in a pen equipped with 24 electronic feeding stations connected to a central computer (Bio Control A/S, Rakkestad, Norway) capable to record individual data on feeding behaviour. The data on feeding behaviour (number of meals, eating time per meal, feed intake per meal and rate of intake) were expressed per day and per day-time (from 07:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.) and nighttime (from 07:00 p.m. to 07:00 a.m.) period. Cows were bled, before TMR distribution, at -14, -7, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 d from calving and samples analyzed for the parameter of the Piacenza Metabolic Profile together to NEFA, BHBA, and creatinine. The BCS was evaluated at -7, 0, 30 and 60 d from calving, while milk yield and body weight were daily recorded. The animals were subdivided in two groups (G and L) according to the Liver Functionality Index (LFI), based on the behaviour of plasma albumin, total cholesterol and bilirubin in early lactation. The results were subjected to ANOVA (Mixed procedure of SAS), including LFI, DIM, period of the day, their interactions, and cow as random effect. During early lactation the behaviour of DMI was mainly related to the eating time per meal and the feed intake per meal; on the contrary, the number of meals per day changed only slightly. The DMI during the day-time period was on average 66% of daily DMI, this proportion did not change significantly during lactation. The animals with lower (worse) LFI (L) compared to the animals with higher (bet
- Published
- 2009
29. Effect of either sodium selenite or Se-yeast supplementation on selenium status and milk characteristics in dairy goats.
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Petrera, F., Calamari, Luigi, Bertin, G., Calamari, Luigi (ORCID:0000-0002-1632-9762), Petrera, F., Calamari, Luigi, Bertin, G., and Calamari, Luigi (ORCID:0000-0002-1632-9762)
- Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effects of dietary Se source on goat’s milk and blood Se status, and its subsequent effects on a number of milk characteristics. Ninety lactating dairy goats fed the same basal diet were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: negative control (CTRL), containing background Se only (dietary concentration of 0.13mgSe kg−1 DM); selenium yeast (SY) as the Se supplement (0.26mgSe head−1 d−1 of Se–yeast individually offered); sodium selenite (SS) as the Se supplement (0.26mghead−1 d−1 of sodium selenite individually offered). The period of supplementation was 112 d. Jugular venous blood samples (before morning meal) and milk samples (a.m. milking) were taken from 10 goats/treatment on d 0, 28, 56, 84 and 112, and milk yields recorded. On d 84 three Italian fresh cheeses were manufactured from bulk milk taken from each treatment. Selenium content of whole blood, plasma, milk and cheese was determined and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPX-1) activity was also measured. The proportion of Se incorporated as selenomethionine (SeMet) or selenocysteine (SeCys) in pooled whole blood samples was determined on d 0, 56, and 112. Milk samples were analysed for fat, protein, lactose, somatic cell count, thiocyanate and lactoperoxidase activity. Keeping quality of pasteurized milk was measured using pH, clot on boiling and alcohol stability tests. Data were analysed as repeated measures. Both Se sources, when compared to CTRL, increased GPX-1 activity (P < 0.05), the Se content of blood (P < 0.001) and plasma (P < 0.05). However, there were no differences between sources neither on GPX-1 activity nor on the Se content of whole blood and plasma. Despite this lack of difference in total Se in whole blood there were greater increases in blood SeMet contents in SY supplemented animals when compared to CTRL and SS. Milk Se content was only numerically higher in SS when compared to CTRL but greater in SY when compared to both SS and CTRL (P
- Published
- 2009
30. Effects of different feeding time and frequency on metabolic conditions and milk production in heat-stressed dairy cows
- Author
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Calamari, L., primary, Petrera, F., additional, Stefanini, L., additional, and Abeni, F., additional
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Effect of either sodium selenite or Se–yeast supplementation on selenium status and milk characteristics in dairy goats
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Petrera, F., primary, Calamari, L., additional, and Bertin, G., additional
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- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. Retrospective analyses of m-RNA gene expression profile from formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) specimens in colorectal cancer (CRC) and correlation with chemoresponsiveness
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Ghi, M. G., primary, Paccagnella, A., additional, Stanta, G., additional, Murer, B., additional, Petrera, F., additional, Busato, S., additional, Bonin, S., additional, Medici, M., additional, Carnuccio, R., additional, and Biason, R., additional
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Feeding behaviour of dairy cows in forced or free cow traffic in Automatic Milking System (AMS)
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Calamari, L., primary, Petrera, F., additional, Fava, A., additional, and Stefanini, L., additional
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- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Promiscuity of enhancer, coding and non-coding transcription functions in ultraconserved elements
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Sanges Remo, Petrera Francesca, Gennarino Vincenzo A, Licastro Danilo, Banfi Sandro, and Stupka Elia
- Subjects
Biotechnology ,TP248.13-248.65 ,Genetics ,QH426-470 - Abstract
Abstract Background Ultraconserved elements (UCEs) are highly constrained elements of mammalian genomes, whose functional role has not been completely elucidated yet. Previous studies have shown that some of them act as enhancers in mouse, while some others are expressed in both normal and cancer-derived human tissues. Only one UCE element so far was shown to present these two functions concomitantly, as had been observed in other isolated instances of single, non ultraconserved enhancer elements. Results We used a custom microarray to assess the levels of UCE transcription during mouse development and integrated these data with published microarray and next-generation sequencing datasets as well as with newly produced PCR validation experiments. We show that a large fraction of non-exonic UCEs is transcribed across all developmental stages examined from only one DNA strand. Although the nature of these transcripts remains a mistery, our meta-analysis of RNA-Seq datasets indicates that they are unlikely to be short RNAs and that some of them might encode nuclear transcripts. In the majority of cases this function overlaps with the already established enhancer function of these elements during mouse development. Utilizing several next-generation sequencing datasets, we were further able to show that the level of expression observed in non-exonic UCEs is significantly higher than in random regions of the genome and that this is also seen in other regions which act as enhancers. Conclusion Our data shows that the concurrent presence of enhancer and transcript function in non-exonic UCE elements is more widespread than previously shown. Moreover through our own experiments as well as the use of next-generation sequencing datasets, we were able to show that the RNAs encoded by non-exonic UCEs are likely to be long RNAs transcribed from only one DNA strand.
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- 2010
- Full Text
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35. Plasma estrone sulfate, clinical biochemistry, and milk yield of dairy cows carrying a fetus from a bull or its clone
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F. Abeni, Cesare Galli, Claudia Federici, G. Pirlo, Maurizio Capelletti, Giovanna Lazzari, Roberto Duchi, Riccardo Aleandri, Aldo Dal Prà, Giuseppina Maria Terzano, Francesca Petrera, M. Speroni, Abeni F, Capelletti M, Terzano GM, Federici C, Speroni M, Petrera F, Dal Prà A, Galli C, Duchi R, Lazzari G, Pirlo G, and Aleandri R.
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,DAIRY COW ,Estrone ,Cloning, Organism ,Clone (cell biology) ,fetu ,Ice calving ,Biology ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,NEFA ,Animal science ,Food Animals ,Pregnancy ,Estrone sulfate ,Lactation ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Animals ,Small Animals ,reproductive and urinary physiology ,Fetus ,Plasma estrone sulfate ,Equine ,Sire ,BULL ,Milk ,Endocrinology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,chemistry ,MILK YIELD ,Gestation ,Cattle ,Female ,Animal Science and Zoology - Abstract
The aim of this article was to compare plasma estrone sulfate (E1SO4), clinical biochemistry, and milk yield of dairy cows carrying a female fetus from a bull (BULL) or from its clone (CLONE), evaluating also the relationship between the former variables and the birth weight of the newborn. Sixteen recipient dairy Friesian heifers (10 BULL and 7 CLONE) received a female embryo, obtained by in vitro embryo production and sexing by polymerase chain reaction with the semen of the BULL or the CLONE. Blood samples on all cows were obtained before feed distribution in the morning from jugular vein from 4 weeks before to 4 weeks after calving, to be analyzed for metabolic profile. The samples from late gestation were also analyzed for E1SO4 concentration. To separately assess the effect of calf birth weight (CBW), data were categorized as follows: low (46 kg; BWT-C). The plasma concentrations of β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB, P=0.019), Na (P=0.002), Cl (P=0.026), strong cation-anion balance (P=0.020), total bilirubin (P=0.054), and α1-globulin (P=0.044) were higher in prepartum BULL recipients than those in CLONE, whereas BHB (P=0.021) and Mg (P=0.090) were higher in postpartum BULL recipients, while no differences were recorded in the remaining postpartum parameters. The CBW class had significant interaction with week of gestation on antepartum plasma estrone sulfate (P=0.021), whereas CBW per se affected antepartum plasma BHB (P=0.021), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA; P=0.011) being higher in BWT-C which also had the lower NEFA concentration during postpartum. Milk yield was unaffected by the sire used, both for quantitative and qualitative aspects. Cows carrying heavier fetus (BWT-C) had a different lactation affected by month compared with the other 2 CBW groups. From these results, there were no differences between BULL and CLONE recipients. Estrone sulfate, BHB, and NEFA may be used to predict CBW and provide different nutritional management during gestation.
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- 2014
36. Highly conserved elements discovered in vertebrates are present in non-syntenic loci of tunicates, act as enhancers and can be transcribed during development
- Author
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Gabriele Amore, Uwe Strähle, Francesca Petrera, Agnès Roure, Sandro Banfi, Patrick Lemaire, Swaraj Basu, Marco De Simone, Yavor Hadzhiev, Marion Gueroult-Bellone, Nicola Meola, Elia Stupka, Ferenc Müller, Ewan Birney, Euan R. Brown, Remo Sanges, Marco Ferg, Danilo Licastro, Sanges, R, Hadzhiev, Y, Gueroult Bellone, M, Roure, A, Ferg, M, Meola, N, Amore, G, Basu, S, Brown, E, De Simone, M, Petrera, F, Licastro, D, Strähle, U, Banfi, Sandro, Lemaire, P, Birney, E, Müller, F, and Stupka, E.
- Subjects
Transcription, Genetic ,Enhancer Elements ,Chordate ,Genome ,Synteny ,Conserved sequence ,03 medical and health sciences ,Animals ,Base Sequence ,Conserved Sequence ,Dogs ,Fishes ,Gene Regulatory Networks ,Genes, Homeobox ,Genetic Loci ,Humans ,Mammals ,Mice ,Urochordata ,Vertebrates ,Enhancer Elements, Genetic ,Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ,Genetics ,0302 clinical medicine ,Genetic ,Settore BIO/13 - Biologia Applicata ,biology.animal ,Homeobox ,Developmental ,Enhancer ,Gene ,030304 developmental biology ,0303 health sciences ,biology ,Vertebrate ,Genomics ,biology.organism_classification ,Multicellular organism ,Genes ,Gene Expression Regulation ,Evolutionary biology ,Transcription ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Co-option of cis-regulatory modules has been suggested as a mechanism for the evolution of expression sites during development. However, the extent and mechanisms involved in mobilization of cis-regulatory modules remains elusive. To trace the history of non-coding elements, which may represent candidate ancestral cis-regulatory modules affirmed during chordate evolution, we have searched for conserved elements in tunicate and vertebrate (Olfactores) genomes. We identified, for the first time, 183 non-coding sequences that are highly conserved between the two groups. Our results show that all but one element are conserved in non-syntenic regions between vertebrate and tunicate genomes, while being syntenic among vertebrates. Nevertheless, in all the groups, they are significantly associated with transcription factors showing specific functions fundamental to animal development, such as multicellular organism development and sequence-specific DNA binding. The majority of these regions map onto ultraconserved elements and we demonstrate that they can act as functional enhancers within the organism of origin, as well as in cross-transgenesis experiments, and that they are transcribed in extant species of Olfactores. We refer to the elements as 'Olfactores conserved non-coding elements'.
- Published
- 2013
37. Promiscuity of enhancer, coding and non-coding transcription functions in ultraconserved elements
- Author
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Vincenzo A. Gennarino, Sandro Banfi, Remo Sanges, Danilo Licastro, Elia Stupka, Francesca Petrera, Licastro, D, Gennarino, Va, Petrera, F, Sanges, R, Banfi, Sandro, and Stupka, E.
- Subjects
RNA, Untranslated ,Transcription, Genetic ,Proteomics ,Inbred C57BL ,Genome ,Conserved sequence ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Mice ,Transcription (biology) ,Settore BIO/13 - Biologia Applicata ,Developmental ,Animals ,Cells, Cultured ,Embryo, Mammalian ,Mice, Inbred C57BL ,Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ,Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Sequence Analysis, DNA ,Conserved Sequence ,Enhancer Elements, Genetic ,Biotechnology ,Genetics ,Cultured ,Untranslated ,Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ,Embryo ,DNA microarray ,Sequence Analysis ,Transcription ,Research Article ,Enhancer Elements ,lcsh:QH426-470 ,Cells ,lcsh:Biotechnology ,Biology ,ENCODE ,Genetic ,lcsh:TP248.13-248.65 ,Enhancer ,Embryonic Stem Cells ,Human genome ,Mammalian ,DNA ,lcsh:Genetics ,chemistry ,Gene Expression Regulation ,RNA - Abstract
Background Ultraconserved elements (UCEs) are highly constrained elements of mammalian genomes, whose functional role has not been completely elucidated yet. Previous studies have shown that some of them act as enhancers in mouse, while some others are expressed in both normal and cancer-derived human tissues. Only one UCE element so far was shown to present these two functions concomitantly, as had been observed in other isolated instances of single, non ultraconserved enhancer elements. Results We used a custom microarray to assess the levels of UCE transcription during mouse development and integrated these data with published microarray and next-generation sequencing datasets as well as with newly produced PCR validation experiments. We show that a large fraction of non-exonic UCEs is transcribed across all developmental stages examined from only one DNA strand. Although the nature of these transcripts remains a mistery, our meta-analysis of RNA-Seq datasets indicates that they are unlikely to be short RNAs and that some of them might encode nuclear transcripts. In the majority of cases this function overlaps with the already established enhancer function of these elements during mouse development. Utilizing several next-generation sequencing datasets, we were further able to show that the level of expression observed in non-exonic UCEs is significantly higher than in random regions of the genome and that this is also seen in other regions which act as enhancers. Conclusion Our data shows that the concurrent presence of enhancer and transcript function in non-exonic UCE elements is more widespread than previously shown. Moreover through our own experiments as well as the use of next-generation sequencing datasets, we were able to show that the RNAs encoded by non-exonic UCEs are likely to be long RNAs transcribed from only one DNA strand.
- Published
- 2009
38. Human disc large and scrib are localized at the same regions in colon mucosa and changes in their expression patterns are correlated with loss of tissues architecture during malignant progression
- Author
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F Petrera, Lawrence Banks, Daniela Gardiol, Giorgio Stanta, A. Zacchi, Gardiol, D., Zacchi, A., Petrera, F., Stanta, Giorgio, and Banks, L.
- Subjects
SCRIB ,Cancer Research ,Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Tumor suppressor gene ,Colon ,Biology ,Adenocarcinoma ,medicine.disease_cause ,Malignant transformation ,Discs Large Homolog 1 Protein ,Cell polarity ,medicine ,Humans ,Intestinal Mucosa ,Epithelial polarity ,Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ,hDlg ,Tumor Suppressor Proteins ,Cell Polarity ,Membrane Proteins ,Cell Differentiation ,colon cancer ,tissue architecture ,Scribble tumor suppressors ,Cell biology ,Oncology ,Tumor progression ,Colonic Neoplasms ,Disease Progression ,Immunohistochemistry ,Carcinogenesis - Abstract
Loss of cell polarity is one of the hallmarks of malignant carcinomas. Most of the understanding about the link between cell polarity and proliferation control comes from studies on the Drosophila tumor suppressors discs large (Dlg), scribble (Scrib) and lethal giant larvae (lgl). Mammalian homologues of these proteins have been described and are conserved in sequence and function. Human Dlg (hDlg) and Scrib were independently shown to be down-regulated during malignant progression. This, and other lines of evidence, points toward the participation of both hDlg and hScrib in a common pathway involved in polarity control and tumor suppression. We investigated the correlation between the expression of both proteins in tissues and their relative contributions to the maintenance of tissue architecture during colon cancer development. We analyzed the levels and distribution of hDlg and hScrib by immunohistochemistry, using serial sections of the same sample. We used normal and neoplastic colon mucosa, since it offers a good model for analyzing these features in progressive dysplastic stages. The results demonstrate that both proteins localize at the same regions in polarized colon epithelia, and that in normal samples the proteins' distribution varies as cells differentiate at the surface mucosa. In neoplasia, alterations in the expression pattern of hDlg and of hScrib increase during tumor progression; down-regulation of both proteins being associated with lack of epithelial cell polarity and disorganized tissue architecture. The results, therefore, demonstrate that there is an inverse relationship between the levels of hDlg and hScrib expression and the loss of cell polarity and tissue architecture in the colon. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
- Published
- 2006
39. A novel fixative improves opportunities of nucleic acids and proteomic analysis in human archive's tissues
- Author
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Serena Bonin, Gianni Bussolati, F Petrera, Stefano Pozzi Mucelli, Giorgio Stanta, Stanta, Giorgio, Pozzi Mucelli, S., Petrera, F., Bonin, Serena, and Bussolati, G.
- Subjects
paraffin embedded tissues ,Blotting, Western ,ethanol based fixation ,functional genomics ,proteomics ,two dimensional electrophoresis ,Biology ,Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Pathology and Forensic Medicine ,Fixatives ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Western blot ,Formaldehyde ,functional genomic ,medicine ,Humans ,Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ,RNA, Neoplasm ,Molecular Biology ,proteomic ,Fixative ,DNA Primers ,Fixation (histology) ,Paraffin Embedding ,Base Sequence ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ,RNA ,DNA, Neoplasm ,Genomics ,Cell Biology ,Immunohistochemistry ,Molecular biology ,Neoplasm Proteins ,Blot ,Biochemistry ,chemistry ,Colonic Neoplasms ,paraffin embedded tissue ,Nucleic acid ,DNA - Abstract
All tissues from biopsy or surgery origin are fixed and paraffin embedded as a routine procedure in the hospital departments of pathology. The traditional method of tissue preservation is the fixation in formalin, followed by paraffin embedding. In this way tissue's integrity is ensured also for future analyses, because there is no further chemical degradation of nucleic acids and proteins in tissues embedded in paraffin. After few sections for the histopathological examination the tissues are stored for decades in the hospital archives. Even if formalin fixation compromises the quality and integrity of nucleic acids, it has already been demonstrated that it is possible to recover and analyze DNA and RNA from these archive's tissues, even of autopsy origin. Protein analysis is on the contrary completely blocked, due to the fact that formalin fixation creates covalent links between proteins and the only way to study protein expression is immunohistochemistry. In this study we present our results concerning the use of a new formalin free fixative, the FineFIX. After extraction of nucleic acids, PCR and RT-PCR analyses were performed in DNA and RNA respectively. For DNA analysis it was possible to obtain amplicons of 2400 bps, while in formalin-fixed samples the maximum length achieved was less than 400 bps. RT-PCR analysis show that it was possible to study RNA fragments of 600 bps from FineFIX fixed tissues, against a maximum length of about 150 bps achieved by formalin-fixed tissues. These tissues were analyzed also by Western Blot analysis, showing that the proteins obtained from FineFIX treated samples are amenable and comparable in quality with those obtained from fresh frozen tissues. Protein extracts from FineFix treated tissues were also compared with fresh tissues'ones by two dimensional electrophoresis, demonstrating that the protein pattern were well comparable for number and distribution of the spots.
- Published
- 2006
40. DNA and RNA obtained from Bouin's fixed tissues
- Author
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Giorgio Stanta, Serena Bonin, F Petrera, J Rosai, Bonin, Serena, Petrera, F, Rosai, J, and Stanta, Giorgio
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Tissue Fixation ,DNA damage ,Breast Neoplasms ,Biology ,Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Pathology and Forensic Medicine ,law.invention ,Fixatives ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Picrates ,law ,Formaldehyde ,PCR amplification ,Humans ,RNA, Neoplasm ,Gene ,Polymerase chain reaction ,Acetic Acid ,Biological Specimen Banks ,Short Reports/Case Reports ,Paraffin Embedding ,Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ,RNA ,DNA, Neoplasm ,General Medicine ,Amplicon ,Molecular biology ,Bouin's fixed tissues ,DNA and RNA ,Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ,chemistry ,Bouin's fixed tissue ,Female ,RNA extraction ,DNA ,DNA Damage - Abstract
Background: The use in many countries of acid fixatives, such as Bouin’s solution, has limited the use of archival tissue for molecular analysis. An acidic environment is one of the main causes of DNA degradation. Moreover, RNA extraction is difficult in these types of fixed tissues. Aims: To amplify DNA and RNA from Bouin’s fixed tissues. Methods: DNA and RNA were extracted from 20 breast cancer samples that had been routinely fixed in Bouin’s fixative. Amplification of several genes using primers that produced amplicons of different lengths was carried out using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for DNA (with and without restoration) and reverse transcription PCR for RNA. Results: The acid environment of Bouin’s fixative damaged both DNA and RNA. However, amplification was successful when the amplicon length was reduced to about 80 bp for RNA and 100–200 bp for DNA, especially if submitted to DNA reconstruction procedures. Conclusions: It is possible to recover and analyse DNA and RNA from Bouin’s fixed and paraffin wax embedded tissues.
- Published
- 2005
41. PCR analysis in archival postmortem tissues
- Author
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Giorgio Stanta, Benedetta Niccolini, F Petrera, Serena Bonin, Bonin, Serena, Petrera, F, Niccolini, B, and Stanta, Giorgio
- Subjects
Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Tissue Fixation ,POST-MORTEM TISSUES ,Biology ,Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Pathology and Forensic Medicine ,law.invention ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Apolipoproteins E ,Short Reports ,Paraffin wax ,law ,Formaldehyde ,pre-PCR ,medicine ,Humans ,Prealbumin ,Pcr analysis ,Gene ,Polymerase chain reaction ,Paraffin Embedding ,Formalin fixed ,DNA ,Molecular biology ,DNA extraction ,Liver ,chemistry ,Autopsy ,Single strand - Abstract
Background: Formalin fixed and paraffin wax embedded tissues of necropsy origin are an important source for molecular analysis especially in rare diseases, neuropathology, or molecular epidemiology studies. Because of DNA degradation, only short sequences can be amplified from this type of tissue, very often less than 100 bases. This poses problems because studies on polymorphism and mutations occurring in large genes often require the analysis of long sequences. Methods: The development of a simple treatment to obtain longer fragments of DNA for the analysis of archival postmortem paraffin wax embedded tissues. Results: It was possible to amplify longer sequences ranging up to 300 bases from postmortem tissues, with no modification to the usual DNA extraction procedures. To obtain longer stretches of DNA, a pre-PCR restoration treatment was required, by filling single strand breaks, followed by a vigorous denaturation step. Conclusions: The development of this simple treatment allowed the analysis of longer fragments of DNA obtained from archival postmortem paraffin wax embedded tissues.
42. Scientific Productions on Precision Livestock Farming: An Overview of the Evolution and Current State of Research Based on a Bibliometric Analysis.
- Author
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Marino R, Petrera F, and Abeni F
- Abstract
The interest in precision livestock farming (PLF)-a concept discussed for the first time in the early 2000s-has advanced considerably in recent years due to its important role in the development of sustainable livestock production systems. However, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the PLF literature is lacking. To address this gap, this study analyzed documents published from 2005 to 2021, aiming to understand the historical influences on technology adoption in livestock farming, identify future global trends, and examine shifts in scientific research on this topic. By using specific search terms in the Web of Science Core Collection, 886 publications were identified and analyzed using the bibliometrix R-package. The analysis revealed that the collection consisted mostly of research articles (74.6%) and reviews (10.4%). The top three core journals were the Journal of Dairy Science , Computers and Electronics in Agriculture , and Animals . Over time, the number of publications has steadily increased, with a higher growth rate in the last five years (29.0%) compared to the initial period (13.7%). Authors and institutions from multiple countries have contributed to the literature, with the USA, the Netherlands, and Italy leading in terms of publication numbers. The analysis also highlighted the growing interest in bovine production systems, emphasizing the importance of behavioral studies in PLF tool development. Automated milking systems were identified as central drivers of innovation in the PLF sector. Emerging themes for the future included "emissions" and "mitigation", indicating a focus on environmental concerns.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Effect of a Polyphenol-Based Additive in Pig Diets in the Early Stages of Growth.
- Author
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Galassi G, Battelli M, Verdile N, Rapetti L, Zanchi R, Arcuri S, Petrera F, Abeni F, and Crovetto GM
- Abstract
The weaning period is a stressful period for the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of piglets. This work aims to evaluate the effects of the commercial polyphenol-based product GreenFIS
® on: (1) GIT health and performance of 60 weaned piglets; (2) digestibility in 18 growing pigs. Three diets were tested: a control diet (C), C plus 2.5 g of GreenFIS® /kg C (T1), and C plus 5 g of GreenFIS® /kg C (T2). After the post-weaning trial three piglets per treatment were sacrificed for the GIT histological analysis. No differences between diets were recorded in terms of growing performance or clinical and biochemical blood parameters. The GIT histological analysis did not show any indicators of inflammation for any of the groups. The feces of the two extreme treatments (C and T2) were analyzed for microbiota, revealing a greater presence of the Ruminococcus bromii group, positively associated with starch degradation, in T2. In the second experiment six pigs per treatment were randomly chosen for the digestibility study. The inclusion of GreenFIS® at both levels led to a higher fecal digestibility of gross energy (86.2%, 89.1%, and 89.5%, for C, T1, and T2, respectively) and crude protein (87.0%, 90.2%, and 90.0%). In conclusion, the additive did not improve, in the excellent experimental hygienic conditions, the gut health, but it did increase nutrient digestibility.- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Unraveling the Relationship between Milk Yield and Quality at the Test Day with Rumination Time Recorded by a PLF Technology.
- Author
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Marino R, Petrera F, Speroni M, Rutigliano T, Galli A, and Abeni F
- Abstract
The study aimed to estimate the components of rumination time (RT) variability recorded by a neck collar sensor and the relationship between RT and milk composition. Milk test day (TD) and RT data were collected from 691 cows in three farms. Daily RT data of each animal were averaged for 3, 7, and 10 days preceding the TD date (RT
D ). Variance component analysis of RTD , considering the effects of farm, cow, parity, TD date, and lactation phase, showed that a farm, followed by a cow, had major contributions to the total variability. The RT10 variable best performed on TD milk yield and quality records across models by a multi-model inference approach and was adopted to study its relationship with milk traits, by linear mixed models, through a 3-level stratification: low (LRT10 ≤ 8 h/day), medium (8 h/day < MRT10 ≤ 9 h/day), and high (HRT10 > 9 h/day) RT. Cows with HRT10 had greater milk, fat, protein, casein, and lactose daily yield, and lower fat, protein, casein contents, and fat to protein ratio compared to MRT10 and LRT10 . Higher percentages of saturated fatty acid and lower unsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acid were found in HRT10 , with respect to LRT10 and MRT10 observations.- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. A Survey of Italian Dairy Farmers' Propensity for Precision Livestock Farming Tools.
- Author
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Abeni F, Petrera F, and Galli A
- Abstract
A targeted survey was designed with the aim of describing the diffusion of precision livestock farming (PLF) tools in one of the most intensive dairy farming provinces in Italy. Technicians at the Provincial Breeder Association of Cremona interviewed 490 dairy farmers and obtained data regarding the role and age of the respondents; the land owned by the farmers; their herd sizes (HS, lactating plus dry cows; small HS < 101, medium HS 101-200, large HS > 200 cows/herd); their average 305 day milk yield (low MY < 9501, medium MY 9501-10,500, high MY > 10,500 kg/head); the cow to employed worker ratio (low CW < 33, medium CW 33-47, high CW > 47 cows/worker); the use of PLF tools to monitor production, reproduction, and health; and the criteria and motivations for investing in PLF tools. The use of automated MY recording and estrus detection systems was primarily associated with HS (more present in larger farms), followed by MY (more present in more productive farms), and then CW (more present with a high cow: worker ratio). Concern about the time required to manage data was the most common subjective issue identified as negatively affecting the purchase of these tools. The future of PLF use in this region will depend upon the availability of an effective selection of tools on the market.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Blood parameters in fattening pigs from two genetic types fed diet with three different protein concentrations.
- Author
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Abeni F, Petrera F, Dal Prà A, Rapetti L, Crovetto GM, and Galassi G
- Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate possible differences between two genetic groups ( GG ) of pigs, fed diets varying in dietary CP level, in hematological and biochemical plasma profiles. The study was carried out in an experimental farm and involved 36 barrows (average BW 129 ± 11 kg) from two GG: group A (18 Italian Duroc boars × Italian Large White sows) and group D (18 DanBred Duroc), fed three experimental diets: a conventional diet and two low-protein diets ( LP1 and LP2 ). A digestibility/balances trial was carried out on 12 pigs A and 12 pigs D that were housed individually in metabolic cages during four digestibility/balances periods. The experimental design was a factorial design, with 3 diets × 2 GG × 4 periods. The experiment lasted 56 d. Blood was sampled from jugular vein in the morning before feed distribution from all barrows in pens at the start and the end of the experimental period; a supplementary blood sample was collected from the 24 pigs at the end of the four digestibility periods (six pigs per period). Blood was analyzed for hematological and biochemical parameters and serum protein profile using automated analyzers. The GG D showed lower white blood cells ( WBC ), lymphocyte, and monocyte counts than A group. The GG affected several plasma metabolite concentrations: triglycerides, creatinine, Cl, Fe, alkaline phosphatase, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activities were higher in D groups, while urea, albumin, Ca, Na, total bilirubin, and albumin as percentage of total protein were lower than A group. On the contrary, the dietary protein level neither affects WBC nor their populations; only a trend was reported for erythrocytes (red blood cell) and platelets. The diet affected only plasma urea and total bilirubin concentrations., (© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope fractionation in body fluid compartments of dairy cattle according to season, farm, breed, and reproductive stage.
- Author
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Abeni F, Petrera F, Capelletti M, Dal Prà A, Bontempo L, Tonon A, and Camin F
- Subjects
- Animals, Breeding, Cattle, Female, Oxygen Isotopes, Reproduction, Agriculture, Body Fluid Compartments chemistry, Hydrogen chemistry, Oxygen chemistry, Seasons
- Abstract
Environmental temperature affects water turnover and isotope fractionation by causing water evaporation from the body in mammals. This may lead to rearrangement of the water stable isotope equilibrium in body fluids. We propose an approach to detect possible variations in the isotope ratio in different body fluids on the basis of different homoeothermic adaptations in varying reproductive stages. Three different reproductive stages (pregnant heifer, primiparous lactating cow, and pluriparous lactating cow) of two dairy cattle breeds (Italian Friesian and Modenese) were studied in winter and summer. Blood plasma, urine, faecal water, and milk were sampled and the isotope ratios of H (2H/1H) and O (18O/16O) were determined. Deuterium excess and isotope-fractionation factors were calculated for each passage from plasma to faeces, urine and milk. The effects of the season, reproductive stages and breed on δ2H and δ18O were significant in all the fluids, with few exceptions. Deuterium excess was affected by season in all the analysed fluids. The correlations between water isotope measurements in bovine body fluids ranged between 0.6936 (urine-milk) and 0.7848 (urine-plasma) for δ2H, and between 0.8705 (urine-milk) and 0.9602 (plasma-milk) for δ18O. The increase in both isotopic δ values in all body fluids during summer is representative of a condition in which fractionation took place as a consequence of a different ratio between ingested and excreted water, which leads to an increased presence of the heavy isotopes. The different body water turnover between adult lactating cattle and non-lactating heifers was confirmed by the higher isotopic δ for the latter, with a shift in the isotopic equilibrium towards values more distant from those of drinking water.
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Intranasal administration of recombinant TRAIL down-regulates CXCL-1/KC in an ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation murine model.
- Author
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Tisato V, Garrovo C, Biffi S, Petrera F, Voltan R, Casciano F, Meroni G, Agnoletto C, Zauli G, and Secchiero P
- Subjects
- Administration, Intranasal, Allergens immunology, Animals, Chemokine CXCL1 genetics, Disease Models, Animal, Down-Regulation, Female, Mice, Ovalbumin immunology, Pneumonia immunology, Recombinant Proteins administration & dosage, Respiratory System drug effects, Respiratory System immunology, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand administration & dosage, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand genetics, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand therapeutic use, Chemokine CXCL1 metabolism, Pneumonia drug therapy, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand pharmacology
- Abstract
Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized BALB/c mice were i.n. instilled with recombinant TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) 24 hours before OVA challenge. The total number of leukocytes and the levels of the chemokine CXCL-1/KC significantly increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids of allergic animals with respect to control littermates, but not in the BAL of mice i.n. pretreated with recombinant TRAIL before OVA challenge. In particular, TRAIL pretreatment significantly reduced the BAL percentage of both eosinophils and neutrophils. On the other hand, when TRAIL was administrated simultaneously to OVA challenge its effect on BAL infiltration was attenuated. Overall, the results show that the i.n. pretreatment with TRAIL down-modulated allergic airway inflammation.
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Plasma estrone sulfate, clinical biochemistry, and milk yield of dairy cows carrying a fetus from a bull or its clone.
- Author
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Abeni F, Capelletti M, Terzano GM, Federici C, Speroni M, Petrera F, Dal Prà A, Galli C, Duchi R, Lazzari G, Pirlo G, and Aleandri R
- Subjects
- Animals, Estrone blood, Female, Male, Pregnancy, Cattle blood, Cloning, Organism veterinary, Estrone analogs & derivatives, Lactation physiology, Milk
- Abstract
The aim of this article was to compare plasma estrone sulfate (E1SO4), clinical biochemistry, and milk yield of dairy cows carrying a female fetus from a bull (BULL) or from its clone (CLONE), evaluating also the relationship between the former variables and the birth weight of the newborn. Sixteen recipient dairy Friesian heifers (10 BULL and 7 CLONE) received a female embryo, obtained by in vitro embryo production and sexing by polymerase chain reaction with the semen of the BULL or the CLONE. Blood samples on all cows were obtained before feed distribution in the morning from jugular vein from 4 weeks before to 4 weeks after calving, to be analyzed for metabolic profile. The samples from late gestation were also analyzed for E1SO4 concentration. To separately assess the effect of calf birth weight (CBW), data were categorized as follows: low (<39 kg; BWT-A), mid (39-46 kg; BWT-B), and high (>46 kg; BWT-C). The plasma concentrations of β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB, P=0.019), Na (P=0.002), Cl (P=0.026), strong cation-anion balance (P=0.020), total bilirubin (P=0.054), and α1-globulin (P=0.044) were higher in prepartum BULL recipients than those in CLONE, whereas BHB (P=0.021) and Mg (P=0.090) were higher in postpartum BULL recipients, while no differences were recorded in the remaining postpartum parameters. The CBW class had significant interaction with week of gestation on antepartum plasma estrone sulfate (P=0.021), whereas CBW per se affected antepartum plasma BHB (P=0.021), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA; P=0.011) being higher in BWT-C which also had the lower NEFA concentration during postpartum. Milk yield was unaffected by the sire used, both for quantitative and qualitative aspects. Cows carrying heavier fetus (BWT-C) had a different lactation affected by month compared with the other 2 CBW groups. From these results, there were no differences between BULL and CLONE recipients. Estrone sulfate, BHB, and NEFA may be used to predict CBW and provide different nutritional management during gestation., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Highly conserved elements discovered in vertebrates are present in non-syntenic loci of tunicates, act as enhancers and can be transcribed during development.
- Author
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Sanges R, Hadzhiev Y, Gueroult-Bellone M, Roure A, Ferg M, Meola N, Amore G, Basu S, Brown ER, De Simone M, Petrera F, Licastro D, Strähle U, Banfi S, Lemaire P, Birney E, Müller F, and Stupka E
- Subjects
- Animals, Base Sequence, Conserved Sequence, Dogs, Fishes genetics, Gene Regulatory Networks, Genes, Homeobox, Genetic Loci, Genome, Humans, Mammals genetics, Mice, Synteny, Transcription, Genetic, Enhancer Elements, Genetic, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Urochordata genetics, Vertebrates genetics
- Abstract
Co-option of cis-regulatory modules has been suggested as a mechanism for the evolution of expression sites during development. However, the extent and mechanisms involved in mobilization of cis-regulatory modules remains elusive. To trace the history of non-coding elements, which may represent candidate ancestral cis-regulatory modules affirmed during chordate evolution, we have searched for conserved elements in tunicate and vertebrate (Olfactores) genomes. We identified, for the first time, 183 non-coding sequences that are highly conserved between the two groups. Our results show that all but one element are conserved in non-syntenic regions between vertebrate and tunicate genomes, while being syntenic among vertebrates. Nevertheless, in all the groups, they are significantly associated with transcription factors showing specific functions fundamental to animal development, such as multicellular organism development and sequence-specific DNA binding. The majority of these regions map onto ultraconserved elements and we demonstrate that they can act as functional enhancers within the organism of origin, as well as in cross-transgenesis experiments, and that they are transcribed in extant species of Olfactores. We refer to the elements as 'Olfactores conserved non-coding elements'.
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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