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Specific characteristics of the eggs from nucleus populations of Ancona (AN), Bianca di Saluzzo (BS), Bionda Piemontese (BP), Livorno, Mericanel della Brianza (MB), Mugellese (MU), Siciliana (SI) and Valdarnese (VA) chicken breeds kept in University Research Centres across Italy were evaluated. The physical characteristics considered were whole egg weight and shell, yolk and albumen proportion. The chemical characteristics considered were dry matter (DM), ash and protein content of the yolk and albumen, and the yolk fat. Among the breed groups evaluated in this study, BS and BP produce large eggs that are rich in total crude protein and lipids, with abundant egg whites. MB and MU produce small eggs with a high yolk percentage. AN and SI hens produce medium-small-sized eggs. The heaviest yolks were observed in AN eggs, and the highest shell percentage was found in SI eggs. LB and VA produce medium-large-sized eggs with low yolk lipid content.

This study provides a comparative assessment of fresh semen quality and sensitivity to cryopreservation in several Italian chicken breeds. The research involved 145 roosters from 13 breeds. The results showed a wide variability in all the parameters considered among the different breeds, especially in the quantitative variables of fresh semen, such as volume and concentration. For the qualitative characteristics (sperm membrane integrity and motility parameters), the variability across breeds was more pronounced for frozen than fresh semen. Interestingly, apart from total motility in fresh semen, breed had a significant effect on all semen quality parameters in both fresh and thawed ejaculates. Considering the overall qualitative characteristics, the Robusta maculata, Siciliana, and Mericanel della Brianza breeds produced ejaculates with better semen quality compared to other Italian breeds. By evaluating the main parameters of semen quality, our results underline the potential of these traits to influence the reproductive success and genetic conservation. The Bionda piemontese, Bianca di Saluzzo, Livorno bianca, Pepoi, and Siciliana breeds showed better resilience to cryopreservation, suggesting the need for breed-specific protocols to optimise semen quality after thawing. Importantly, the research highlights the central role of semen quality for both immediate fertilisation success and long-term conservation efforts. Future studies integrating OMICS technologies could elucidate molecular markers influencing breed-specific differences, helping to refine cryopreservation techniques and improve conservation strategies for indigenous Italian chicken breeds. This work contributes valuable insights to global efforts aimed at safeguarding poultry genetic diversity and sustainability.

Abstract The waveform of ventricular action potential (AP) is a key determinant of the cardiac cycle, a marker of beating pathophysiology, and a target for anti‐arrhythmic drug design. The information contained in the waveform, though, is limited to the actual dynamics of the AP under consideration. By measuring quasi‐instantaneous current–voltage relationships during repolarization, I propose a three‐dimensional representation of the ventricular AP which includes potential dynamic responses that the beat can show when electrically perturbed. This representation is described in the case of a numerically reconstructed ventricular AP, but it can be, at least partially, derived in real cardiomyocytes. Simulation allows to disclose the potentialities and the limitations of the approach, that can be extended to any non‐cardiac AP. By reporting, at any AP time, the ion current available within the physiological membrane potential range at that time, the representation makes all together available: (1) refractory period, (2) thresholds for eliciting full or calcium‐driven APs, (3) threshold for all‐or‐none repolarization, (4) membrane resistance during repolarization, (5) the safety of membrane repolarization. It provides further evidence of a negative membrane resistance during the late phase of ventricular AP and a quantitative estimate of repolarization reserve (RR), key determinants of repolarization dynamics.

Abstract Genetic analyses through molecular markers always depend on efficient protocols for DNA extraction and standardized PCR conditions. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is an inexpensive protocol that can provide information about the genetic diversity among Capsicum accessions within a germplasm bank, but it is highly sensitive to reaction conditions and manipulation. This work presents an optimized protocol for DNA isolation from dry Capsicum seeds, and a standardization of five conditions for PCR using RAPD primers. The RAPD protocol was optimized for the following parameters: 50 ng of DNA template per mix, 2.5 mM MgCl2, 200 µM dNTP's, 25 ng of primer per mix, and 45 thermal cycles, resulting in reproducible and clear amplified fragments. Good quality products were presented in the extractions and amplifications carried out; therefore, the optimized protocols are sufficient to be used in future work with RAPD.

Background: Ascites is common in advanced gastrointestinal cancers with peritoneal metastases (PM) and negatively impacts patient survival. No study to date has specifically evaluated the relationship between ascites, PM and survival outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and metastatic gastric cancer (mGC). Objectives: This study aims to investigate and elucidate the relationship between malignant ascites, PM and survival outcomes in both mCRC and mGC patients. Design: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected clinical trial data of mCRC and mGC patients with PM. Methods: We performed two pooled analyses, firstly of two Italian randomized trials enrolling patients with mCRC eligible for systemic therapy (TRIBE2; VALENTINO), and secondly of gastric cancer and peritoneal metastasis (GCPM) patients who underwent bi-directional therapeutic treatment comprising systemic and peritoneal-directed therapies. Results: Of 900 mCRC patients, 39 (4.3%) had PM with malignant ascites. Compared to the group without PM, median progression-free and overall survival were significantly inferior in the ascites group (hazard ratio (HR) for progression-free survival (PFS) 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21–2.35, p = 0.007; HR for overall survival (OS) 2.14, 95% CI: 1.57–3.01, p

The workforce is aging and becoming more age‐diverse. To better support people working across the lifespan, it is important to understand the barriers they face and the consequences of such barriers. Drawing on the job demands‐resources model, we evaluate the negative effects of age discrimination on employees' perceived work ability and the subsequent consequences for employee well‐being, performance, and motivation. Using two field samples, with two and three data collection time‐points respectively, we hypothesize and find support for age discrimination's direct negative effect on perceived work ability. Moreover, we find support for our hypotheses that age discrimination will have negative indirect effects on employee well‐being, performance, and motivation through perceived work ability. Together, these studies contribute to the aging workforce literature and extend both the age discrimination and work ability literatures by identifying a mechanism through which age discrimination leads to negative consequences for employee well‐being and work outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The molecular profile of colorectal cancer (CRC) plays a crucial role in understanding patient prognosis and treatment response. Within CRC, a distinct subgroup can be identified by the presence of the BRAF V600E mutation. This specific mutation, classified as Class I of BRAF mutations, is known to be associated with a poor prognosis and resistance to standard therapy. To determine the most effective treatment approach for this specific subgroup of CRC, we conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare various pharmacological interventions and evaluate their relative effectiveness in BRAF-mutated CRCs. Materials and methods: On July 31, 2023, we conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase. The inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) reporting of outcomes in patients with BRAF-mutated CRC who underwent first-line chemotherapy; 2) reporting of survival information as hazard ratios (HR); and 3) publication in English. The data were combined using HRs for overall and progression-free survival (OS and PFS) using random-effects models. NMA was performed under the Bayesian framework, utilizing the GeMTC package. The relative rankings of the treatments were determined using SUCRA scores. Results: A total of 16 studies were included. When compared to standard chemotherapy (CT) doublets (such as FOLFOX or FOLFIRI), none of the comparison arms demonstrated a gain in OS. CT doublet + bevacizumab did not show significant superiority over either CT doublet alone or 5FU/capecitabine + bevacizumab. FOLFOXIRI and FOLFOXIRI + bevacizumab did not show superiority over any other treatment schedule that was compared. CT doublets + bevacizumab had the highest SUCRA score (0.87), followed by single-agent fluoropyrimidines + bevacizumab (0.61), and FOLFOXIRI (0.56). Regarding PFS, no regimen was found to be superior to the combination of CT doublet plus bevacizumab. However, FOLFOXIRI + bevacizumab + atezolizumab showed a tendency towards better results (HR = 0.26, 95 % CI 0.05–1.1). Conclusions: Our review suggests that a CT doublet with bevacizumab is the most favorable option for OS. However, a reasonable alternative could be a triplet CT without bevacizumab.

In naturally flowing waters, communities are expected to increase their taxonomic and functional diversity as well as increase the complexity of food web architecture along the longitudinal gradient from headwaters to mouth. However, these theories do not necessarily apply to dammed rivers. We analysed fish communities at 12 locations along the 1700 km stretch of the transnational Uruguay River. We determined species richness, beta-diversity and its components (turnover and nestedness), trophic diversity, and isotopic niches at community level, with particular focus on areas upstream and downstream of the four existing dams. We estimated trophic diversity metrics based on diet analysis, and isotopic niche breadth based on Bayesian isotopic niche models. We detected consistent longitudinal changes, supporting predictions from the River Continuum Concept. However, taxonomic richness, trophic diversity, and isotopic niche decreased abruptly immediately downstream of dams, and the component contributing the most to beta diversity was turnover, with the highest values occurring mainly after the cascade of dams in the upper Uruguay River, fitting expectations from the Serial Discontinuity Concept. The dam-free stretches of the Uruguay River allowed the recovery of ecological diversity as fish richness and trophic and isotopic niche increased. The negative impacts of dams should urgently be considered in the Neotropics, where many large dams are projected.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common joint diseases worldwide, predominantly present in elderly people. Being a major source of pain for patients, it is debilitating and leads inevitably to a reduction in quality of life. The management of OA needs a personalized and multidimensional approach, resulting in the emergence of new regenerative and non-invasive methods, such as the use of micrografts. In this pilot study, Rigenera® Technology was employed to obtain micrografts of cartilage tissue to be injected into the knees of 10 patients with osteoarthritic pain. To assess the efficacy of the treatment concerning pain reduction at this site, patients were asked to complete KOOS and WOMAC questionnaire and a VAS test before and after the procedure. The results presented in this article show how Rigenera® treatment can potentially improve OA symptoms, alleviating pain in patients.

Light traps are devices utilized in biomonitoring studies across various aquatic environments. Although light traps are used globally, few studies report their efficacy in capturing fish larvae in the Neotropics. To address this gap, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of light traps in capturing larvae of six fish species commonly found in Neotropical rivers. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the effect of light color on larval capture. To accomplish this, we selected larvae from six species: Cyprinus carpio, Ctenopharingodon idella, Piaractus mesopotamicus, Pimelodus maculatus, Prochilodus lineatus, and Rhamdia quelen. Each experiment lasted seven days, and six types of traps were tested, including those without light (control) and those with light (green, red, yellow, white, and blue), and installed in triplicate. A total of 18 traps were randomly positioned in earthen ponds containing the six species of interest. Each species was assessed separately in six experiments. Larvae were counted, measured, and identified daily according to their developmental stage. The light traps collected 30,498 larvae, whereas the control traps only collected 39 larvae by the end of the experiment. Larvae from species of the Cypriniformes order were the most captured, while those from the Siluriformes order were least captured. The light traps exhibited selectivity in capturing larvae at different developmental stages, which varied according to species. Traps installed with green lights captured a greater number of larvae and were more efficient at capturing larvae from a wider variety of species. In contrast, traps installed with red light led to the capture of fewer larvae. Therefore, by their ability to attract a greater number of larvae, compared to control, and selectively capture larvae at different developmental stages at variable rates, depending on light source, light traps can be a valuable tool in biomonitoring and managing fish larvae in Neotropical environments.

Abstract Background Pancreatic cancer (PC) first‐line therapy often consists of polychemotherapy regimens, but choosing a second‐line therapy after disease progression, especially following first‐line FOLFIRINOX, remains a clinical challenge. This study presents results from a large, multicenter, retrospective analysis of Italian patients with metastatic PC (mPC) treated with Nab‐paclitaxel/Gemcitabine (AG) as second or later line of treatment. Main objective of the study is to identify prognostic factors that could inform treatment decisions. Methods The study included 160 mPC patients treated with AG in 17 Italian institutions. AG was administered according to labelling dose, until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient refusal. Variations in schedules, dose modifications, supportive measures, and response evaluation were determined by individual clinicians' practice. Results AG was well‐tolerated and exhibited promising clinical activity. The overall response rate (ORR) and the disease control rate (DCR) were 22.5% and 45.6%, respectively. Median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 3.9 and 6.8 months, respectively. Among the patients who received AG as a second‐line therapy (n = 111, 66.9%), median PFS and OS were 4.2 and 7.4 months, respectively. Notably, in the 76 patients (68%) receiving AG after first‐line FOLFIRINOX, an ORR of 19.7% and a DCR of 46.0% were observed, resulting in a median PFS of 3.5 and median OS of 5.7 months. The study identified specific clinical or laboratory parameters (LDH, NLR, fasting serum glucose, liver metastases, ECOG PS, and first‐line PFS) as independent prognostic factors at multivariate level. These factors were used to create a prognostic nomogram that divided patients into three risk classes, helping to predict second‐line OS and PFS. Conclusions This study represents the largest real‐world population of mPC patients treated with AG as a second or later line of therapy. It supports the feasibility of this regimen following first‐line FOLFIRINOX, particularly in patients with specific clinical and laboratory characteristics who derived prolonged benefit from first‐line therapy.

The aim of the present research is to investigate breeders’ management strategies and their effects on reproductive performances in heritage breeds. A total of 468 litters were analysed: Belgian Hare (N = 151), Burgundy Fawn (N = 105), Californian (N = 212). Litter size (born alive), percentage of weaned kits and percentage of selected kits were analysed using a model that included the effects of breed, year of birth, litter’s origin (with three levels: both internal parents = 0, one outside parent = 1 both outside parents = 2) and their interactions (breed*year of birth, breed*litter’s origin, year of birth*litter’s origin, breed*year of birth*litter’s origin). Besides, number of litters per buck and number of litters per doe were analysed using a model with only effect of breed. All these analyses were carried out with SPSS software. No effects of breeds on litter size, percentage of weaned and percentage of selected kits were found. Year of birth presented significant effects on litter size and percentage of weaned kits (p ≤ 0.05). The inclusion of external breeders didn’t significantly influence analysed reproductive data. The number of litters per buck and per doe were not influenced by breed. The frequency of external breeders’ inclusion is breed specific. Data recording is a basic step in phenotypical characterization, our results supply some information about breeders’ management strategies and their effects on some reproductive parameters. Our results show breed specific frequencies of inclusions of external breeders and a positive effect of management procedures (genetic plus environment) on percentage of weaned kits according to the year of birth.HIGHLIGHTS Breeders management and reproductive parameters have been described The most frequent combination is a home bred doe mated to an external male A mean of 2 litters per doe and per buck have calculated in all the breeds The frequency of use of external breeders is breed specific

Abstract This publication is an update of the “Consensus on the therapeutic management of atopic dermatitis - Brazilian Society of Dermatology” published in 2019, considering the novel, targeted-oriented systemic therapies for atopic dermatitis. The initial recommendations of the current consensus for systemic treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis were based on a recent review of scientific published data and a consensus was reached after voting. The Brazilian Society of Dermatology invited 31 experts from all regions of Brazil and 2 international experts on atopic dermatitis who fully contributed to the process. The methods included an e-Delphi study to avoid bias, a literature search and a final consensus meeting. The authors added novel approved drugs in Brazil and the indication for phototherapy and systemic therapy for AD. The therapeutical response to systemic treatment is hereby reported in a suitable form for clinical practice and is also part of this updated manuscript.

Brazil is one of the countries most affected by COVID-19, with the highest number of deaths recorded. Brazilian Health Institutions have reported four main peaks of positive COVID-19 cases. The last two waves were characterized by the emergence of the VOC Omicron and its sublineages. This study aimed to conduct a retrospective surveillance study illustrating the emergence, dissemination, and diversification of the VOC Omicron in 15 regional health units (RHUs) in MG, the second most populous state in Brazil, by combining epidemiological and genomic data. A total of 5643 confirmed positive COVID-19 samples were genotyped using the panels TaqMan SARS-CoV-2 Mutation and 4Plex SC2/VOC Bio-Manguinhos to define mutations classifying the BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 sublineages. While sublineages BA.1 and BA.2 were more prevalent during the third wave, BA.4 and BA.5 dominated the fourth wave in the state. Epidemiological and viral genome data suggest that age and vaccination with booster doses were the main factors related to clinical outcomes, reducing the number of deaths, irrespective of the Omicron sublineages. Complete genome sequencing of 253 positive samples confirmed the circulation of the BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 subvariants, and phylogenomic analysis demonstrated that the VOC Omicron was introduced through multiple international events, followed by transmission within the state of MG. In addition to the four subvariants, other lineages have been identified at low frequency, including BQ.1.1 and XAG. This integrative study reinforces that the evolution of Omicron sublineages was the most significant factor driving the highest peaks of positive COVID-19 cases without an increase in more severe cases, prevented by vaccination boosters.

We herein evaluated the hematology and parasitology of Nile tilapia previously raised in an earthen pond and transferred to a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to verify any possible influence of RAS on such health parameters. For this, 780 tilapias with an initial average weight and length of 91.05 ± 27.08 g and 17.45 ± 1.91 cm, respectively, were distributed in three tanks (2.0 m3) attached to the RAS, where they remained for 54 d. Throughout the period, water quality parameters remained within the range suitable for the cultivation of the species. Tilapia growth performance was satisfactory in the RAS, reaching a final biomass of close to 300 kg and survival of 98%. Hematological and parasitological analyses at the end of 54 d showed possible stress in RAS, with a significant increase in neutrophils from 12.15 ± 6.66 (earthen pond) to 21.43 ± 11.68% (RAS) and erythrocytes from 1.81 ± 0.24 (earthen pond) to 2.13 ± 0.14 (RAS), and a significant decrease in lymphocytes from 22.4 ± 2.66 (earthen pond) to 13.67 ± 3.38 (RAS). Furthermore, parasitological analysis showed a significant increase in the number of parasitized fish (25% to 63%) and abundance (3.55 ± 6.44 to 9.37 ± 9.99) after 54 d. It was concluded that tilapia cultivation in RAS can cause hematological changes and increase parasitism.