Due to their importance for the control of meat quality in broiler chickens, the present study aimed at identifying the factors associated with the occurrence of myopathies and characterizing the ...meat properties when affected by myopathies. To this aim, a total of 768 broiler chickens were reared until slaughter (46 d) to evaluate the effect of genotype, gender, and feeding regime (ad libitum vs. restricted rate, 80% from 13 to 21 d of age) on performance and meat quality. Standard broilers were heavier (3,270 vs. 3,139 g; P < 0.001) and showed lower feed conversion (1.56 vs. 1.61; P < 0.001) than the high-yield broilers. Males showed higher final live weight (3,492 vs. 2,845 g) and lower feed conversion (1.54 vs. 1.63) than females (P < 0.001). Feed restriction decreased final live weight (3,194 vs. 3,142 g; P < 0.01) and feed conversion (1.60 vs. 1.57; P < 0.01) compared to ad libitum feeding. At gross examination, feed restriction tended to increase white-striped breasts (69.5 vs. 79.5%; P < 0.10), whereas females showed less wooden breasts than males (8.0 vs. 16.3%; P < 0.05). White-striped fillets had higher pHu (5.87 vs. 5.83), and lower a* (−0.81 vs. −0.59) and b* color indexes (13.7 vs. 14.5) (P < 0.05), whereas wooden breast fillets exhibited higher cooking losses (25.6 vs. 22.1%) and AK-shear force (4.23 vs. 2.84 kg/g) compared with normal fillets (P < 0.001). At histological examination, 3.1% of pectoralis major were normal, 26.6% mildly degenerated, 45.3% moderately degenerated, and 25.0% severely degenerated. In conclusion, genotype had a moderate effect on growth without modifying myopathy occurrence. In contrast, gender and feed restriction affected performance, meat quality, and breast abnormalities.
Animals made dependent via an ethanol (ETOH) -containing liquid diet (6% v/v) for 14 days were subjected to a contextual fear conditioning paradigm 3 days after the last consumption day. After ...conditioning, rats were subjected to four extinction trials by exposing the animals to the conditioned context and their freezing was evaluated for each trial. Immediately after the first extinction trial, animals were injected with
d-cycloserine (DCS) 5 mg/kg i.p., a dose that did not influence the extinction in control rats. Spontaneous recovery of learned fear was tested seven days after the last extinction trial. The following day, animals were subjected to a reacquisition or a reinstatement procedure and their freezing responses evaluated 24 h later. The present study shows that: 1. discontinuation from chronic ETOH administration facilitated the formation of a new fear memory concomitant with a marked resistance to being extinguished, 2. administration of DCS (5 mg/kg) facilitated the extinction process only in ETOH withdrawn rats, 3. both reinstatement and reacquisition procedures restored the increased freezing in ETOH withdrawn animals after extinction, 4. DCS administered immediately after the first extinction trial prevented the increase in freezing following both reacquisition and reinstatement. The enhanced sensitivity to the facilitatory effect of DCS in ETOH withdrawn animals may be mediated by adaptive changes in
N-methyl-
d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor provoked by ETOH dependence.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) requires new neurobiological targets. Problematic drinking involves underactive indirect pathway medium spiny neurons (iMSNs) that subserve adaptive behavioral selection ...vs. overactive direct pathway MSNs (dMSNs) that promote drinking, with a shift from ventromedial to dorsolateral striatal (VMS, DLS) control of EtOH-related behavior. We hypothesized that inhibiting phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A), enriched in striatal MSNs, would reduce EtOH self-administration in rats with a history of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure. To test this, Wistar rats (
= 10/sex) with a history of chronic intermittent EtOH (CIE) vapor exposure received MR1916 (i.p., 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 µmol/kg), a PDE10A inhibitor, before operant EtOH self-administration sessions. We determined whether MR1916 altered the expression of MSN markers (
,
,
,
, and
) and immediate-early genes (IEG) (
,
, Δ
, and
) in EtOH-naïve (
= 5-6/grp) and post-CIE (
= 6-8/grp) rats. MR1916 reduced the EtOH self-administration of high-drinking, post-CIE males, but increased it at a low, but not higher, doses, in females and low-drinking males. MR1916 increased
,
, and
in the DLS, modulated by sex and alcohol history. MR1916 elicited dMSN vs. iMSN markers differently in ethanol-naïve vs. post-CIE rats. High-drinking, post-CIE males showed higher DLS
and VMS IEG expression. Our results implicate a role and potential striatal bases of PDE10A inhibitors to influence post-dependent drinking.
Bifenthrin (BF) is a pyrethroid insecticide widely used in urban and agricultural applications. Previous studies in embryos of zebrafish have shown that BF can affect estradiol biosynthesis and the ...dopaminergic system. To examine the role of the estrogen receptor (ER) in the endocrine effects of BF, embryos were exposed for 96 h to a mixture of 0.15 and 1.5 μg/L BF and an ER agonist (17α-ethynylestradiol – EE2) at 0.09 μg/L. Transcripts related to estrogenic (vitellogenin VTG) and dopaminergic (tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine receptor 1 (DR1), monoamine oxidase (MAO), and catechol-O-methyltransferase b (COMTb)) signaling pathways were investigated by qRT-PCR. Dopamine (DA) and its metabolites (homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC)) were also measured. There was a significant increase in VTG, DR1, MAO and COMTb mRNA levels and HVA-DA ratios within all zebrafish embryos exposed to EE2, including EE2 alone, 0.15 μg/L BF + EE2 and 1.5 μg/L BF + EE2. A significant decrease in homogenate concentrations of DA was observed within all zebrafish embryos exposed to EE2, which included EE2 alone, 0.15 μg/L BF + EE2 and 1.5 μg/L BF + EE2. Co-exposure of BF with EE2 failed to diminish estrogenic or dopaminergic signaling in embryos. Additionally, embryos with diminished ERα expression by morpholino injection were exposed to 0.15 μg/L BF, 1.5 μg/L BF and 0.09 μg/L EE2, with subsequent gene expression measurements. ERα knockdown did not prevent the effects of BF, indicating ERα may have a limited role in the estrogenic and dopaminergic effects caused by BF in zebrafish embryos.
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•BF's antiestrogenic activity in zebrafish embryos might be mediated by ER.•Zebrafish embryos were co-exposed to BF and EE2.•Morpholinos were used to knockdown ERα.•No interaction of EE2 and BF, and ERα knockdown did not alter effects of BF•EE2 altered gene expression and DA levels, and ERα knockdown altered EE2 effects.
To evaluate muscle fiber degeneration (MFD) associated with white striping and wooden breast, pectoralis major of 192 broilers differing for genotype (standard vs. high breast yield), gender, and ...feeding regime (ad libitum vs. restricted rate 80% from 13 to 21 d of age) were sampled at 14, 21, 28, 35, and 46 d of age for histological analyses by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to evaluate tissue morphology, Masson's trichrome to identify collagen presence, and Oil red and Nile blue for lipid presence. Microvessels (diameter ≤15 μm), nuclei positive to anti-cleaved lamin A and monoclonal proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antisera were counted to assess apoptotic and regenerative processes, respectively. Significant differences were found according to feeding system, age, and their interactions. The frequency of chickens with MFD was higher with ad libitum than restricted feeding (75.0% vs. 62.5%; P = 0.01) and increased with age (18.8%, 28.1%, 75.1%, 96.9%, and 96.9% at 14, 21, 28, 35, and 46 d). However, at 14 d a similar frequency (18.8%) was found in all broilers; at 21 d, MFD occurred more in broilers fed ad libitum than in those under restriction (50.0% vs. 6.3%; P < 0.01); at 28 d differences were reduced (87.5% vs. 62.5%; P = 0.10) to disappear by 35 (100% and 93.8%) and 46 d (96.9% and 96.9%). The number of microvessels decreased with age (20.7 to 9.46; P < 0.001) and the number of nuclei positive to the anti-cleaved lamin A antibody increased. At histology, MFD at 46 d corresponded to loss of typical cross striations, massive necrotic process, degenerating fibers surrounded by inflammatory cells, scattered fibers in an abundant collagen-rich connective tissue, numerous adipose cells; necrotic fibers showed a high percentage of apoptotic nuclei, and regenerating fibers appeared positive to anti-PCNA antibody. In conclusion, MFD soon occurred after 2 wk of growth and increased dramatically within 28 d. Early feed restriction reduced MFD as long as animals were restricted, but no residual effect was recorded after re-alimentation.
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•Patagonia is considerably older than previously known (∼2.1vs ∼0.6Ga).•Southern Patagonia and the Malvinas Islands form a single Proterozoic terrane.•Patagonia was linked to the ...Rodinia supercontinent and the Grenvillian orogeny.•Patagonian lithospheric heterogeneities control the formation of ore deposits.
We present mineral chemistry and whole rock major, trace, and platinum group element (PGE) concentrations, and Re-Os isotope data for eighteen mantle xenoliths carried to the surface of southern Patagonia (45°–52°S) by Paleocene to Pleistocene alkaline basalts in seven localities scattered widely across southern South America. The new data along with those previously published show that peridotites derived from the lithospheric mantle of the Deseado Massif (DM), southern Patagonia, have compositions indicative of higher degrees of partial melt extraction compared to those from surrounding regions. Re-depletion model ages (TRD) of mantle xenoliths from the DM (n=20) range from 0.5 to 2.1Ga, with an average of 1.5Ga. In contrast, samples from the surrounding areas (n=39) have a wider range of Re-depletion ages from 0.0 to 2.5Ga, with an average of 1.0Ga. Similar geochemical characteristics are recognized between the lithospheric mantle section of the DM and that beneath East Griqualand (∼1.1Ga), south-eastern Africa, which is related to the Proterozoic Namaqua-Natal Province. The Re-Os systematics of the mantle xenoliths are indicative of Meso to Paleoproterozoic ages for partial melting and stabilization processes of the lithospheric mantle of southern Patagonia, which are considerably older than the crystallization ages obtained for the scarce basement rocks of Patagonia (<0.6Ga). In addition, published elastic thickness (Te) estimates of southern South America show maximum values on the submerged continental region located between the DM and the Malvinas/Falkland Islands, where Grenville-age metamorphic rocks are exposed. These geochemical and geophysical results suggest that southern Patagonia and the Malvinas/Falkland Islands and plateau constitute an integrated and relatively rigid continental block formed mainly during the Meso to Paleoproterozoic as part of the supercontinent Rodinia.
To the north, the formation of the North Patagonian Massif (NPM) seems to be contemporaneous with that of the DM. Nevertheless, its ancient lithospheric mantle and lower crust appear to have been widely eroded and replaced by relatively young convecting mantle, possibly during the Carboniferous collision between the DM and the NPM. The differences between the DM and NPM lithosphere histories apparently controlled the subsequent formation and distribution of Jurassic epithermal Au-Ag deposits.
Fish exhibit complex social behaviours that can influence their stress levels and well-being. However, little is known about the link between social interactions and stress in wild fish, especially ...in running water environments. While many studies have explored the stress axis in fish, most have focused on specific social contexts, leaving gaps in understanding stress responses to social changes. Our study investigated collective behaviour and stress in wild Italian riffle dace (Telestes muticellus) in a controlled experimental setup simulating a natural river system. Results reveal that group-living fish have lower cortisol and oxidative stress levels in muscle tissue compared to solitary counterparts, suggesting a calming effect of conspecific presence. Additionally, we observed upregulated expression of antioxidant enzymes in group-living fish, indicating potential benefits to antioxidant defence systems. These insights shed light on the dynamic relationship between group behaviour and stress in wild fish within running water habitats and emphasise the use of multidisciplinary approaches.
Objective
We evaluated whether the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) provided by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) varies according to biological features in breast cancer.
Methods
DWI was ...performed in 190 patients undergoing dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for local staging. For each of the 192 index cancers we studied the correlation between ADC and classical histopathological and immunohistochemical breast tumour features (size, histological type, grade, oestrogen receptor ER and Ki-67 expression, HER2 status). ADC was compared with immunohistochemical surrogates of the intrinsic subtypes (Luminal A; Luminal B; HER2-enriched; triple-negative). Correlations were analysed using the Mann–Whitney
U
and Kruskal–Wallis
H
tests.
Results
A weak, statistically significant correlation was observed between ADC values and the percentage of ER-positive cells (-0.168,
P
= 0.020). Median ADC values were significantly higher in ER-negative than in ER-positive tumours (1.110 vs 1.050 × 10
-3
mm
2
/s,
P
= 0.015). HER2-enriched tumours had the highest median ADC value (1.190 × 10
-3
mm
2
/s, range 0.950–2.090). Multiple comparisons showed that this value was significantly higher than that of Luminal A (1.025 × 10
-3
mm
2
/s 0.700–1.340,
P
= 0.004) and Luminal B/HER2-negative (1.060 × 10
-3
mm
2
/s 0.470–2.420,
P
= 0.008) tumours. A trend towards statistical significance (
P
= 0.018) was seen with Luminal B/HER2-positive tumours.
Conclusions
ADC values vary significantly according to biological tumour features, suggesting that cancer heterogeneity influences imaging parameters.
Key Points
•
DWI may identify biological heterogeneity of breast neoplasms.
•
ADC values vary significantly according to biological features of breast cancer.
•
Compared with other types, HER2-enriched tumours show highest median ADC value.
•
Knowledge of biological heterogeneity of breast neoplasm may improve imaging interpretation.
The dopaminergic effect of PAH and PFAS mixtures, prepared according to environmentally relevant concentrations, has been studied in juvenile female Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Benzoapyrene, ...dibenzothiophene, fluorene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene were used to prepare a PAH mixture, while PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, and PFTrA were used to prepare a PFAS mixture. Cod were injected intraperitoneally twice, with either a low (1×) or high (20×) dose of each compound mixture or their combinations. After 2 weeks of exposure, levels of plasma 17β-estradiol (E2) were significantly elevated in high PAH/high PFAS treated group. Brain dopamine/metabolite ratios (DOPAC/dopamine and HVA+DOPAC/dopamine) changed with E2 plasma levels, except for high PAH/low PFAS and low PAH/high PFAS treated groups. On the transcript levels, th mRNA inversely correlated with dopamine/metabolite ratios and gnrh2 mRNA levels. Respective decreases and increases of drd1 and drd2a after exposure to the high PAH dose were observed. Specifically, high PFAS exposure decreased both drds, leading to high plasma E2 concentrations. Other studied end points suggest that these compounds, at different doses and combinations, have different toxicity threshold and modes of action. These effects indicate potential alterations in the feedback signaling processes within the dopaminergic pathway by these contaminant mixtures.
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