Brain Mass and Encephalization Quotients in the Domestic Industrial Pig (Sus scrofa)

open6siIn the present study we examined the brain of fetal, newborn, and adult pigs raised for meat production. The fresh and formalin-fixed weights of the brain have been recorded and used, together with body weight, to calculate the Encephalization Quotient (EQ). The weight of the cerebellum has been used to calculate the Cerebellar Quotient (CQ). The results have been discussed together with analogue data obtained in other terrestrial Cetartiodactyla (including the domestic bovine, sheep, goat, and camel), domesticated Carnivora, Proboscidata, and Primates. Our study, based on a relatively large experimental series, corrects former observations present in the literature based on smaller samples, and emphasizes that the domestic pig has a small brain relative to its body size (EQ = 0.38 for adults), possibly due to factors linked to the necessity of meat production and improved body weight. Comparison with other terrestrial Cetartiodactyla indicates a similar trend for all domesticated species.openMinervini, Serena; Accogli, Gianluca; Pirone, Andrea; Graïc, Jean-Marie; Cozzi, Bruno; Desantis, SalvatoreMinervini, Serena; Accogli, Gianluca; Pirone, Andrea; Graic, JEAN-MARIE; Cozzi, Bruno; Desantis, Salvator

Parvalbumin expression in the claustrum of the adult dog. An immunohistochemical and topographical study with comparative notes on the structure of the nucleus

Although the detailed structure and function of the claustrum remain enigmatic, its extensive reciprocal connection with the cortex suggests a role in the integration of multisensory information. Claustrum samples, obtained from necropsy of four dogs, were formalin fixed for paraffin embedding. Sections were either stained for morpho-histological analysis or immunostained for parvalbumin (PV). We focused on PV because in cortical and hippocampal areas it is a marker of the fast-splicing interneurons which have an important role in the information transmission and processing. Soma area, perimeter and circularity were considered as morphological parameters to quantitatively group the PV positive somata by k-means clustering. The histological investigation revealed a superior pyramidoid puddle and a posterior puddle characterized by a "cloud" of neurons in its dorso-lateral part. Immunostaining showed positive somata and fibers throughout the rostro-caudal extent of the dog claustrum, localized principally in the dorsal region. k-Means clustering analysis enabled neuron classification according to size, identifying respectively big (radius = 11.42 +/- 1.99 mu m) and small (radius = 6.33 +/- 1.08 mu m) cells. No statistical differences in soma shape were observed. The topographical distribution of PV immunoreactivity suggests that the dog dorsal claustrum might be functionally related to the processing of visual inputs. Taken together our findings may help in the understanding the physiology of claustrum when compared with anatomical and functional data obtained in other species

Novel application of Ru-based catalysts on MgAl oxides alkaline adsorbents for cyclic CO2 methanation

This study explores the performances of Ru-based catalysts with a low metal content (2 wt%) supported on MgO and Mg-Al Oxides (MgAl) for cyclic CO2 adsorption and methanation at atmospheric pressure. Adsorption and desorption tests demonstrated that MgAl-based catalysts are more promising for CO2 capture due to their larger surface area and better distribution of active sites (Mg2+–O2-). Moreover, doping the MgAl support with K2CO3 further improves surface alkalinity and, consequently, capture performance. During cyclic operations, all the catalysts proved effective and selective for methane production. To simulate realistic conditions, both dry and wet CO2 adsorptions were conducted before the methanation stage. The presence of moisture positively influenced gas carbonation for all catalysts, increasing the overall amount of CO2 captured. Specifically, Ru/MgAl exhibited the best performance in terms of adsorption and conversion to methane (approximately 85 % after dry adsorption and 79 % after wet adsorption), with a maximum methane production of 183 and 220 μmolCH4 g−1, respectively. The reaction yield was further enhanced with Ru-K/MgAl, achieving 327 μmolCH4 g−1 after dry adsorption and 333 μmolCH4 g−1 after wet adsorption. However, this catalyst displays different conversion kinetics, attributed to slowed carbonate migration, low Ru dispersion, limited specific surface area, and excessive carbonation strength. Operando FTIR tests revealed differences in reaction intermediates between Ru/MgAl and Ru-K/MgAl, by going deeper into the kinetic differences observed. The study concludes that Ru/MgAl materials are highly promising catalysts for CO2 adsorption and methane production, supporting the development of technologies for CO2 abatement and renewable energy utilisation

Study of ceria-composite materials for high-temperature CO2 capture and their ruthenium functionalization for methane production

A set of Dual Function Materials (DFMs) was prepared to seize the CO2 from a rich feed gas and to in-situ convert it to methane (synthetic natural gas). Specifically, ruthenium-ceria composite materials were synthesized through successive impregnation depositions on two high surface area supports, namely Al2O3 and ZSM-5. Cerium oxide has both the roles of CO2 adsorbent and promoter support for ruthenium, which represents the active component for methanation. Three different quantities of ceria (10, 20, and 30 wt%) were dispersed onto the solid supports, and the adsorption capacities of the ceria-based materials were studied at different temper-atures (150, 200, and 250 degrees C) at atmospheric pressure. The samples exhibiting the best results in terms of CO2 adsorption (30 wt% CeO2/Al2O3 and 30 wt% CeO2/ZSM-5) were subsequently impregnated to obtain ruthenium-loaded catalysts (2 wt% Ru). These functionalized materials were characterized by XRD, N2 physisorption at -196 degrees C, TPDRO, ICP-MS, XPS, FESEM, HRTEM, and FT-IR. Then, cyclic experiments of CO2 adsorption and methanation were performed, simulating a real use of the catalysts at 250 degrees C and atmospheric pressure. The deposition of ruthenium-ceria on a high surface area support was found to be crucial for maintaining the methanation activity of this catalytic system under cyclic CO2 adsorption-hydrogenation conditions. The Al2O3- supported ruthenium-ceria catalyst adsorbed a lower amount of CO2 (ca. 200 mu mol g-1 per each cycle) with respect to the zeolite-supported sample (ca. 300 mu mol g-1); nevertheless, the former material presented the best methanation performances, thanks to an intermediate ruthenium-ceria interaction, yielding a maximum of 51% of CO2 converted and producing up to 111 mu mol g-1 of CH4

Preferential epithelial expression of type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) in the developing canine embryo

The use of cannabinoid receptor agonists is gaining a strong interest both in human and veterinary medicine. The potential use of cannabimimetic compounds in companion animals was reviewed in 2007 for their role in tissue inflammation and pain. A better knowledge of type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) expression on the target population may help in risk management in order to prevent unwanted side effects. We used 30-days old canine embryos to describe the distribution of CB1R by means of immunohistochemistry with a commercially available antibody.CB1R immunoreactivity was mainly epithelial and included most structures of central and peripheral nervous system, inner ear, olfactory epithelium and related structures, eye and thyroid. Further investigative research on the role of the endocannabinoid system in the developmental biology field is needed, however, we show that in the canine species we must consider pregnancy as risk condition for developmental abnormalities that may arise upon the use of CB1R receptor agonists

Cannabinoid receptor types 1 and 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α: distribution in the skin of clinically healthy cats and cats with hypersensitivity dermatitis

Background: Cannabinoid receptors and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) are gaining recognition as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of skin disorders. Hypothesis/Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of cannabinoid type 1 and 2 receptors (CBR1 and CBR2) and PPAR-α in feline skin and verify whether changes occur in the course of hypersensitivity dermatitis. Animals: Twelve privately owned cats. Skin samples were obtained from five healthy cats with no skin lesions and seven cats clinically diagnosed with hypersensitivity dermatitis. Methods and materials: Haematoxylin and eosin stained skin sections were investigated for histopathological changes. Indirect immunofluorescence for CBR1, CBR2 and PPAR-α was performed on paraffin-embedded sections, and antibody specificity tested by Western blot analysis. Results: Skin samples from cats with hypersensitivity dermatitis were all histopathologically diagnosed with eosinophilic dermatitis. CB receptors and PPAR-α were distributed throughout the skin in both healthy and allergic cats. In normal feline skin, these receptors were mainly distributed in the epithelial compartment. Receptor expression increased in hypersensitivity compared to healthy skin, with the main distribution changes being suprabasal for CBR1, dermal for CBR2 and marked expression of PPAR-α in hyperplastic epidermis and perivascular infiltrate. Conclusions and clinical importance: Increased expression of cannabinoid receptors in the skin of cats with hypersensitivity dermatitis suggests an endogenous protective strategy and may support the use of natural cannabinoid receptor or PPAR-α agonists to treat feline hypersensitivity dermatitis

Osteopontin expression in healing wounds of horses and in human keloids

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Convincing evidence shows that persistent or excessive expression of osteopontin (OPN) is linked to fibroproliferation of various organs in laboratory animals and in man, such that its downregulation is a logical therapeutic objective. OBJECTIVES: To investigate OPN expression in an equine model of wound healing and in clinical specimens of equine exuberant granulation tissue and human keloids in an effort to better understand the contribution of this protein to inflammation-associated skin fibrosis. STUDY DESIGN: Description of gene and protein expression in an experimental equine model of wound healing and clinical specimens in horse and man. METHODS: Osteopontin gene expression was evaluated by quantitative PCR, while protein expression was investigated by means of immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Quantitative PCR showed that the OPN gene is expressed in normal intact skin of horses and continues to be expressed during the wound-healing process. An increase in gene expression was observed throughout the phases of wound healing, with a final decrease at wound closure. The protein was not detected in normal skin. Keratinocytes in wound-edge samples did not express the protein, whereas dermal immunoreactivity was confined to inflammatory cells. Healed wounds were devoid of staining. Equine exuberant granulation tissue showed immunoreactivity of the surrounding epidermis, infiltrating neutrophils, mononuclear cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Human keloids showed OPN immunoreactivity throughout the epidermis as well as in mononuclear cells and scattered fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Immunohistochemical data show a different pattern of expression between normally healing and fibrotic wounds (exuberant granulation tissue and keloids), thus suggesting a role in fibroproliferation in horses and man

Aqueous phase reforming of lignin-rich hydrothermal liquefaction by-products: a study on catalyst deactivation

The water fraction derived from the hydrothermal liquefaction of a lignin-rich feedstock was subjected to aqueous phase reforming to produce hydrogen. Deactivation of the catalyst was observed, and it was ascribed to fouling phenomena caused by phenolic oligomers. Simple aromatics like guaiacol and phenol, as well as in-organics, were proved not to be the cause of the deactivation thanks to the use of a multi-component synthetic mixture. The influence of using activated carbon as a pretreatment was studied, leading to a strong improvement of the performance when it was carried out at high temperature. The extent of deactivation was assessed using aqueous phase reforming of glycolic acid as a model reaction test. The results were found to be correlated with the surface area of the catalyst. A thermal regeneration in inert conditions was evaluated as a mode of catalyst regeneration. While the textural properties were partially recovered, the performance of the catalyst only slightly improved. A spectroscopic analysis of the solids in the aqueous solution was carried out, highlighting the structural similarities between their nature and the lignin residue. The results obtained in this study helped to enlarge the knowledge on the aqueous phase reforming of real complex mixtures, looking at indicators of paramount importance for a possible industrial application such as the stability of the catalyst