No abstract

Hydroids in the genus Zanclea are a recently discovered component of the fauna associated with reef‐building corals. The phylogenetic relationships among these species are not well known. The present work is based on field surveys in the Republic of Maldives, and for the first time, morphological and molecular analyses are integrated to distinguish a new hydroid species and provide new information on the ecology of this symbiosis. This new hydroid, Zanclea gallii sp. n., was associated with the scleractinian Acropora muricata; it was living sympatrically with its congener Zanclea sango, which was observed for the first time at this locality on the new scleractinian host Pavona varians. The relationships between these two hydroids and other available scleractinian‐associated Zanclea were investigated using two molecular markers, nuclear 28S rDNA and mitochondrial 16S rRNA. Zanclea gallii sp. n. and Z. sango were recovered as distinct lineages within a monophyletic group of scleractinian‐associated Zanclea based on both molecular and morphological data. All Zanclea species that were observed living in association with scleractinians belong to the ‘polymorpha group’ and share the morphological characteristic ‘polymorphic colony’. The genus Leptoseris is the 16th host coral identified for Zanclea. Compared with the frequency of the Z. gallii sp. n. association with A. muricata and Z. sango with the scleractinian P. varians, the latter is twice as common; however, the former exhibited higher Zanclea polyps concentrations over the colony surface. Overall, the Zanclea survey indicates that these diminutive hydroids are more commonly associated with coral than previously known.

The Odonata are considered among the most endangered freshwater faunal taxa. Their DNA‐based monitoring relies on validated reference data sets that are often lacking or do not cover important biogeographical centres of diversification. This study presents the results of a DNA barcoding campaign on Odonata, based on the standard 658‐bp 5′ end region of the mitochondrial COI gene, involving the collection of 812 specimens (409 of which barcoded) from peninsular Italy and its main islands (328 localities), belonging to all the 88 species (31 Zygoptera and 57 Anisoptera) known from the country. Additional BOLD and GenBank data from Holarctic samples expanded the data set to 1,294 DNA barcodes. A multi‐approach species delimitation analysis involving two distance (OT and ABGD) and four tree‐based (PTP, MPTP, GMYC and bGMYC) methods was used to explore these data. Of the 88 investigated morphospecies, 75 (85%) unequivocally corresponded to distinct molecular operational units, whereas the remaining ones were classified as ‘warnings’ (i.e. showing a mismatch between morphospecies assignment and DNA‐based species delimitation). These results are in contrast with other DNA barcoding studies on Odonata showing up to 95% of identification success. The species causing warnings were grouped into three categories depending on if they showed low, high or mixed genetic divergence patterns. The analysis of haplotype networks revealed unexpected intraspecific complexity at the Italian, Palearctic and Holarctic scale, possibly indicating the occurrence of cryptic species. Overall, this study provides new insights into the taxonomy of odonates and a valuable basis for future DNA and eDNA‐based monitoring studies.

Scleractinian reef corals have recently been acknowledged as the most numerous host group found in association with hydroids belonging to the Zanclea genus. However, knowledge of the molecular phylogenetic relationships among Zanclea species associated with scleractinians is just beginning. This study, using the nuclear 28S rDNA region and the fast-evolving mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI genes, provides the most comprehensive phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Zanclea with a particular focus on the genetic diversity among Zanclea specimens associated with 13 scleractinian genera. The monophyly of Zanclea associated with scleractinians was strongly supported in all nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenetic reconstructions. Furthermore, a combined mitochondrial 16S and COI phylogenetic tree revealed a multitude of hidden molecular lineages within this group (Clades I, II, III, V, VI, VII, and VIII), suggesting the existence of both host-generalist and genus-specific lineages of Zanclea associated with scleractinians. In addition to Z. gallii living in association with the genus Acropora, we discovered four well-supported lineages (Clades I, II, III, and VII), each one forming a strict association with a single scleractinian genus, including sequences of Zanclea associated with Montipora from two geographically separated areas (Maldives and Taiwan). Two host-generalist Zanclea lineages were also observed, and one of them was formed by Zanclea specimens symbiotic with seven scleractinian genera (Clade VIII). We also found that the COI gene allows the recognition of separated hidden lineages in agreement with the commonly recommended mitochondrial 16S as a DNA barcoding gene for Hydrozoa and shows reasonable potential for phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses in the genus Zanclea. Finally, as no DNA sequences are available for the majority of the nominal Zanclea species known, we note that they will be necessary to elucidate the diversity of the Zanclea-scleractinian association.

This experiment was carried out to evaluate performance and carcass characteristics of 40 crossbred young bulls (Zebu×European) finished in a feedlot under two roughage sources (Bermuda grass hay or sorghum silage) with or without the addition of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae). The bulls were 20 months old, their initial average weight was 356 kg and they were allocated into four groups of ten animals. The experimental diets were Bermuda grass, Bermuda grass+yeast, sorghum silage and sorghum silage +yeast. Animal performance and carcass characteristics were not influenced by roughage source or yeast addition. The average daily weight gain was 1.50 kg, dry matter intake (DMI) was 11.1 kg/d, DMI as percentage of liveweight was 2.60% and feed dry matter conversion was 7.70. The mean dressing percentage was 52.0% and hot carcass weight was 268 kg. Carcass conformation was classified between good-minus to good. Carcass length (137 cm), leg length (72.9 cm) and cushion thickness (26.6 cm) were not influenced by treatments. The average fat thickness was 3.80 mm and the Longissimus muscle area was 66.9 cm 2 . The classification of color, texture and marbling were slightly dark red to red, fine and slight-minus to light-typical, respectively. The mean percentage of bone, muscle and fat in the carcass was 15.5%, 62.3% and 22.5%, respectively. Yeast addition increased γ-linolenic fatty acid (0.15 vs. 0.11%) deposition. Bermuda grass hay increased deposition of α-linolenic (0.49 vs. 0.41%), arachidonic (2.30 vs. 1.57%), eicosapentaenoic (0.41 vs. 0.29%), docosapentaenoic (0.80 vs. 0.62%), docosahexaenoic (0.11 vs. 0.06%) and n-3 fatty acids, and reduced n-6: n-3 ratio in meat, when compared to sorghum silage treatments. The treatments had no effect on saturated fatty acids (49.5%), polyunsaturated fatty acids (11.8%), n-6 fatty acids (9.87%), n-3 (1.61%) and PUFA:SFA ratio (0.24). Monounsaturated fatty acid levels were higher on sorghum silage (40.7 vs. 37.7%). The addition of yeast caused higher n-6: n-3 ratio (7.28 vs. 5.70) than treatments without yeast.

This work was carried out to evaluate animal performance and carcass characteristics of 45 young bulls of three genetic groups: Nellore, 1/2 Nellore × 1/2 European and 1/4 Nellore × 3/4 European finished in feedlot. At the beginning of feedlot, the average bull was 20 (±2) months old, and average weight body was 356.0 (±7.9) kg. The 1/2 Nellore × 1/2 European young bulls had greater (P b 0.05) initial weight (381.7 kg), final weight (531.6 kg) and hot carcass weight (279.2 kg) than 1/4 Nellore × 3/4 European animals (334.6; 498.3 and 256.8 kg, respectively) and Nellore bulls (336.4; 446.4 and 234.3 kg, respectively). The crossbred bulls had greater daily weight gain (1.5 kg) as compared to the Nellore group (1.1 kg). However, carcass dressing was similar (52.3%) among groups. The superiority of crossbred animals over Nellore was observed when considering carcass conformation (good vs. regular), carcass length (136.6 vs. 130.1 cm), cushion thickness (26.6 vs. 25.0 cm), fat thickness (3.38 vs. 1.92 mm) and marbling (light vs. trace). The Nellore group had greater leg length (77.9 vs. 72.9 cm), better meat color (red vs. slightly dark red) and greater bone percentage (16.6 vs. 15.6%) than crossbred specimens. The 1/2 Nellore × 1/2 European groups had greater Longissimus muscle area (68.8 cm 2 ) and greater fat percentage (23.9%) than 1/4 Nellore × 3/4 European and Nellore animals. There was no difference in regards to texture (fine) and muscle percentage (62.9%). There was no difference among crossbreds for moisture (73.2%), ash (1.03%) and fat (1.81%) levels. Nellore animals had greater percentage of protein (25.3 vs. 23.8%), total cholesterol (27.5 vs. 23.0 mg/100 g muscle), stearic acid (25.0 vs. 21.6%), transvaccenic acid (1.6 vs. 1.3%) and γ-linolenic acid (0.2 vs. 0.1%) than crossbred specimens. Total saturated fatty acids (49.9%), monounsaturated fatty acids (38.1%), polyunsaturated fatty acids (12.1%), n-6 (10.0%), n-3 (1.7%), PUFA/SFA ratio (0.2) and n-6/n-3 ratio (6.27) in the Longissimus muscle were similar among genetics groups.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most diffused cancer types, characterized by a high reoccurrence rate, mainly due to the inability of current therapeutic approaches to completely eradicate cancer cells. HNSCC patients often have defective immune functions, thus allowing cancer immune escape and cancer spreading. Particularly important in driving immune escape during HNSCC progression are T-helper and T-regulatory cells. New insights into their mechanisms of action might support the development of effective and long-lasting immunotherapy.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of apigenin, a flavonoid widely present in fruits and vegetables, on a tongue oral cancer-derived cell line (SCC-25) and on a keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), with the aim of unveiling its antiproliferative mechanisms. The effect of apigenin on cell growth was evaluated by MTT assay, while apoptosis was investigated by phosphatidyl serine membrane translocation and cell cycle distribution by propidium iodide DNA staining through flow cytometry. In addition the expression of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases was evaluated by western blotting. A reduction of apigenin-induced cell growth was found in both cell lines, although SCC-25 cells were significantly more sensitive than the immortalized keratinocytes, HaCaT. Moreover, apigenin induced apoptosis and modulated the cell cycle in SCC-25 cells. Apigenin treatment resulted in cell cycle arrest at both G0/G1 and G2/M checkpoints, while western blot analysis revealed the decreased expression of cyclin D1 and E, and inactivation of CDK1 upon apigenin treatment. These results demonstrate the anticancer potential of apigenin in an oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line, suggesting that it may be a very promising chemopreventive agent due to its cancer cell cytotoxic activity and its ability to act as a cell cycle modulating agent at multiple levels.