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Abstract Background Dietary supplements based on tannin extracts or essential oil compounds (EOC) have been repeatedly reported as a promising feeding strategy to reduce the environmental impact of ruminant husbandry. A previous batch culture screening of various supplements identified selected mixtures with an enhanced potential to mitigate ruminal methane and ammonia formation. Among these, Q-2 (named after quebracho extract and EOC blend 2, composed of carvacrol, thymol, and eugenol) and C-10 (chestnut extract and EOC blend 10, consisting of oregano and thyme essential oils and limonene) have been investigated in detail in the present study with the semi-continuous rumen simulation technique (Rusitec) in three independent runs. For this purpose, Q-2 and C-10, dosed according to the previous study, were compared with a non-supplemented diet (negative control, NC) and with one supplemented with the commercial EOC-based Agolin® Ruminant (positive control, PC). Results From d 5 to 10 of fermentation incubation liquid was collected and analysed for pH, ammonia, protozoa count, and gas composition. Feed residues were collected for the determination of ruminal degradability. On d 10, samples of incubation liquid were also characterised for bacterial, archaeal and fungal communities by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and 26S ribosomal large subunit gene amplicons. Regardless of the duration of the fermentation period, Q-2 and C-10 were similarly efficient as PC in mitigating either ammonia (−37% by Q-2, −34% by PC) or methane formation (−12% by C-10, −12% by PC). The PC was also responsible for lower feed degradability and bacterial and fungal richness, whereas Q-2 and C-10 effects, particularly on microbiome diversities, were limited compared to NC. Conclusions All additives showed the potential to mitigate methane or ammonia formation, or both, in vitro over a period of 10 d. However, several differences occurred between PC and Q-2/C-10, indicating different mechanisms of action. The pronounced defaunation caused by PC and its suggested consequences apparently determined at least part of the mitigant effects. Although the depressive effect on NDF degradability caused by Q-2 and C-10 might partially explain their mitigation properties, their mechanisms of action remain mostly to be elucidated.

This study elaborates on a typology of demographic change and tests this definition at the lowest granular level (LAU2, municipality) with official data. This typology distinguishes between fragile and resilient municipalities based on population dynamics (in terms of duration and intensity) over 1991–2021. This study’s second aim is to elaborate a spatial autoregressive econometric model to evaluate to what extent and in which direction the rate of participation of potential beneficiaries of the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) of 2014–2020 is affected by demographic change and other explanatory variables. Regression models compare the results of the OLS (aspatial) and spatial autoregressive models (SAR) of four types of participation rates (all RDP schemes; all LEADER schemes; sectoral schemes of RDP and LEADER; non-sectoral schemes of RDPs and LEADER). This comparison makes it possible to understand the differences between centralised and decentralised management and between sectoral and broader rural-targeted schemes. The results of the models appear attractive in interpreting the role of RDP instruments in different regions and local areas. First, the rate of participation is strongly dependent on macro-regional differences. Regarding the demographic factors at the local level, this study highlights that demographic fragility does not necessarily hamper the use of RDP measures. Conversely, the participation rate in RDP policy schemes seems particularly significant in very fragile areas, whereas significance has yet to be proved in other demographic typologies. This result holds particularly true for the policy uptake of non-sectoral schemes. Furthermore, LEADER decentralised interventions fit the fragile areas more than resilient and vital ones due to the territorially targeted approach followed by the Local Action Groups.

ABSTRACT: Exposure to air and light lowers the meat quality of chickens, which is mainly determined by the color alteration and accumulation of detrimental products from lipid oxidation. This study tests the effects of 2 supplements rich in polyphenols, Oxilem (OX) and OxiGem (OG), on broiler Ross 308 performance and meat quality in comparison to a control group (C). A total of 105 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were allocated to 21 pens and randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 treatments. The trial lasted 42 d. Individual live weight and feed intake per pen were recorded. Proximate analysis, color, cholesterol content and cholesterol oxidation products (COPs), fatty acids (FAs), volatile aldehydes profile, and secondary oxidation products of meat FAs were determined, with analyses for detecting oxidative alterations conducted on breast burgers preserved for 7 d at 4°C. Birds fed OG grew 7 g/d more than those receiving OX, reaching a higher final weight. After slaughtering, meat from the OX group had a higher yellow index compared to C. After 7 d of air and light exposure, the influence on the color parameters of the OG and OX burgers was significantly less pronounced than that of C. Secondary oxidation products of the FAs of the burgers were not significantly affected by the diet regimens. In addition, OX and OG burgers exhibited lower amounts of volatile aldehydes, triol and COPs. These results confirm the effectiveness of OX and OG supplementation against lipid oxidation at the inclusion level used in this trial.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the role of parvovirus B19 (B19V) in the pathogenesis of myocarditis in a paediatric population, including post-mortem samples from two children. Methods: From 2004 to 2023, endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) from children under 16 years of age were analyzed using histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular pathology. A total of 306 children with acute and 1060 children with chronic lymphocytic myocarditis were identified. Results: B19V infection was more frequent in acute myocarditis than in chronic myocarditis (43% vs. 14%), with higher viral loads in acute cases regardless of age. The most prominent cardiac CD3+ T cell infiltration was noted in children < 2 years, correlating with high cardiac B19V loads. In two male infants who died from B19V infection, B19V DNA was localized in the endothelial cells of multiple organs using in situ hybridization. Virus replication was found in the endothelial cells of small cardiac arterioles and venules but not in capillaries. B19V DNA/mRNA was also detected in immune cells, especially in the spleen and lymph nodes, revealing virus replication in B lymphocytes. Conclusions: B19V can induce severe lymphocytic myocarditis, especially in young children. The simultaneous histopathological and molecular assessment of EMBs is important for early diagnosis of viral myocarditis, preventing severe disease, and ensuring appropriate therapy.

This study elaborates on a typology of demographic change and tests this definition at the lowest granular level (LAU2, municipality) with official data. This typology distinguishes between fragile and resilient municipalities based on population dynamics (in terms of duration and intensity) over 1991–2021. This study's second aim is to elaborate a spatial autoregressive econometric model to evaluate to what extent and in which direction the rate of participation of potential beneficiaries of the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) of 2014–2020 is affected by demographic change and other explanatory variables. Regression models compare the results of the OLS (aspatial) and spatial autoregressive models (SAR) of four types of participation rates (all RDP schemes; all LEADER schemes; sectoral schemes of RDP and LEADER; non-sectoral schemes of RDPs and LEADER). This comparison makes it possible to understand the differences between centralised and decentralised management and between sectoral and broader rural-targeted schemes. The results of the models appear attractive in interpreting the role of RDP instruments in different regions and local areas. First, the rate of participation is strongly dependent on macro-regional differences. Regarding the demographic factors at the local level, this study highlights that demographic fragility does not necessarily hamper the use of RDP measures. Conversely, the participation rate in RDP policy schemes seems particularly significant in very fragile areas, whereas significance has yet to be proved in other demographic typologies. This result holds particularly true for the policy uptake of non-sectoral schemes. Furthermore, LEADER decentralised interventions fit the fragile areas more than resilient and vital ones due to the territorially targeted approach followed by the Local Action Groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to evaluate the role of parvovirus B19 (B19V) in the pathogenesis of myocarditis in a paediatric population, including post-mortem samples from two children. Methods: From 2004 to 2023, endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) from children under 16 years of age were analyzed using histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular pathology. A total of 306 children with acute and 1060 children with chronic lymphocytic myocarditis were identified. Results: B19V infection was more frequent in acute myocarditis than in chronic myocarditis (43% vs. 14%), with higher viral loads in acute cases regardless of age. The most prominent cardiac CD3+ T cell infiltration was noted in children < 2 years, correlating with high cardiac B19V loads. In two male infants who died from B19V infection, B19V DNA was localized in the endothelial cells of multiple organs using in situ hybridization. Virus replication was found in the endothelial cells of small cardiac arterioles and venules but not in capillaries. B19V DNA/mRNA was also detected in immune cells, especially in the spleen and lymph nodes, revealing virus replication in B lymphocytes. Conclusions: B19V can induce severe lymphocytic myocarditis, especially in young children. The simultaneous histopathological and molecular assessment of EMBs is important for early diagnosis of viral myocarditis, preventing severe disease, and ensuring appropriate therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to analyse the functioning of territorial agri-food chains through an institutional lens. The approach tries to explore the influence of endogenous and exogenous factors on the capacity to respond to complex transition challenges. Our working hypothesis is that agri-food supply chains are embedded in the territory they belong to, economic performances and market competitiveness are strongly influenced by a combination of organisational capabilities and good governance solutions. These topics are developed by examining the innovative socioeconomic features of two of the largest world and European supply chains: the processing tomato supply chains of Northern Italy and Extremadura (Spain), both representing most of the processed tomato national production, governed by an overarching organisation gathering producers and processing firms on a parity basis, characterised by an innovative path developed to face the changing conditions of policies and markets. The paper shows how governance capabilities and their implications on the competitiveness and chain’s performance need to be explored by combining qualitative and quantitative analysis and indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]