| 1. |
- Thysell, Elin, et al.
(författare)
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Metabolomic characterization of human prostate cancer bone metastases reveals increased levels of cholesterol
- 2010
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Ingår i: PLoS One. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 5:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Metastasis to the bone is one clinically important features of prostate cancer (PCa). Current diagnostic methods cannot predict metastatic PCa at a curable stage of the disease. Identification of metabolic pathways involved in the growth of bone metastases therefore has the potential to improve PCa prognostication as well as therapy.Methodology/Principal Findings: Metabolomics was applied for the study of PCa bone metastases (n = 20) in comparison with corresponding normal bone (n = 14), and furthermore of malignant (n = 13) and benign (n = 17) prostate tissue and corresponding plasma samples obtained from patients with (n = 15) and without (n = 13) diagnosed metastases and from men with benign prostate disease (n = 30). This was done using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for sample characterization, and chemometric bioinformatics for data analysis. Results were verified in a separate test set including metastatic and normal bone tissue from patients with other cancers (n = 7). Significant differences were found between PCa bone metastases, bone metastases of other cancers, and normal bone. Furthermore, we identified metabolites in primary tumor tissue and in plasma which were significantly associated with metastatic disease. Among the metabolites in PCa bone metastases especially cholesterol was noted. In a test set the mean cholesterol level in PCa bone metastases was 127.30 mg/g as compared to 81.06 and 35.85 mg/g in bone metastases of different origin and normal bone, respectively (P = 0.0002 and 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining of PCa bone metastases showed intense staining of the low density lipoprotein receptor and variable levels of the scavenger receptor class B type 1 and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme reductase in tumor epithelial cells, indicating possibilities for influx and de novo synthesis of cholesterol.Conclusions/Significance: We have identified metabolites associated with PCa metastasis and specifically identified high levels of cholesterol in PCa bone metastases. Based on our findings and the previous literature, this makes cholesterol a possible therapeutic target for advanced PCa.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Brunberg, Emma, et al.
(författare)
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Feather pecking behavior in laying hens : Hypothalamic gene expression in birds performing and receiving pecks
- 2011
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Ingår i: Poultry Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0032-5791 .- 1525-3171. ; 90:6, s. 1145-1152
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Feather pecking (FP) is a welfare and economic problem in the egg production sector. Beak trimming, the current method used to reduce FP, is also criticized. The present study used gene expression to explore the biological mechanisms underlying this behavior, which could lead to a greater understanding of the cause and a tool to mitigate the problem. White Leghorn hens performing and receiving FP, as well as neutral control birds, were identified on a commercial farm. Hypothalamic RNA from 11 peckers, 10 victims, and 10 controls was hybridized onto GeneChip Chicken Genome Arrays (Affymetrix Inc., Santa Clara, CA) to compare gene expression profiles in the different groups. Eleven transcripts corresponding to 10 genes differed significantly between the 3 groups (adjusted P < 0.05). Eight of these transcripts differed in the peckers compared with the controls, 1 was upregulated in the victims compared with the controls, and 6 differed significantly in the peckers compared with the victims. Additionally, 5 transcripts showed a trend (adjusted P < 0.1) to differ in the pecker-victim comparison. Some of the products of the differently expressed genes are involved in disorders, such as intestinal inflammation and insulin resistance, which fit well with the previously proposed hypothesis that FP is an abnormal foraging behavior. Other findings may also support the proposal that FP is linked to immune mechanisms and may serve as an animal model for obsessive compulsive disorder in humans. In conclusion, this study provides a gene list that may be useful in further research on the mechanisms behind FP.
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| 4. |
- Herlin, Anders Henrik, et al.
(författare)
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Animal welfare implications of digital tools for monitoring and management of cattle and sheep on pasture
- 2021
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Ingår i: Animals. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-2615. ; 11:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The opportunities for natural animal behaviours in pastures imply animal welfare benefits. Nevertheless, monitoring the animals can be challenging. The use of sensors, cameras, positioning equipment and unmanned aerial vehicles in large pastures has the potential to improve animal welfare surveillance. Directly or indirectly, sensors measure environmental factors together with the behaviour and physiological state of the animal, and deviations can trigger alarms for, e.g., disease, heat stress and imminent calving. Electronic positioning includes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for the recording of animals at fixed points. Positioning units (GPS) mounted on collars can determine animal movements over large areas, determine their habitat and, somewhat, health and welfare. In combination with other sensors, such units can give information that helps to evaluate the welfare of free-ranging animals. Drones equipped with cameras can also locate and count the animals, as well as herd them. Digitally defined virtual fences can keep animals within a predefined area without the use of physical barriers, relying on acoustic signals and weak electric shocks. Due to individual variations in learning ability, some individuals may be exposed to numerous electric shocks, which might compromise their welfare. More research and development are required, especially regarding the use of drones and virtual fences. © 2021 by the authors.
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| 5. |
- Svensson, Emma M., 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Medieval cattle in Bern (Switzerland) : An archaeozoological, genetic and historical Approach
- 2014
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Ingår i: Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde. - : Gesellschaft Schweizer Tierarztinnen und Tierarzte. - 0036-7281 .- 1664-2848. ; 156:1, s. 17-26
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study deals with genetic analyses of an assemblage of mediaeval (1361 century) cattle metapodials from Bern that had previously been osteometrically examined regarding sex, shape and wither height. The results from the genetic sexing of these small (height 100 to 120 cm) cattle correlate well with the osteometric interpretations. Some few exceptions we interpreted as cows used as draft animals with stouter bones and thus osteometrically determined as males. Two morphologically different groups of cow metatarsals however, we took as proof of the historical fact that Bern relied on livestock from different geographical origins: the town's vicinity and the alpine pastures with their favourable grazing conditions. It was not possible to distinguish them genetically. An analysis of one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) showed that predominant coat colour most likely was red-brown. Furthermore, an analysis of the SNP in the Y-chromosomal intron UTY19 that divide modern taurine cattle in two major haplogroups (Y1 and Y2) showed that the mediaeval cattle belonged to the haplogroup Y2 with one single exception of a Yl.
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| 6. |
- Brunberg, Emma, et al.
(författare)
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Brain gene expression differences are associated with abnormal tail biting behavior in pigs
- 2013
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Ingår i: Genes, Brain and Behavior. - : Wiley. - 1601-1848 .- 1601-183X. ; 12:2, s. 275-281
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Knowledge about gene expression in animals involved in abnormal behaviors can contribute to the understanding of underlying biological mechanisms. This study aimed to explore the motivational background to tail biting, an abnormal injurious behavior and severe welfare problem in pig production. Affymetrix microarrays were used to investigate gene expression differences in the hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex of pigs performing tail biting, pigs receiving bites to the tail and neutral pigs who were not involved in the behavior. In the hypothalamus, 32 transcripts were differentially expressed (P<0.05) when tail biters were compared with neutral pigs, 130 when comparing receiver pigs with neutrals, and two when tail biters were compared with receivers. In the prefrontal cortex, seven transcripts were differently expressed in tail biters when compared with neutrals, seven in receivers vs. neutrals and none in the tail biters vs. receivers. In total, 19 genes showed a different expression pattern in neutral pigs when compared with both performers and receivers. This implies that the functions of these may provide knowledge about why the neutral pigs are not involved in tail biting behavior as performers or receivers. Among these 19 transcripts were genes associated with production traits in pigs (PDK4), sociality in humans and mice (GTF2I) and novelty seeking in humans (EGF). These are in line with hypotheses linking tail biting with reduced back fat thickness and explorative behavior.
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| 7. |
- Strage, Emma, et al.
(författare)
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Insulin release from isolated cat islets of Langerhans
- 2024
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Ingår i: Domestic Animal Endocrinology. - : Elsevier. - 0739-7240 .- 1879-0054. ; 87
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Feline diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine disease with increasing prevalence. It shows similarities with human type 2 diabetes and is characterized by insulin resistance and deficient insulin secretion. Moreover, cats and humans belong to the very few species that form amyloid depositions in the pancreatic islets. However, little is known about cat islet function and no studies have addressed insulin secretion from isolated islets ex vivo. The aim of this study was to establish a protocol for isolation of islets of Langerhans from pancreata of cats euthanized due to disease, and to evaluate insulin secretion responses to various physiological and pharmacological stimuli. Collagenase digestion of pancreatic tissue from 13 non-diabetic cats and two cats with diabetic ketoacidosis yielded individual islets surrounded by a layer of exocrine tissue that was reduced after two days in culture. Histological examination showed islet amyloid in pancreatic biopsies from most non-diabetic and in one diabetic cat. Islets from non-diabetic cats cultured at 5.5 mM glucose responded with increased insulin secretion to 16.7 mM glucose, 30 mM K+ and 20 µM of the sulfonylurea glipizide (2-3 times basal secretion at 3 mM glucose). The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist exendin-4 (100 nM) had no effect under basal conditions but potentiated glucose-triggered insulin release. Only one of nine islet batches from diabetic cats released detectable amounts of insulin, which was enhanced by exendin-4. Culture of islets from non-diabetic cats at 25 mM glucose impaired secretion both in response to glucose and K+ depolarization. In conclusion, we describe a procedure for isolation of islets from cat pancreas biopsies and demonstrate that isolated cat islets secrete insulin in response to glucose and antidiabetic drugs. The study provides a basis for future ex vivo studies of islet function relevant to the understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of feline diabetes.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Bergman, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of canine anti-mouse antibodies highlights that multiple strategies are needed to combat immunoassay interference
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Immunoassays are widely used for detection and quantification of analytes in biological samples, but are vulnerable to analytical errors caused by interfering sample substances. Of particular interest are endogenous anti-animal antibodies that may bind to the immunoassay antibodies and cause erroneous test results. This phenomenon is a hazard to patient safety in both human and veterinary medicine. Here, we demonstrate that anti-mouse antibodies in dogs bind selectively to different regions of the murine IgG molecule, cross-react with IgG from different species, and consist of all major antibody classes present in canine serum (IgA, IgG and IgM). The antibody characteristics varied among individuals and their prevalence differed between two dog breeds. The selective binding to different IgG regions suggests that the antibodies might not originate from immunization through exposure to mice or other species. These findings show that canine anti-mouse antibodies are highly heterogeneous in nature and therefore require a combination of strategies to be counteracted.
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| 10. |
- Bezerra Lima Verde, Isabel, et al.
(författare)
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Sperm Quality in Young Bull Semen Can Be Improved by Single Layer Centrifugation
- 2022
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Ingår i: Animals. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-2615. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Simple Summary Genomic selection enables bulls with desirable genes to be identified early in life. Livestock producers need to use the semen from young bulls as early as possible for efficient milk and meat production with fewer greenhouse gas emissions. However, semen from young bulls is often of lower quality than needed for freezing for commercial artificial insemination. Colloid centrifugation selects spermatozoa with the desirable characteristics needed for fertilization from the rest of the ejaculate. In this study, split ejaculates from young bulls were prepared with or without colloid centrifugation. Using this technique, sperm doses of acceptable quality for artificial insemination could be produced from ejaculates that would otherwise be discarded. Thus, the semen from young bulls would be usable for artificial insemination sooner than is currently the case. Interest in using semen from young bulls is increasing due to identifying promising animals by genomic selection. However, sperm quality in these ejaculates may not reach currently accepted standards for the cattle breeding industry. The purpose of this study was to determine if centrifugation of semen from young bulls through the Bovicoll colloid could improve sperm quality sufficiently for the frozen semen to be acceptable for artificial insemination. Ejaculates from 19 young bulls were split and either processed by Single-Layer Centrifugation (SLC) or not (CON) before freezing. After thawing, sperm quality was evaluated by determination of membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA integrity, production of reactive oxygen species, sperm morphology and motility. Approximately half of the CON samples reached acceptable post-thaw quality (membrane integrity >= 40%) despite being below the breeding company ' s desired sperm concentration threshold pre-freezing. In the remaining samples, sperm quality was improved by SLC such that 45% of them reached acceptable quality post-thaw. Almost 75% of the young bull sperm samples could have produced usable frozen semen doses by adjusting the breeding company ' s current processing protocols. Since lowering the generation interval has a direct effect on the genetic gain per year, SLC could aid genetic progress in cattle breeding.
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