Patients born with congenital porto-systemic shunts have been shown to have a high risk of benign and malignant liver tumors in otherwise healthy livers. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic lands Show more
Patients born with congenital porto-systemic shunts have been shown to have a high risk of benign and malignant liver tumors in otherwise healthy livers. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic landscape of liver tumors in patients with congenital porto-systemic shunts (CPSS) and correlate genotype with histological findings. Nodules from patients with CPSS and sporadic pediatric focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) or FNH-like nodules were evaluated histologically and sequenced for a panel of 50 genes using next-generation sequencing. Thirty-eight nodules from 17 patients with CPSS were histologically classified as hepatoblastomas ( CPSS is strongly associated with nodules containing variants in Show less
Beef cattle breeds from Central and Southern Italy, such as Marchigiana, Chianina, Romagnola, Maremmana, and Podolica, represent a unique genetic resource shaped by centuries of natural and artificial Show more
Beef cattle breeds from Central and Southern Italy, such as Marchigiana, Chianina, Romagnola, Maremmana, and Podolica, represent a unique genetic resource shaped by centuries of natural and artificial selection. Their origin, partly linked to the Podolian group, remains debated, while their adaptation to diverse environments and close association with regional economies enhance their zootechnical and cultural value. Despite their importance, comprehensive assessments of their genomic diversity are still limited, especially in an international context where preserving local breeds is crucial to maintain global biodiversity and resilience in livestock systems. This study investigates population structure, inbreeding, selection signatures, and effective population size using medium-density single-nucleotide polymorphism genotypes. Multivariate and clustering approaches confirmed clear genetic differentiation among breeds, with Chianina and Romagnola being the most divergent, in line with their intensive selection history. In contrast, Maremmana and Podolica displayed shared ancestral components, reflecting their adaptation to extensive and marginal environments. Pairwise F Show less
The melanocortinergic neural circuit, known for its influence on energy expenditure and feeding behavior, also plays a role in stress and stress-induced psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and de Show more
The melanocortinergic neural circuit, known for its influence on energy expenditure and feeding behavior, also plays a role in stress and stress-induced psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. The major contribution is given by the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) subtype, highly expressed in brain regions involved in the control of stress responses. Furthermore, the MC4R appears to profoundly affect the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and it has been also highlighted a functional and anatomical interaction with the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), an important mediator of stress and stress-related behaviors. The MC4R agonists seem to exacerbate stress-inducing anxiety- and depressive-like behavior, while MC4R antagonists have been demonstrated to mitigate such disorders, as shown in several preclinical behavioral tests. The evidence collected in the present review suggests that the melanocortin system, through the MC4R, could possibly modulate behavioral responses to stress, suggesting the use of MC4R antagonists as a possible novel treatment for anxiety and depression induced by stress. Show less