Publications by authors named "Umberto Bernabucci"

Methane (CH) from livestock, particularly enteric CH emission (EME), is one contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. This review analyzed 1294 scientific abstracts on EME in ruminants from 1986 to May 2024, using Scopus data. Descriptive statistics, text mining, and topic analysis were performed.

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Climate change is a major concern for the near future and for livestock breeding. Cattle breeding, due to its greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the most implicated industries. Consequently, the main future goals are to breed animals resilient to climate change, with the aim of lowering the livestock impact on the environment and selecting animals that will be able to resist different, unsuitable, and changing climates.

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Recently, much interest has been raised for the characterization of signaling molecules carried by extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are particularly enriched in milk (mEVs). Such interest is linked to the capability of EVs to cross biological barriers, resist acidification in the gastric environment, and exert modulation of the immune system, mainly through their microRNA (miRNA) content. We characterized the small-RNA cargo of colostrum EVs (colosEVs) and mEVs from Italian Mediterranean buffalo through next generation sequencing.

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Increases in temperature and the greater incidence of extreme events are the consequences of the climate change that is taking place on planet Earth. High temperatures create severe discomfort to animal farms as they are unable to efficiently dissipate their body heat, and for this, they implement mechanisms to reduce the production of endogenous heat (reducing feed intake and production). In tropical and subtropical countries, where buffalo breeding is more widespread, there are strong negative consequences of heat stress (HS) on the production and quality of milk, reproduction, and health.

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This in vitro study was performed to assess the effects of three different mixtures of nonesterifed fatty acids (NEFA) on mitogen-driven proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in dairy cows. Substantially, the three mixtures differed for n-6 to n-3 fatty acids (FA) ratio and were intended to mimic plasma NEFA composition of cows given fat supplements with different n-6 to n-3 FA ratio. PBMC from six Holstein heifers were cultured in media containing three different mixtures of oleic, palmitic, stearic, linoleic, palmitoleic, or linolenic acid at concentrations mimicking different degree of lipomobilisation.

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In this study, for the first time was evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of an Oleuropein-enriched extract (OleE) on bovine mammary epithelial cell line (BME-UV1). OleE was obtained from olives leaves and characterized by HPLC and NMR analysis. Cell viability test indicated that OleE at concentrations of 7.

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Buffaloes are raised mainly to obtain milk that is nutritionally very rich. The technological characteristics of buffalo milk are optimal for processing into cheese, and it is mainly used to produce mozzarella cheese. Under stressful conditions, buffaloes, like other animals, produce milk qualitatively poorly.

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A better understanding of soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics is needed when assessing the carbon footprint (CFP) of livestock products and the effectiveness of possible agriculture mitigation strategies. This study aimed (i) to perform a cradle-to-gate CFP of pasture-based beef cattle in a Mediterranean agropastoral system (ii) and to assess the effects on the CFP of alternative tillage, fertilizing, and grazing practices under current (NCC) and future climate change (CC) scenarios. Minimum (Mt) and no-tillage (Nt) practices were compared to current tillage (Ct); a 50% increase (Hf) and decrease (Lf) in fertilization was evaluated against the current (Cf) rate; and rotational grazing (Rg) was evaluated versus the current continuous grazing (Cg) system.

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Chickpea grains may represent an alternative to soybean meals and energetic concentrates in animal feeding, as their nutritional value can help to increase the sustainability of livestock systems. Unfortunately, the presence of bioactive compounds with anti-nutritional effects can prevent its direct use, especially in mono-gastrics. It is known that the synthesis of these compounds depends on genetic expression, which is also influenced by growth conditions.

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Pomegranate peel extracts (PPE) were tested for the first time on BME-UV1, a valid cellular model to study the bovine mammary epithelial metabolism, to evaluate the effects on the oxidative stress and inflammatory status. Based on the statistical analysis of MTT data, PPE at 0.1, 1.

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Background: Sustainability of food systems is one of the big challenges facing humanity. Local food networks, especially those using organic methods, are proliferating worldwide, and little is known about their carbon footprints. This study aims to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with a local organic beef supply chain using a cradle-to-grave approach.

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This review, which has been prepared within the frame of the European Union (EU)-funded project MARLON, surveys the organisation and characteristics of specific livestock and feed production chains (conventional, organic, GM-free) within the EU, with an emphasis on controls, regulations, traceability, and common production practices. Furthermore, an overview of the origin of animal feed used in the EU as well as an examination of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in feed is provided. From the data, it shows that livestock is traceable at the herd or individual level, depending on the species.

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Heat stress negatively affects milk quality altering its nutritive value and cheese making properties. This study aimed at assessing the impact of seasonal microclimatic conditions on milk quality of Friesian cows. The study was carried out in a dairy farm from June 2013 to May 2014 at Beni-Suef province, Egypt.

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Heat stress (HS) induces adaptive responses that are responsible for alterations of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic heat treatment on the expression and secretion of leptin and adiponectin, important regulators of energy homeostasis, food intake and insulin action. C57BL/6 mice were subdivided into three groups (24 mice each).

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Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are known to protect cells from several stressors. Nucleotide changes in the flanking regions [5'- and 3'-untranslated region (UTR)] of Hsp gene might affect inducibility, degree of expression, or stability of Hsp70 mRNA. The present study aimed to investigate the association between inducible Hsp70.

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Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites having a high cytotoxic potential. They are produced by molds and released in food and feed. To date, the mechanisms underlying the mycotoxin-induced cytotoxicity have not been fully clarified.

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The study was aimed at describing the temperature humidity index (THI) dynamics over the Mediterranean basin for the period 1951-2007. The THI combines temperature and humidity into a single value, and may help to predict the effects of environmental warmth in farm animals. In particular, on the basis of THI values, numerous studies have been performed to establish thresholds for heat stress in dairy cows.

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The study was aimed at assessing whether the peri-parturient period is associated with changes of intracellular and plasma inducible heat shock proteins (Hsp) 72 kDa molecular weight in dairy cows, and to establish possible relationships between Hsp72, metabolic, and immunological parameters subjected to changes around calving. The study was carried out on 35 healthy peri-parturient Holstein cows. Three, two, and one week before the expected calving, and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after calving, body conditions score (BCS) was measured and blood samples were collected to separate plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

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Studies have demonstrated that heat shock is associated with alteration in energy metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effect of heat shock on gene expression and secretion of adiponectin and leptin, and gene expression of Hspa2 and Ppargamma in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Compared with 37 degrees C, adiponectin mRNA was higher at 39 degrees C, and lower at 41 degrees C.

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The objective of the study was to assess the effects of intravenous infusion of triacylglycerol (TAG) emulsions derived from different lipid sources on responses to mitogens of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from fasted dairy cows. Six multiparous, non-pregnant, non-lactating Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3x3 Latin Square design. For 4 d, cows were fasted and infused intravenously with a 20% TAG emulsions derived from tallow (TA), linseed oil (LO) or fish oil (FO).

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This study was carried out to ascertain the effects of intense high environmental temperatures (HET) on lymphocyte functions in periparturient dairy cows. The study was undertaken from the beginning of March through the end of July 2003 in a commercial dairy unit located approximately 40 km north of Rome. Thirty-four Holstein cows were utilised in the study.

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Objective: To assess effects on functions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from ewes for each of several fatty acids represented in ovine plasma at concentrations mimicking those of ketotic or healthy ewes.

Sample Population: Blood samples obtained from 6 Sardinian ewes.

Procedure: The PBMC were cultured in media that contained oleic (OA), palmitic (PA), stearic (SA), linoleic (LA), or palmitoleic (POA) acid at concentrations similar to those of ketotic or healthy ewes.

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The study was undertaken during spring and summer months in a territory representative of the Mediterranean climate to assess the effects of season on some immunological parameters of dairy cows. Twenty Holstein cows were used. Eleven of those cows gave birth during spring; the remaining nine cows gave birth in summer.

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Objective: To assess the effects of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) on functions of mononuclear cells obtained from ewes.

Animals: 6 Sardinian ewes.

Procedure: Mononuclear cells were cultured with concentrations of NEFA (0, 15.

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