Toward a genome-wide approach for detecting hybrids: informative SNPs to detect introgression between domestic cats and European wildcats (Felis silvestris).

Endemic gene pools have been severely endangered by human-mediated hybridization, which is posing new challenges in the conservation of several vertebrate species. The endangered European wildcat is an example of this problem, as several natural populations are suffering introgression of genes from the domestic cat. The implementation of molecular methods for detecting hybridization is crucial for supporting appropriate conservation programs on the wildcat. In this study, genetic variation at 158 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was analyzed in 139 domestic cats, 130 putative European wildcats and 5 captive-bred hybrids (N=274). These SNPs were variable both in wild (HE=0.107) and domestic cats (HE=0.340). Although we did not find any SNP that was private in any population, 22 SNPs were monomorphic in wildcats and pairwise FCT values revealed marked differences between domestic and wildcats, with the most divergent 35 loci providing an average FCT>0.74. The power of all the loci to accurately identify admixture events and discriminate the different hybrid categories was evaluated. Results from simulated and real genotypes show that the 158 SNPs provide successful estimates of admixture, with 100% hybrid individuals (two to three generations in the past) being correctly identified in STRUCTURE and over 92% using the NEWHYBRIDS' algorithm. None of the unclassified cats were wrongly allocated to another hybrid class. Thirty-five SNPs, showing the highest FCT values, provided the most parsimonious panel for robust inferences of parental and first generations of admixed ancestries. This approach may be used to further reconstruct the evolution of wildcat populations and, hopefully, to develop sound conservation guidelines for its legal protection in Europe.

New brain reperfusion rehabilitation therapy improves cognitive impairment in mild Alzheimer's disease: a prospective, controlled, open-label 12-month study with NIRS correlates.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A large body of evidence indicates that cerebral hypoperfusion is one of the earliest signs in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the brain reperfusion rehabilitation therapy (BRRT) would improve verbal memory and learning and/or global cognitive impairment in mild AD. METHODS: Using a prospective, controlled, open-label 12-month study, we enrolled 15 patients with mild AD, who underwent BRRT program (BRRT group), and 10 age-sex-matched mild AD patients, who received no treatment (control group). At baseline (T0), and at the end of the 3 months (T3), 6 months (T6) and 12 months (T12) participants from both groups were given an evaluation, using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). In both groups by using near-infrared spectroscopy, at T0 and T12, we measured tissue oxygen saturation (TOI) on temporal-parietal and frontal cortex of both sides. RESULTS: Ten patients from the BRRT group and 10 from the control group completed the 12-month follow-up. At the end of rehabilitation protocol, a significant improvement of MMSE and RAVLT was observed in the BRRT group as compared to control group. At T12 compared to T0, a significant improvement of TOI on frontal cortex of both sides was observed in the BRRT group as compared to control group. CONCLUSION: BRRT improves verbal memory-learning and global cognitive impairment which are associated with increased TOI values on frontal cortex of both sides.