Modelling the kinetics of milk emission during machine milking in dairy ewes

The individual milking time is one of the aspects which affect the routine of milking in dairy ewes and the time to devote to this laborious task. The positive effect of an appropriate udder conformation in the reduction of manual interventions (stripping) during milking, have been clarified by numerous studies (Marie-Etancelin et al., 2001), leading to the development of appraisal methods of the udder which are being implemented in several breeding programs to improve udder morphology for milkability. On the other hand, a lack of knowledge on kinetics of the milk emission during machine milking still persists, mainly as a consequence of the difficulty of a large scale recording. Recently an automatic device able to follow individual kinetics of milk emission, developed by INRA (Ricard et al., 1995), was installed at the IZCS. The first purpose of this work was modelling the average shape of milk emission curves during machine milking by fitting an appropriate polynomial. Furthermore, since previous analysis showed that milk flow parameters, such as maximum or average milk flow, manifested an individual variability (Carta et al., 2000), it was investigated whether this variability is also present in the shape of individual curves. With this goal a linear mixed model with random regression coefficients was implemented

Genetic diversity of Sardinian goat population based on microsatellites

During the last century, the selection for production traits of the main livestock species has led to a reduction in number of local populations with consequent loss of genetic variability. In Sardinia, the genetic improvement strategy has been based on selection for the local pure breed in sheep, whereas in the other species (cattle, swine and goat), an often unplanned crossbreeding with improved breeds has been applied. In this context, several studies on genetic diversity of these populations have been started with the final aim of recovering the autochthonous genetic types. The global approach involves different steps: - characterization of the farming system and typical products; - morphological and productive evaluation of the animals; - genetic characterization of the populations through molecular DNA analyses (microsatellites, AFLP, mitochondrial DNA, etc.); - creation of nucleus flocks in public farms and germoplasm banks; - organization of herd-books involving farmers interested in the safeguard of local breeds and valorisation of traditional products. A far as the goat population is concerned, Sardinia is the Italian region with the largest goat stock, (209.000 heads, about 23% of the total national stock). Farms are located in mountains, low hills and even plans (Macciotta et al., 2002) resulting in a quite large variability (Brandano and Piras, 1978) in terms of feeding and management techniques; but extensive and semi extensive systems in marginal areas prevail (Carta et al., 2001; Usai et al., 2004). The current population has been constituted by crossbreeding the autochthonous animals with other improved Mediterranean breeds,mainly Maltese goat. The aim of this paper is to study the genetic variability of this population through the analysis of 17 microsatellite markers

PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY AS SUPPORT OF PHARMACOLOGICAL THERAPY IN A CASE OF PARTICULAR REFRACTORY ORAL LICHEN PLANUS: A CASE REPORT.

Aim: Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic autoimmune mucocutaneous condition, primarily affecting the oral and genital mucous membrane, skin, nails, and scalp. The oral lichen planus (OLP) affects approximately 2% of the population. OLP, in general, may arise in > 70% of persons with skin lesions. The frequency of malignant change ranges from 0.4% to 3.3%. OLP is seen worldwide, mostly in the fifth to sixth decades of life, and is twice as prevalent in women as in men. OLP has demonstrated numerous systemic connotations such as diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, metabolic syndrome (MS), thyroid diseases, psychosomatic ailments, chronic liver disease, gastrointestinal diseases, and genetic susceptibility to cancer. The treatment options for OLP are numerous and include topical and systemic agents. Topical corticosteroids remain the mainstay of therapy. Case report: A 62-year-old woman came to our observation for a lesion present for about 1 year extended to the hard palate and the upper vestibular gingival mucosa. In the anamnesis she reported osteoporosis and gastro-esophageal reflux. On objective examination there were erosion areas of different width and depth interspersed with erythematous and rare areas white patterns. The patient also reported the formation of bubbles that in a very short time exploded. The negative Nickolsky sign on physical examination did not testify for a diagnosis of vesicular-bullous disease. An incisional biopsy was performed in the palatine area. The subsequent histological evaluation and immunofluorescence were significant for the diagnosis of lichen planus bullous. Topical therapy prescribed with Clobetasol 0.05% 2 times a day and topical Nystatin (100.000 ul/ ml) 3-4 times a day for 3 weeks brought an evident improvement; however an erosive lesion persisted in the area 22-23. It was decided to proceed with a photodynamic support therapy with 460 nm diode light, 4 watts (FlashMax P4 CSM Dental, Copenhagen, Denmark) and 3% hydrogen peroxide. Mucous surface was wetted with hydrogen peroxide then illuminated with diode light 20 times for 3 seconds, subsequently the hydrogen peroxide was removed with a sterile gauze. This treatment was repeated 3 times every 7 days. Results: One week later there was an important clinical improvement, the subsequent therapeutic sessions allowed an almost complete remission of the lesion unresponsive to corticosteroid treatment. Numerous invasive and non- invasive therapeutic methods including local and systemic corticosteroids, laser therapy, and surgical intervention for the treatment of OLP are suggested. Extended use of corticosteroids for chronic OLP may have certain local and systemic complications, which includes opportunistic candidiasis, mucosal atrophy, adrenal insufficiency, gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension, and diabetes. To surmount the side effects of steroid therapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been proposed as an alternative treatment strategy for OLP. PDT uses a photosensitizing agent which, when activated by the energy of light, creates a photodynamic reaction that is cytotoxic. A systematic review of the literature assessed the effectiveness of PDT in the management of OLP. PDT also showed an increase in the bactericidal activity of hydrogen peroxide in a case of refractory hairy tongue. Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy appears to have some effect in the symptomatic treatment of OLP in adult patients. However, further randomized controlled trials with standardized PDT parameters are needed

Polarized Light as an Adjuvant to Drug Therapy for the Treatment of Refrectory Oral Erosive Lichen Planus: A Case Report

Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, associated with a malignant transformation in 1.2% of cases. It can be predominantly white and therefore almost always asymptomatic, or with the presence of large erosions in different areas of the oral cavity. In this case the pathology can be disabling, causing severe chewing difficulties and compromising the patient's quality of life. The gold standard for the treatment of this pathology is the use of topical cortisones combined with nystatin. The use of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of these lesions is also documented in the scientific literature. Polarized light is a light with a very wide wavelength variability, created for the treatment of erosive and ulcerative skin lesions and then also introduced in other fields, such as in oral medicine. It has an excellent analgesic and bio stimulating effect. We propose a case of erosive lichen planus refractory to systemic cortisone therapy, present for 4 years without remission, successfully treated with 6 15-minute sessions of phototherapy with polarized light, using a Bioptron device at 25 watts of power. After an important improvement, the therapy was concluded with gel based on ozonated olive oil (Ialozon, Gemavip, Cagliari, Italy) and topical cortisone, due to the impossibility of continuing the therapies in the study (lockdown). Polarized light is very easy to use, has no side effects, does not require special eye protection and has proven to be very effective in the clinical resolution of refractory lesions to drug therapy

Evaluation of connectedness in the registered population of the Sardinian dairy sheep breed

Connectedness across flocks of the registered population of the Sardinian dairy sheep breed was evaluated. Used criteria were: number of sires used in the same contemporary group; number of direct links and the average within and between contemporary group relationship coefficients. Dataset including yearlings’ first lactation records of 1990 and 2008 were compared to evaluate the effect of coupling artificial insemination with controlled natural mating on connectedness. An increase of number of sires and direct links were registered between 1990 and 2008. These results confirm that the across years prolonged use of well planned moderate rates of artificial insemination had a strong effect on the overall statistical connectedness across flocks so permitting more accurate estimations of the management and genetic effects. As a whole, the decreasing of the average relationship within flock coupled to a marked enhance of the average relationship between contemporary groups, indicates that the genetic connectedness of the Sardinian registered population presents a clearly increasing trend. This fact assures that current genetic evaluations are reliable across flocks

Estimation of (co)variance components of nematode parasites resistance and somatic cell count in dairy sheep

Nematode parasites and mastitis are the major animal health constraints in sheep. The aim of this study was estimating the genetic (co)variances of nematode parasites resistance and somatic cell count in dairy sheep. From 2000 to 2008, Somatic Cell Score (SCS) and Faecal Egg Count (FEC) records were available on an experimental population consisting of 949 backcross ewes and 806 their daughters. Data were processed independently for each subpopulation in order to adjust for specific environmental effects and to obtain lactation records for both traits to be used in the genetic analysis. Variance components estimation was performed by using the REML method applied to a bi-trait repeatability animal model. Heritabilities of lactation SCS (LSCS) and FEC were 0.19 and 0.16. Genetic correlation was 0.21, whereas phenotypic correlation was 0.01. The estimated heritabilities confirm that both traits could be selected by the classical quantitative approach. The genetic correlation estimate between LSCS and FEC suggests that selection for one of the two traits would not have any detrimental effect on the other one

Efficacy of ozonated water as a PS in photodynamic therapy: A tool for dental caries management? An in vitro study

Background: The most prevalent noncommunicable disease in the world is dental caries; and when it is not adequately treated, it is usually associated with tooth loss or severe dental lesions. In fact, expensive care or tooth extraction may be necessary due to the negative effects dental caries have on general health. This is due to its frequent pain and secondary bacterial infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of ozonated water as such and in combination with appropriate light radiation so as to perform a photodynamic treatment (PDT) against the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans. Design and methods: This work has been performed in vitro by using an S. mutans strain mainly structured in a biofilm status, reproducing the natural condition of the tooth infection. The ozone was tested at three different concentrations by using a commercial device able to generate different O3 formulations in water. The PDT treatment requires an appropriate light wavelength, evaluated in this work through the UV-Vis adsorption spectrum of the ozonated water. Results: The obtained results suggested an effective and synergic property of O3 and light at 460–470nm against this microorganism. The most antibiofilm activity was observed using a concentration of ozone of 0.06mg/L alone as well as with PDT treatment. Conclusions: The results are encouraging for additional research and in vitro/in vivo fresh experimental investigations to perform an exhaustive antimicrobial treatment protocol against the S. mutans tooth infection

Mouthwash Based on Ozonated Olive Oil in Caries Prevention: A Preliminary In-Vitro Study

(1) Background: Ozone (O3) proved to oxidize organic and inorganic compounds, and its efficacy against bacteria, viruses and fungi plasma membranes was of interest. Ozone vehicle can be a gaseous form, ozonated water or ozonized oil. The aim of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the efficacy of ozonated olive oil against Streptococcus mutans. (2) Methods: Two different commercial mouthwashes were tested: Ialozon Blu (IB) (Gemavip, Cagliari, Italy), with ozonated olive oil, and Ialozon Rose (IR) (Gemavip, Cagliari, Italy), with ozonated olive oil, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. All formulates were analyzed in a dilution range from 2- to 256-folds in saline solution, as to reproduce the salivary dilution. Streptococcus mutans CIP103220 strain was used for the antimicrobial susceptibility test, and the Kirby-Bauer inhibition method was performed to evaluate the Minimum Inhibitory (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal (MBC), and Minimum Biofilm Inhibitory Concentration (MBIC). (3) Results: Both formulates showed the same antimicrobial activity. MIC, MBC, and MBIC were observed for dilution factors of 1/32, 1/8 and 1/8, respectively. The mean value of inhibition zone diameter was 16.5 mm for IB, and 18 mm for IR. (4) Conclusions: The results suggested that ozonized olive oil formulates were able to inactivate Streptococcus mutans avoiding the salivary dilution effect in the oral cavity