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Behavioural changes to moderate heat load in grazing dairy cows under on-farm conditions

Heat stress poses an increasing risk to welfare, health and productivity of dairy cows, especially for cows on pasture. To apply timely mitigation strategies for grazing cows, simple indicators are needed that signal heat stress. We conducted an exploratory study on the behaviour of grazing dairy cows in relation to the environmental heat load on four commercial dairy farms in Switzerland with herd sizes ranging from 20 to 57 cows. In a scan-sampling procedure standing/lying, feeding/ruminating, low inter-individual distances, proximity to drinker, use of natural shade and insect infestation were observed during 30 days (5–9 days/per farm). Additionally, 10 focal cows per farm were equipped with accelerometers to analyse lying duration and locomotor activity during on average 46 days per farm. On one farm all cows (N = 57) were equipped with GPS devices which were used to calculate inter-individual distances among cows continuously during 69 days. Air temperature and relative humidity were recorded to calculate the temperature-humidity index (THI). For behaviours recorded in direct observations, a principal component analysis was performed for variable reduction. The first three principal components (PC) as well as the variables from automatic measurements were used as outcome variables in mixed effects models with daily maximum THI (THImax), time of day (continuous, in 10 min intervals) and their interaction as explanatory variables. The three PCs could be described as: “feeding and standing”, “proximity to drinker” and “standing in close proximity and seeking shade”. The daily pattern of these PC's differed by THImax (interaction time of day * THImax; all p < 0.01). On days with high THImax compared to days with lower THImax cows were seen more often close to the drinker in the morning, but not in the afternoon when they were observed standing close to each other and in the shade. On days with high THImax, cows also were lying less and increased their locomotor activity towards noon (interaction time of day * THImax; p < 0.001). Data from GPS devices confirmed the findings: On days with high THImax, cows reduced their inter-individual distances over the course of the day, while this was not observed on days with lower THImax (interaction time of day * THImax; p < 0.001). Insect infestation increased with higher THImax. We conclude that a distinct change in daily behavioural patterns, especially a reduction of lying behaviour, an increase in locomotor activity and a decrease in inter-individual distances could be used to monitor heat stress of dairy cows on pasture

Analyse rétrospective de l’adaptation à la sécheresse chez le douglas

For a number of years in certain regions of France the Douglas-fir trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) have presented symptoms of withering which have been attributed to drought. Our results show that the hydraulic function of the wood plays a part in the resistance of the Douglas-fir to dry conditions. Narrower cellular conduits, and therefore a greater wood density, contribute to the survival of trees confronted with a period of a marked water deficit. This idea is confirmed by the existence of significant relationships between wood density and hydraulic properties of wood in which the raw sap circulates, and also by the relationships found between the ecological preferences of specimens in their area of origin and the density of their wood in regions of France where they have been introduced. Those coming from dry regions have a tendency to develop wood with characteristics similar to that of trees which have survived drought. While the relationship between wood density and survival has been demonstrated, the differences in the nature of this relationship between different sites show that the mechanisms involved are complex and to a large extent still not understood.Le douglas (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) présente depuis quelques années dans certaines régions de France des symptômes de dépérissement que nous attribuons à la sécheresse. Nos résultats montrent que le fonctionnement hydraulique du bois joue un rôle dans la résistance du douglas à la sécheresse: des conduits cellulaires plus étroits, c'est-à-dire une densité plus élevée, favoriseraient la survie d'arbres confrontés à un épisode de déficit en eau marqué. Cette idée est renforcée par l'existence de relations significatives entre densité du bois et propriétés hydrauliques du bois dans lequel circule la sève brute, et par les relations trouvées entre préférences écologiques de provenances dans leur aire d'origine et densité de leur bois dans les régions d'introduction en France: les provenances issues de régions sèches ont tendance à développer un bois possédant des caractéristiques proches de celles des survivants à la sécheresse. Si la relation densité du bois–survie a bien été mise en évidence, des différences entre sites dans la nature de cette relation montrent que les mécanismes impliqués sont complexes et encore largement incompris.Seit einigen Jahren zeigt die Douglasie (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) in verschiedenen Regionen Frankreichs Absterbeerscheinungen, die wir der Trockenheit zuschreiben. Unsere Untersuchungen belegen, dass das Leitsystem des Holzes bei der Resistenz der Douglasie gegenüber Trockenheit eine Rolle spielt: Engere Gefässe, d.h. eine höhere Holzdichte, würden das Überleben der Bäume in Perioden mit ausgeprägtem Wassermangel begünstigen. Diese Idee wird durch signifikante Zusammenhänge zwischen der Holzdichte und den hydraulischen Eigenschaften des Splintholzes sowie durch die gefundenen Beziehungen zwischen den ökologischen Vorlieben der Provenienzen in ihrer Herkunftsregion und der Dichte ihres Holzes in den Regionen Frankreichs, in denen sie eingebracht wurden, belegt: Herkünfte aus trockenen Regionen haben die Tendenz, ein Holz zu entwickeln, das ähnliche Eigenschaften zeigt wie dasjenige von Bäumen, die Trockenperioden überlebten. Die Beziehung Holzdichte–Überleben konnte zwar klar herausgestellt werden, jedoch zeigen die Unterschiede zwischen den Standorten, dass die Wirkungsmechanismen komplex sind und grösstenteils noch nicht verstanden werden.Estación Experimental Agropecuaria BarilocheFil: Rozenberg, Philippe. INRA. Biologie intégrée pour la valorisation de la diversité des arbres et de la forêt; FranciaFil: Sergent, Anne Sophie. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Dalla Salda, Guillermina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Área de Recursos Forestales. Grupo de Ecología Forestal; ArgentinaFil: Martinez Meier, Alejandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Área de Recursos Forestales. Grupo de Ecología Forestal; ArgentinaFil: Marin, Sara. INRA. Biologie intégrée pour la valorisation de la diversité des arbres et de la forêt; FranciaFil: Ruiz Diaz, Manuela. INRA. Biologie intégrée pour la valorisation de la diversité des arbres et de la forêt; FranciaFil: Bastien, Jean-Charles. INRA. Biologie intégrée pour la valorisation de la diversité des arbres et de la forêt; FranciaFil: Sanchez, Leopoldo. INRA. Biologie intégrée pour la valorisation de la diversité des arbres et de la forêt; FranciaFil: Bréda, Nathalie. INRA. Biologie intégrée pour la valorisation de la diversité des arbres et de la forêt; Franci

Clinical symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection during the Omicron period in relation to baseline immune status and booster vaccination-A prospective multicentre cohort of health professionals (SURPRISE study).

The effects of different types of pre-existing immunity on the frequency of clinical symptoms caused by the SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection were prospectively assessed in healthcare workers during the Omicron period. Among 518 participants, hybrid immunity was associated with symptom reduction for dizziness, muscle or limb pain and headache as compared to vaccination only. Moreover, the frequencies of dizziness, cough and muscle or limb pain were lower in participants who had received a booster vaccine dose. Thus, hybrid immunity appeared to be superior in preventing specific symptoms during breakthrough infection compared to vaccination alone. A booster vaccine dose conferred additional symptom reduction

Development of Immune-Specific Interaction Potentials and Their Application in the Multi-Agent-System VaccImm

Peptide vaccination in cancer therapy is a promising alternative to conventional methods. However, the parameters for this personalized treatment are difficult to access experimentally. In this respect, in silico models can help to narrow down the parameter space or to explain certain phenomena at a systems level. Herein, we develop two empirical interaction potentials specific to B-cell and T-cell receptor complexes and validate their applicability in comparison to a more general potential. The interaction potentials are applied to the model VaccImm which simulates the immune response against solid tumors under peptide vaccination therapy. This multi-agent system is derived from another immune system simulator (C-ImmSim) and now includes a module that enables the amino acid sequence of immune receptors and their ligands to be taken into account. The multi-agent approach is combined with approved methods for prediction of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-binding peptides and the newly developed interaction potentials. In the analysis, we critically assess the impact of the different modules on the simulation with VaccImm and how they influence each other. In addition, we explore the reasons for failures in inducing an immune response by examining the activation states of the immune cell populations in detail

A common molecular mechanism for cognitive deficits and craving in alcoholism

Alcohol-dependent patients commonly show impairments in executive functions that facilitate craving and can lead to relapse. The medial prefrontal cortex, a key brain region for executive control, is prone to alcohol-induced neuroadaptations. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to executive dysfunction in alcoholism are poorly understood. Here using a bi-directional neuromodulation approach we demonstrate a causal link for reduced prefrontal mGluR2 function and both impaired executive control and alcohol craving. By neuron-specific prefrontal knockdown of mGluR2 in rats, we generated a phenotype of reduced cognitive flexibility and excessive alcohol-seeking. Conversely, restoring prefrontal mGluR2 levels in alcohol-dependent rats rescued these pathological behaviors. Also targeting mGluR2 pharmacologically reduced relapse behavior. Finally, we developed a FDG-PET biomarker to identify those individuals that respond to mGluR2-based interventions. In conclusion, we identified a common molecular pathological mechanism for both executive dysfunction and alcohol craving, and provide a personalized mGluR2-mechanism-based intervention strategy for medication development of alcoholism

Advances in Electronic-Nose Technologies Developed for Biomedical Applications

The research and development of new electronic-nose applications in the biomedical field has accelerated at a phenomenal rate over the past 25 years. Many innovative e-nose technologies have provided solutions and applications to a wide variety of complex biomedical and healthcare problems. The purposes of this review are to present a comprehensive analysis of past and recent biomedical research findings and developments of electronic-nose sensor technologies, and to identify current and future potential e-nose applications that will continue to advance the effectiveness and efficiency of biomedical treatments and healthcare services for many years. An abundance of electronic-nose applications has been developed for a variety of healthcare sectors including diagnostics, immunology, pathology, patient recovery, pharmacology, physical therapy, physiology, preventative medicine, remote healthcare, and wound and graft healing. Specific biomedical e-nose applications range from uses in biochemical testing, blood-compatibility evaluations, disease diagnoses, and drug delivery to monitoring of metabolic levels, organ dysfunctions, and patient conditions through telemedicine. This paper summarizes the major electronic-nose technologies developed for healthcare and biomedical applications since the late 1980s when electronic aroma detection technologies were first recognized to be potentially useful in providing effective solutions to problems in the healthcare industry

Peri-operative red blood cell transfusion in neonates and infants: NEonate and Children audiT of Anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe: A prospective European multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND: Little is known about current clinical practice concerning peri-operative red blood cell transfusion in neonates and small infants. Guidelines suggest transfusions based on haemoglobin thresholds ranging from 8.5 to 12 g dl-1, distinguishing between children from birth to day 7 (week 1), from day 8 to day 14 (week 2) or from day 15 (≥week 3) onwards. OBJECTIVE: To observe peri-operative red blood cell transfusion practice according to guidelines in relation to patient outcome. DESIGN: A multicentre observational study. SETTING: The NEonate-Children sTudy of Anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe (NECTARINE) trial recruited patients up to 60 weeks' postmenstrual age undergoing anaesthesia for surgical or diagnostic procedures from 165 centres in 31 European countries between March 2016 and January 2017. PATIENTS: The data included 5609 patients undergoing 6542 procedures. Inclusion criteria was a peri-operative red blood cell transfusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was the haemoglobin level triggering a transfusion for neonates in week 1, week 2 and week 3. Secondary endpoints were transfusion volumes, 'delta haemoglobin' (preprocedure - transfusion-triggering) and 30-day and 90-day morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Peri-operative red blood cell transfusions were recorded during 447 procedures (6.9%). The median haemoglobin levels triggering a transfusion were 9.6 [IQR 8.7 to 10.9] g dl-1 for neonates in week 1, 9.6 [7.7 to 10.4] g dl-1 in week 2 and 8.0 [7.3 to 9.0] g dl-1 in week 3. The median transfusion volume was 17.1 [11.1 to 26.4] ml kg-1 with a median delta haemoglobin of 1.8 [0.0 to 3.6] g dl-1. Thirty-day morbidity was 47.8% with an overall mortality of 11.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate lower transfusion-triggering haemoglobin thresholds in clinical practice than suggested by current guidelines. The high morbidity and mortality of this NECTARINE sub-cohort calls for investigative action and evidence-based guidelines addressing peri-operative red blood cell transfusions strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02350348