Effects of Different Milk-Tube Guidance Settings and Teat-Cup Types on the Dynamics of Teat-End Vacuum and Vacuum Fluctuations During Machine Milking

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of milk tube guidance setting and teat cup type on the dynamics of teat-end vacuum and vacuum fluctuations in quarter individual milking systems. In order to meet this objective, a series of wet tests was conducted in the laboratory. Different teat cups; AMS, BIO and RVS along with the milk tube guidance settings namely: direct tube, half-half tube and Y-piece tube system with varying tube inside diameters were tested at different water flow rates. The data obtained from the wet-test measurements were used to calculate the teat-end vacuum and vacuum fluctuation at the teat-old in b and d- phase. From the study conducted, it was found that the teat-end vacuum in BIO is always between the range of 32 and 42 kPa as recommended by DIN ISO 5707 (2010a) at any flow rate for all three types of connections. The teat-end vacuum for RVS was between 32-42 kPa range if the flow rate varies between 4 and 6 L min(-1) for both, the direct and the half-half connection. The Y-piece connection meets DIN ISO 5707 (2010a) requirements once the flow rate changes between 2 and 6 L min(-1). The findings about milk tube inside diameter indicated that the use of 14 or 16 mm milk tube diameter for BIO will provide better teat-end vacuum if the recommended value of 10 mm is used. On the other hand, the use of 16 mm milk tube diameter was found to be appropriate for AMS as recommended by the manufacturer. For the RVS, the appropriate milk tube diameter should be 14 mm when statistical differences in b and d-phase are examined from the point of teat-end vacuum and vacuum fluctuations

Evaluation of teat-end vacuum conditions as affected by different pulsation settings in a quarter-individual milking system

WOS: 000395042700001The objective of this study was to determine the effect of pulsation on the teat-end vacuum behaviour in a quarter individual milking system (QIMS). To meet this objective, simultaneous (SIM), alternating (ALT) and sequential (SEQ) pulsation were tested in a laboratory milking parlour. In the pulsation system SEQ four pulsators, instead of one (as in SIM) or two (as in ALT), are used. Unlike in SIM and ALT, the pulsation in each quarter is started individually. After pulsation is started in quarter one, pulsation will begin in the following quarters, each with a time delay of 25 % of the pulse duration with respect to the start of the previous quarter. Tests were performed at various flow rates (0.8 to 6.0 l/min) with the help of the wet-test method and the teat-end vacuum behaviour was observed. The lowest vacuum fluctuation of 4.4 kPa was recorded under SIM pulsation as well as the lowest vacuum reduction of 1.3 kPa. Both values were recorded at a flow of 4 l/min during the suction phase (b-phase). For SEQ and ALT pulsation, higher levels of vacuum reduction and fluctuation were measured during the suction phase at a flow rate of 4 l/min (SEQ: 7.6 / 1.8 kPa and ALT: 9.0 / 1.9 kPa). Consequently, it was concluded that SIM pulsation is the most appropriate pulsation setting when optimization for low vacuum reduction and fluctuation during the suction phase is demanded.Federal Agency for Agriculture and Nutrition (BLE)The study and the associated research project were funded by the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Nutrition (BLE), which serves as a management agency for the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) as a result of a resolution by the German Bundestag. The authors acknowledge BLE and BMEL for providing comprehensive support for the project. Furthermore, the authors would like to thank Silicon form GmbH for providing the milking system and the software for controlling its different pulsation settings

Bioplastic packaging for fresh meat and fish: Current status and future direction on mitigating food and packaging waste

This work evaluates the preparedness of the packaging industry towards more circular, sustainable solutions for fresh meat and fish. The term bioplastic is ill-defined, creating confusion between all stakeholders in the value chain. The implementation of bioplastic as food contact material will only occur when there are demonstrated solutions that can equally or better protect fresh meat and fish from spoilage, compared to conventional plastic. Price, supply chain availability, machinability, and safety will also be key in the shift from fossil to bioplastic.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation of hepatitis serology and frequency of viral reactivation in patients with inflammatory arthritis receiving biologic agents: a multicenter observational study

Article; Early AccessTo evaluate of hepatitis serology and reactivation frequency in patients with rheumatic disease receiving biologic agents. Our study included patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases from 23 centers, who were followed up with biological therapy. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, duration of drug use and hepatitis serology and the state of viral reactivation were analyzed. A total of 4060 patients, 2095 being males, were included in our study. Of the patients, 2463 had Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), 1154 had Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), 325 had Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), and 118 had other inflammatory rheumatic diseases. When the viral serology of the patients was evaluated, 79 patients (2%) who were identified as HBs Ag positive, 486 (12%) patients who were HBs Ag negative and anti-HBc IgG positive and 20 patients (0.5%) who were anti-HCV positive. When evaluated on a disease-by-disease basis, the rate of HBsAg was found to be 2.5% in RA, 2% in AS and 0.9% in PsA. Viral reactivation was detected in 13 patients while receiving biologic agents. HBs Ag was positive in nine patients with reactivation and negative in four patients. Anti-HBc IgG, however, was positive. Six of these patients had AS, four had RA, and three had PsA. The development of hepatitis reactivation in 11.4% of HBs Ag positive patients and 0.82% of anti-HBc IgG positive patients due to the use of biologic agents is an important problem for this group of patients. Antiviral prophylaxis is recommended to be started especially in patients who are HBs Ag positive and who are using biologic agents due to viral reactivation. Therefore, it is important to carry out hepatitis screenings before biologic agent treatment and to carefully evaluate the vaccination and prophylaxis requirements. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

Impact of Obesity on the Metabolic Control of Type 2 Diabetes: Results of the Turkish Nationwide Survey of Glycemic and Other Metabolic Parameters of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (TEMD Obesity Study)

Background: Obesity is the main obstacle for metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Turkey has the highest prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in Europe. The effect of obesity on the metabolic control, and the macro-and microvascular complications of patients are not apparent. Objectives: This nationwide survey aimed to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among patients with type 2 diabetes and to search for the impact of obesity on the metabolic control of these patients. We also investigated the independent associates of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients who were under follow-up for at least 1 year in 69 tertiary healthcare units in 37 cities. The demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data including medications were recorded. Patients were excluded if they were pregnant, younger than 18 years, had decompensated liver disease, psychiatric disorders interfering with cognition or compliance, had bariatric surgery, or were undergoing renal replacement therapy. Results: Only 10% of patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 4,648) had normal body mass indexes (BMI), while the others were affected by overweight (31%) or obesity (59%). Women had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity (53.4 vs. 40%) and severe obesity (16.6 vs. 3.3%). Significant associations were present between high BMI levels and lower education levels, intake of insulin, antihypertensives and statins, poor metabolic control, or the presence of microvascular complications. Age, gender, level of education, smoking, and physical inactivity were the independent associates of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: The TEMD Obesity Study shows that obesity is a major determinant of the poor metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. These results underline the importance of prevention and management of obesity to improve health care in patients with type 2 diabetes. Also, the results point out the independent sociodemographic and clinical associates of obesity, which should be the prior targets to overcome, in the national fight with obesity. (c) 2019 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Base

Inborn errors of OAS–RNase L in SARS-CoV-2–related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

International audienceMultisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare and severe condition that follows benign COVID-19. We report autosomal recessive deficiencies of OAS1 , OAS2 , or RNASEL in five unrelated children with MIS-C. The cytosolic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)–sensing OAS1 and OAS2 generate 2′-5′-linked oligoadenylates (2-5A) that activate the single-stranded RNA–degrading ribonuclease L (RNase L). Monocytic cell lines and primary myeloid cells with OAS1, OAS2, or RNase L deficiencies produce excessive amounts of inflammatory cytokines upon dsRNA or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) stimulation. Exogenous 2-5A suppresses cytokine production in OAS1-deficient but not RNase L–deficient cells. Cytokine production in RNase L–deficient cells is impaired by MDA5 or RIG-I deficiency and abolished by mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) deficiency. Recessive OAS–RNase L deficiencies in these patients unleash the production of SARS-CoV-2–triggered, MAVS-mediated inflammatory cytokines by mononuclear phagocytes, thereby underlying MIS-C