Effects of daily herbage allowance and stage of lactation on the intake and performance of dairy cows in early summer

peer-reviewedThis research was part-funded by European Union Structural Funds (EAGGF).The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between daily herbage allowance (DHA) and the performance of dairy cows at two stages of lactation. Spring-calving (n=42, mean calving date 17 February) and autumn-calving (n=42, mean calving date 22 September) Friesian cows were divided into three equal groups and assigned to three levels of DHA (above a cutting height of 35 mm), 17 (L), 20 (M) and 23 (H) kg of dry matter (DM) per head, from late April to late June, 1996. The spring-calving cows grazed to sward heights (mm) of 47, 56 and 65 (s.e. 0.6) and residual herbage organic matter (OM) masses (above 35 mm) of 294, 408 and 528 (s.e. 12.1) kg/ha for L, M and H, respectively. The autumn-calving cows grazed to corresponding sward heights of 51, 60 and 69 (s.e. 1.1) mm and leftresidual herbage OM masses of 364, 445 and 555 (s.e. 12.9) kg/ha for L, M and H, respectively. Pastures were mechanically topped post grazing. Spring-calving cows consumed 13.3, 14.7 and 15.5 kg OM (s.e. 0.47) per day, and autumn-calving cows consumed 13.3, 13.8 and 14.9 kg OM (s.e. 0.43) per day for L, M and H, respectively. Mean daily solids-corrected milk yield was 23.1, 23.8 and 24.8 (s.e. 0.34) kg for the spring-calving cows, and 17.5, 18.4 and 18.7 (s.e. 0.35) kg for the autumncalving cows, for L, M and H, respectively. Milk yield could be predicted from preexperimental yield (PMY) and daily herbage organic matter allowance (DOMA, kg) according to the following equation: y = −1.13 + 0.76 (s.e. 0.030) PMY + 0.22 (s.e. 0.057) DOMA (r.s.d. 1.32, R2 0.89). The results indicate that high individual cow and herd production levels can be achieved from high quality herbage alone during early summer at a DHA of 23 kg DM for spring-calving cows and 20 kg DM for autumn-calving cows.European Unio

Accuracy of predicting milk yield from alternative milk recording schemes

peer-reviewedThe effect of reducing the frequency of official milk recording and the number of recorded samples per test-day on the accuracy of predicting daily yield and cumulative 305-day yield was investigated. A control data set consisting of 58 210 primiparous cows with milk test-day records every 4 weeks was used to investigate the influence of reduced milk recording frequencies. The accuracy of prediction of daily yield with one milk sample per test-day was investigated using 41 874 testday records from 683 cows. Results show that five or more test-day records taken at 8-weekly intervals (A8) predicted 305-day yield with a high level of accuracy. Correlations between 305-day yield predicted from 4-weekly recording intervals (A4) and from 8-weekly intervals were 0.99, 0.98 and 0.98 for milk, fat and protein, respectively. The mean error in estimating 305-day yield from the A8 scheme was 6.8 kg (s.d. 191 kg) for milk yield, 0.3 kg (s.d. 10 kg) for fat yield, and −0.3 kg (s.d. 7 kg) for protein yield, compared with the A4 scheme. Milk yield and composition taken during either morning (AM) or evening (PM) milking predicted 24-h yield with a high degree of accuracy. Alternating between AM and PM sampling every 4 weeks predicted 305-day yield with a higher degree of accuracy than either all AM or all PM sampling. Alternate AM-PM recording every 4 weeks and AM + PM recording every 8 weeks produced very similar accuracies in predicting 305-day yield compared with the official AM + PM recording every 4 weeks

Effect of liner design, pulsator setting, and vacuum level on bovine teat tissue changes and milking characteristics as measured by ultrasonography

peer-reviewedFriesian-type dairy cows were milked with different machine settings to determine the effect of these settings on teat tissue reaction and on milking characteristics. Three teat-cup liner designs were used with varying upper barrel dimensions (wide-bore WB = 31.6 mm; narrow-bore NB = 21.0 mm; narrow-bore NB1 = 25.0 mm). These liners were tested with alternate and simultaneous pulsation patterns, pulsator ratios (60:40 and 67:33) and three system vacuum levels (40, 44 and 50 kPa). Teat tissue was measured using ultrasonography, before milking and directly after milking. The measurements recorded were teat canal length (TCL), teat diameter (TD), cistern diameter (CD) and teat wall thickness (TWT). Teat tissue changes were similar with a system vacuum level of either 50 kPa (mid-level) or 40 kPa (low-level). Widening the liner upper barrel bore dimension from 21.0 mm (P < 0.01) or 25.0 mm (P < 0.001) to 31.6 mm increased the magnitude of changes in TD and TWT after machine milking. Milk yield per cow was significantly (P < 0.05) higher and cluster-on time was reduced (P < 0.01) with the WB cluster as compared to the NB1 cluster. Minimum changes in teat tissue parameters were achieved with system vacuum level of 40 kPa and 50 kPa using NB and WB clusters, respectively. Similar changes in teat tissue and milk yield per cow were observed with alternate and simultaneous pulsation patterns. Widening pulsator ratio from 60:40 to 67:33 did not have negative effects on changes in teat tissue and had a positive effect on milk yield and milking time. Milk liner design had a bigger effect on teat tissue changes and milking characteristics than pulsation settings

A New Mixed-Backbone Oligonucleotide against Glucosylceramide Synthase Sensitizes Multidrug-Resistant Tumors to Apoptosis

Enhanced ceramide glycosylation catalyzed by glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) limits therapeutic efficiencies of antineoplastic agents including doxorubicin in drug-resistant cancer cells. Aimed to determine the role of GCS in tumor response to chemotherapy, a new mixed-backbone oligonucleotide (MBO-asGCS) with higher stability and efficiency has been generated to silence human GCS gene. MBO-asGCS was taken up efficiently in both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells, but it selectively suppressed GCS overexpression, and sensitized drug-resistant cells. MBO-asGCS increased doxorubicin sensitivity by 83-fold in human NCI/ADR-RES, and 43-fold in murine EMT6/AR1 breast cancer cells, respectively. In tumor-bearing mice, MBO-asGCS treatment dramatically inhibited the growth of multidrug-resistant NCI/ADR-RE tumors, decreasing tumor volume to 37%, as compared with scrambled control. Furthermore, MBO-asGCS sensitized multidrug-resistant tumors to chemotherapy, increasing doxorubicin efficiency greater than 2-fold. The sensitization effects of MBO-asGCS relied on the decreases of gene expression and enzyme activity of GCS, and on the increases of C18-ceramide and of caspase-executed apoptosis. MBO-asGCS was accumulation in tumor xenografts was greater in other tissues, excepting liver and kidneys; but MBO-asGCS did not exert significant toxic effects on liver and kidneys. This study, for the first time in vivo, has demonstrated that GCS is a promising therapeutic target for cancer drug resistance, and MBO-asGCS has the potential to be developed as an antineoplastic agent

Effects of daily herbage allowance and stage of lactation on the intake and performance of dairy cows in early summer

This research was part-funded by European Union Structural Funds (EAGGF).The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between daily herbage allowance (DHA) and the performance of dairy cows at two stages of lactation. Spring-calving (n=42, mean calving date 17 February) and autumn-calving (n=42, mean calving date 22 September) Friesian cows were divided into three equal groups and assigned to three levels of DHA (above a cutting height of 35 mm), 17 (L), 20 (M) and 23 (H) kg of dry matter (DM) per head, from late April to late June, 1996. The spring-calving cows grazed to sward heights (mm) of 47, 56 and 65 (s.e. 0.6) and residual herbage organic matter (OM) masses (above 35 mm) of 294, 408 and 528 (s.e. 12.1) kg/ha for L, M and H, respectively. The autumn-calving cows grazed to corresponding sward heights of 51, 60 and 69 (s.e. 1.1) mm and leftresidual herbage OM masses of 364, 445 and 555 (s.e. 12.9) kg/ha for L, M and H, respectively. Pastures were mechanically topped post grazing. Spring-calving cows consumed 13.3, 14.7 and 15.5 kg OM (s.e. 0.47) per day, and autumn-calving cows consumed 13.3, 13.8 and 14.9 kg OM (s.e. 0.43) per day for L, M and H, respectively. Mean daily solids-corrected milk yield was 23.1, 23.8 and 24.8 (s.e. 0.34) kg for the spring-calving cows, and 17.5, 18.4 and 18.7 (s.e. 0.35) kg for the autumncalving cows, for L, M and H, respectively. Milk yield could be predicted from preexperimental yield (PMY) and daily herbage organic matter allowance (DOMA, kg) according to the following equation: y = −1.13 + 0.76 (s.e. 0.030) PMY + 0.22 (s.e. 0.057) DOMA (r.s.d. 1.32, R2 0.89). The results indicate that high individual cow and herd production levels can be achieved from high quality herbage alone during early summer at a DHA of 23 kg DM for spring-calving cows and 20 kg DM for autumn-calving cows.European Unio

Effect of two milking systems on the milking characteristics, teat tissue changes and new infection rate of dairy cows

Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (n=56) were assigned to either of two milking systems over a complete lactation. System WB consisted of a heavy cluster weight of 3.2 kg with a claw volume of 150 mL, wide-bore tapered liners (31.6–21.0 mm) and a simultaneous pulsation pattern. System NB used a light cluster weight of 1.65 kg with a claw volume of 275 mL, narrow-bore liners (25.0–21.0 mm) and an alternate pulsation pattern. All cows were managed as one herd and milked in an 80-degree side-by-side milking parlour, with a milk lift of 1.5 m above the cow standing. Comparison was made between systems for milking characteristics and intramammary infection. Ultrasonography was used to measure changes to various teat parameters and external teat condition was assessed visually. Mean milk yield, milking rate, peak milk flow-rate, gross milk composition, and somatic cell count were similar for both milking systems. However, milk yield tended to be higher (by 5.2%; P = 0.09) at the morning milking with WB as compared to NB. There was a significant milking system × lactation stage interaction (P < 0.01) for somatic cell count and for peak milk flow-rate at the morning milking. There was no difference between milking systems in the incidence of clinical or sub-clinical mastitis, teat texture or colour. There was a significant lactation stage interaction (P < 0.001) for external teat diameter, cistern diameter and teat wall thickness. There was system × lactation stage interaction (P = 0.08) for teat diameter with the WB system tending to be higher as compared to the NB system, however these changes did not result in higher infection rates or have any deleterious effect on teat condition. The two milking systems gave satisfactory milking performance.Effet de deux systèmes de traite sur les caractéristiques du lait, l’intégrité tissulaire des trayons et l’état sanitaire des vaches laitières. Un total de 56 vaches laitières Holstein-Frisonnes a été assigné à l’un ou l’autre des deux systèmes de traite sur une lactation entière. Le système WB était composé d’un faisceau-trayeur lourd de 3,2 kg avec une griffe d’une capacité de 150 mL, de manchons à bout large (31,6–21,0 mm) et d’un dispositif de pulsation simultanée. Le système NB était, quant à lui, constitué d’un faisceau-trayeur léger de 1,65 kg avec une griffe d’une capacité de 275 mL, de manchons à bout étroit (25,0–21,0 mm) et d’un dispositif de pulsation alternative. Tous les animaux ont été conduits en troupeau et traits dans une salle de traite côte à côte à 80°, avec une barre frontale à une hauteur de 1,5 m au-dessus de la position de la vache. Les caractéristiques du lait et l’infection intramammaire ont été comparés dans les deux systèmes. L’ultrasonographie a permis de mesurer les évolutions de divers paramètres du trayon, et l’état externe des trayons a été évalué visuellement. La production laitière moyenne, la quantité de lait, la vitesse de traite maximale, la composition brute du lait, et le comptage de cellules somatiques ont été semblables pour les deux systèmes de traite. Toutefois, la production laitière a été légèrement plus élevée (de 5,2 % ; P = 0,09) à la traite du matin avec WB comparé à NB. Il y a eu une interaction significative entre le système de traite × le stade de lactation (P < 0,01) pour la numération cellulaire et la vitesse de traite maximale à la traite du matin. Il n’y a eu aucune différence entre les systèmes de traite dans l’incidence de mammite clinique ou subclinique, la texture ou la couleur du trayon. Il y a eu une interaction significative entre le stade de lactation (P < 0,001) et le diamètre externe du trayon, le diamètre de la citerne et l’épaisseur de la paroi du trayon. Il y a eu une interaction significative entre le système de traite × le stade de lactation (P = 0,08) pour le diamètre du trayon avec le système WB qui tend à être plus élevé comparativement au système NB ; toutefois, ces changements n’ont eu aucune conséquence sur l’état sanitaire ou aucun effet délétère sur l’état du trayon. Les deux systèmes de traite ont donné des résultats de traite satisfaisants

Partnering for enhanced digital surveillance of influenza-like disease and the effect of antivirals and vaccines (PEDSIDEA)

Background: Standardised clinical outcome measures are urgently needed for the surveillance of influenza and influenza-like illness (ILI) based on individual patient data (IPD). Objectives: We report a multicentre prospective cohort using a predefined disease severity score in routine care. Patients/Methods: The Vienna Vaccine Safety initiative (ViVI) Disease Severity Score (“ViVI Score”) was made available as an android-based mobile application to three paediatric hospitals in Berlin and Athens between 2013 and 2016. Healthcare professionals assessed ILI patients at the point of care including severity, risk factors and use of antibiotics/antivirals/vaccines. RT-PCR for influenza A/B viruses was performed at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute and the Robert Koch Institute. PCR testing was blinded to severity scoring and vice versa. Results: A total of 1615 children aged 0-5 years (54.4% males) were assessed at the three sites. The mean age was 1.7 years (SD 1.5; range 0-5.9). The success rate (completion of the scoring without disruption to the ER workflow) was 100%. ViVI Disease Severity Scores ranged from 0 to 35 (mean 13.72). Disease severity in the Berlin Cohort was slightly higher (mean 15.26) compared to the Athens Cohorts (mean 10.86 and 11.13). The administration of antibiotics was most prevalent in the Berlin Cohort, with 41.2% on antibiotics (predominantly cefuroxime) as opposed to only 0.5% on neuraminidase inhibitors. Overall, Risk-adjusted ViVI Scores were significantly linked to the prescription of both, antibiotics and antivirals. Conclusions: The Risk-adjusted ViVI Score enables a precision medicine approach to managing ILI in multicentre settings. Using mobile applications, severity data will be obtained in real time with important implications for the evaluation of antiviral/vaccine use. © 2019 The Authors. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Published by John Wiley &amp; Sons Ltd

Influenza and other respiratory viruses: standardizing disease severity in surveillance and clinical trials

<p><b>Introduction</b>: Influenza-Like Illness is a leading cause of hospitalization in children. Disease burden due to influenza and other respiratory viral infections is reported on a population level, but clinical scores measuring individual changes in disease severity are urgently needed.</p> <p><b>Areas covered</b>: We present a composite clinical score allowing individual patient data analyses of disease severity based on systematic literature review and WHO-criteria for uncomplicated and complicated disease. The 22-item ViVI Disease Severity Score showed a normal distribution in a pediatric cohort of 6073 children aged 0–18 years (mean age 3.13; S.D. 3.89; range: 0 to 18.79).</p> <p><b>Expert commentary</b>: The ViVI Score was correlated with risk of antibiotic use as well as need for hospitalization and intensive care. The ViVI Score was used to track children with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, human rhinovirus, and adenovirus infections and is fully compliant with regulatory data standards. The ViVI Disease Severity Score mobile application allows physicians to measure disease severity at the point-of care thereby taking clinical trials to the next level.</p