Results of an online questionnaire to survey calf management practices on dairy cattle breeding farms in Austria and to estimate differences in disease incidences depending on farm structure and management practices

BACKGROUND: Calf disease may result in great economic losses. To implement prevention strategies it is important to gain information on management and to point out risk factors. The objective of this internet based survey was to describe calf management practices on registered dairy breeding farms in Austria and to estimate differences in calf disease incidences depending on farm structure and management practices. RESULTS: A total of 1287 questionnaires were finally analysed (response rate 12.2 %). Herd characteristics and regional distribution of farms indicated that this survey gives a good overview on calf management practices on registered dairy farms in Austria. The median number of cows per farm was 20 (interquartile range 13–30). Significant differences regarding farm characteristics and calf management between small and large farms (≤20 vs >20 cows) were present. Only 2.8 % of farmers tested first colostrum quality by use of a hydrometer. Storing frozen colostrum was more prevalent on large farms (80.8 vs 64.2 %). On 85.1 % of the farms, whole milk, including waste milk, was fed to the calves. Milk replacer and waste milk were more often used on large farms. In accordance with similar studies from other countries, calf diarrhoea was indicated as the most prevalent disease. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that herd size was associated with calf diarrhoea and calf respiratory tract disease, with higher risk of disease on large farms. Furthermore, feeding waste milk to the calves was associated with increasing calf diarrhoea incidence on farm. In the final model with calf respiratory tract disease as outcome, respondents from organic farms reported less often a respiratory tract disease incidence of over 10 % compared with conventional farms [odds ratio (OR) 0.40, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.21–0.75] and farmers that housed calves individually or in groups after birth significantly reported more often to have an incidence of respiratory tract disease >10 % compared with farms where all calves were housed individually (OR 2.28, 95 % CI 1.16–4.48). CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study provide an overview on calf management on dairy breeding farms in Austria and may help to further point out areas to be improved on farm. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-015-0134-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Cellular Stress in Aging and Cancer

As our cells and organs are constantly subjected to a multitude of stresses most of which have life-threatening aspects, evolution has selected for sophisticated stress coping mechanisms. While these mechanisms are proficient in stress relief and repair, they are not infallible resulting in morbidities and mortality. Basic and biomedical research have made significant advances in describing stress response genes and pathways on molecular and physiological level, while being also successful in exploiting this knowledge for therapeutic purposes to combat pathologies and diseases. However, due to the variety and complexity of stresses and stress responses, it is still incompletely understood how the fate of cells, cell types, organs and ultimately organisms are shaped and determined by specific stresses. In this thesis, we focus on two major aspects of disease-relevant chronic stress: cellular senescence & aging and aneuploidy & cancer development. We aim to better understand not only their molecular signatures but also their physiological consequences using experimental mouse models. Our gained basic knowledge could help develop novel therapeutic avenues or advance existing strategies to combat aging and age-related diseases including cancer

Beeinflusst das bodennahe Ozon die Lufttemperatur

Analog zu einer kanadischen Studie von Beaney und Gough aus dem Jahr 2002 [4], sollte in dieser Arbeit der anthropogene Einfluss, vor allem des bodennahen Ozons, auf die Temperatur der bodennahen Luft analysiert werden. Untersucht wurden neun Stationen im Großraum Wien von denen 10 Jahre Ozonmessungen und 4 bis 10 Jahre Temperaturmessungen zur Verfügung standen. Für die Analyse wurden Werktagstagesgänge mit Wochenendtagesgängen von Wochen mit hohen Ozonwerten und Wochen mit normalen Ozonwerten verglichen und auf ihre Signifikanz geprüft. Der Schwellenwert für die Einteilung in Ereigniswochen und normale Wochen wurde variabel gewählt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass an den Wochentagen der Ereigniswochen sowohl die Ozonkonzentration als auch die Tagesamplitude größer sind als an den Wochenenden. Außerdem konnte ein Zusammenhang mit dem variablen Schwellenwert erkannt werden. Auch die Signifikanzen der Unterschiede der Ozonwerktagswerte zu den Ozonwochenendwerten zeigten mit höherem Schwellenwert einen Trend zur Signifikanz in Ereigniswochen, in normalen Wochen war kein Trend der p-Werte des t-Tests feststellbar. Signifikante Unterschiede gab es bei Ozon lediglich in Ereigniswochen an drei Stationen mit bestimmten Schwellenwerten. Aufgrund der Ergebnisse kann man auf anthropogenen Einfluss schließen. Die Temperaturtagesgänge ähneln nur teilweise ihrem Ozonpendant. Die Signifikanzen in Ereigniswochen weisen hingegen mit steigendem Schwellenwert den selben Trend auf wie die Ozonsignifikanzen, in normalen Wochen ist bei den Temperatursignifikanzen allerdings ebenfalls ein Trend erkennbar, jedoch in umgekehrter Richtung als in Ereigniswochen. Anthropogener Einfluss ist auch an den Temperaturdaten erkennbar, da auch bei den Temperaturtagesgängen an Werktagen die Ampllitude größer ist als an den Wochenenden, besonders in Ereigniswochen. Ein konkreter Zusammenhang des bodennahen Ozons mit der Temperatur ist allerdings nicht erkennbar. Auch weitere Analysen konnten einen anthropogenen Einfluss, allerdings keinen konkreten Zusammenhang von Ozon und Temperatur feststellen. Vermutlich sind hier andere Parameter des Strahlungsantriebes, wie zum Beispiel Aerosole, Bewölkung, etc., ausschlaggebender.In order to estimate anthropogenic influence, especially that of tropospheric ozone, on radiative forcing weekday/weekend diurnal variations of ozone and temperature were compaired. 10-year-ozone data and 4- to 10-year-temperature data from nine locations in the greater Vienna area were used for this analysis. In accordance with Beaney and Gough (2002) [4] the data were seperated in exceedence and non-exceedence weeks, weeks with high and normal ozone values respectively. Different thresholds were applied for the analysis. The results of the ozone diurnal variations show that exceedance weeks have higher ozone amplitudes than non-exceedance weeks. Additionally, a relation between the resultsand the used threshold was found. Higher thresholds show a trend to a higher amplitude. Moreover in exceedance weeks the p-value approaches significance. During nonexceedance weeks no trend of significances was found. However, just a few stations at certain thresholds and only in exceedance weeks show significant weekday/weekend variations. The results suggest anthropogenic influence. Temperature diurnal variations are only in some cases similar to the ozone ones. In conformity with the ozone significances, temperature significances show the same trend in exceedance weeks, with p-values approaching significance, when the threshold increases. Non-exceedance weeks present the opposite trend, with higher thresholds veering away from the level of significance. However, the temperature data show anthropogenic influence as well, as can be seen by higher amplitudes during exceedance weeks on workdays. A direct relation between ozone and temperature was not found. Further studies should be made to analyse the anthropogenic influence. It is possible that other parameters of radiative forcing, such as aerosols or cloudiness, could be responsible for the effects described above

Wahrgenommene Ursachen der Arbeitslosigkeit

Die Wirtschaftskrise 2008/2009 verdeutlichte die Brisanz und die immerwährende Aktualität des Themas Arbeitslosigkeit. In einer Gesellschaft, in der die eigene Identität durch den Arbeitsplatz gestiftet wird (vgl. Semmer & Udris; 1991), hat der Arbeitsplatzverlust verehrende Auswirkungen. Ziel dieser Studie war die Erfragung und nähere Betrachtung von wahrgenommenen Ursachen für Arbeitslosigkeit. Die Studie bediente sich dabei der Arbeit von Kirchler (1991) als Vorlage, setzte jedoch auf andere qualitative Auswertungsverfahren. Im Zeitraum 2009/2010 wurden in Österreich und Deutschland 365 Personen, mit einem an Kirchler (1991) adaptierten Fragebogen, nach den Ursachen der Arbeitslosigkeit befragt. erhoben wurden die 8 unterschiedlichen Berufsgruppen Unternehmer, Angestellte, Arbeiter, Arbeitslose, Beamte, Grundwehrdiener, Studenten und Zivildiener. Die erhaltenen Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die Folgen der Wirtschaftskrise am Arbeitsmarkt unübersehbar waren, weder für die Arbeitslosen noch für die Beschäftigten. In der Studie zeichnete sich aber auch ab, dass die Beschäftigten vermehrt Ursachen nannten, die der betroffenen Person selbst die Schuld zuschreiben. Die Arbeitslosen selbst hingegen sahen die Ursachen für ihr Schicksal, neben der schlechten Wirtschaftslage, vor allem bei den Unternehmen. Arbeitslose nannten, insgesamt vermehrt externe Ursachen für Arbeitslosigkeit. Sie wählten Gründe die außerhalb ihrer Verantwortung lagen. Beschäftigte griffen vermehrt und viel öfters als Arbeitslose auf interne Ursachen zurück. Möglicherweise hilft es den Beschäftigten sich von der unangenehmen Problematik der Arbeitslosigkeit zu distanzieren, indem sie vornehmlich Gründe nennen, welche die Arbeitslosen als Verursacher ihres eigenen Schicksals darstellen. So könnte ihre eigene Anstellung nicht gefährdet werden und auch keine Notwendigkeit, sich für die Betroffenen einzusetzen, entstehen.The global economy crisis of 2008/2009 led to huge numbers of unemployed people all over the world. The aim of this study was to have a closer look at the perceived causes of unemployment. The groundwork for this study was the studiy of Kirchler (1991) who also tried to point out the perceived causes of unemployment. In 2009/2010 we surveyed 365 persons in Austria and Germany using a questionaire similar to the one Kirchler used in 1991. We asked the following 8 groups about there perceived causes for unemployment: white collar worker, blue- collar worker, unemployed, civil servants, conscripts (military service), students, entrepreneur, people performing community service The finding was that both employed and unemployed economy crisis most often. But the causes for unemployment differs as the employed more often mentioned reasons that blame the unemployed people for their job loss. The unemployed people perceived causes that blame the economy and the organisations. The employed don’t want to be concerned with the problem of unemployment. The easiest way is to make the relevant people responsible for their bad luck. Nevertheless, the economy crises has shown that job loss can hit everyone

Heterogeneity of Memory T Cells in Aging

Immune memory is a requisite and remarkable property of the immune system and is the biological foundation of the success of vaccinations in reducing morbidity from infectious diseases. Some vaccines and infections induce long-lasting protection, but immunity to other vaccines and particularly in older adults rarely persists over long time periods. Failed induction of an immune response and accelerated waning of immune memory both contribute to the immuno-compromised state of the older population. Here we review how T cell memory is influenced by age. T cell memory is maintained by a dynamic population of T cells that are heterogeneous in their kinetic parameters under homeostatic condition and their function. Durability of T cell memory can be influenced not only by the loss of a clonal progeny, but also by broader changes in the composition of functional states and transition of T cells to a dysfunctional state. Genome-wide single cell studies on total T cells have started to provide insights on the influence of age on cell heterogeneity over time. The most striking findings were a trend to progressive effector differentiation and the activation of pro-inflammatory pathways, including the emergence of CD4+ and CD8+ cytotoxic subsets. Genome-wide data on antigen-specific memory T cells are currently limited but can be expected to provide insights on how changes in T cell subset heterogeneity and transcriptome relate to durability of immune protection

T Cell Fate Decisions During Memory Cell Generation With Aging

The defense against infectious diseases, either through natural immunity or after vaccinations, relies on the generation and maintenance of protective T cell memory. Naïve T cells are at the center of memory T cell generation during primary responses. Upon activation, they undergo a complex, highly regulated differentiation process towards different functional states. Naïve T cells maintained into older age have undergone epigenetic adaptations that influence their fate decisions during differentiation. We review age-sensitive, molecular pathways and gene regulatory networks that bias naïve T cell differentiation towards effector cell generation at the expense of memory and Tfh cells. As a result, T cell differentiation in older adults is associated with release of bioactive waste products into the microenvironment, higher stress sensitivity as well as skewing towards pro-inflammatory signatures and shorter life spans. These maladaptations not only contribute to poor vaccine responses in older adults but also fuel a more inflammatory state

Senescent cells in the development of cardiometabolic disease

Purpose of review Senescent cells have recently been identified as key players in the development of metabolic dysfunction. In this review, we will highlight recent developments in this field and discuss the concept of targeting these cells to prevent or treat cardiometabolic diseases. Recent findings Evidence is accumulating that cellular senescence contributes to adipose tissue dysfunction, presumably through induction of low-grade inflammation and inhibition of adipogenic differentiation leading to insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia. Senescent cells modulate their surroundings through their bioactive secretome and only a relatively small number of senescent cells is sufficient to cause persistent physical dysfunction even in young mice. Proof-of-principle studies showed that selective elimination of senescent cells can prevent or delay the development of cardiometabolic diseases in mice. Summary The metabolic consequences of senescent cell accumulation in various tissues are now unravelling and point to new therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases

Networking in regional development. The experience of the LEADER project "Wissbegierige Bildungsregion" (inquisitive education region) in the Weinviertel region

Die "Wissbegierige Bildungsregion" ist ein Bildungsprojekt der Region Weinviertel-Manhartsberg mit dem Ziel, Bildung in die Gemeinden und damit näher zur Bevölkerung des Weinviertels zu bringen. Dazu wurden in Dorfzentren sog. "Bildungsräume" eingerichtet und lernwilligen Gemeinde-Bewohner*innen zur Verfügung gestellt. Um diese Bildungsräume aktiv zu betreiben, brauchte es in jeder beteiligten Gemeinde ein Netzwerk an Personen, die sie betreuen und laufend aktivieren - mit verschiedenen Netzwerkaktivitäten. Dazu gab es regelmäßige Vernetzungstreffen, Schulungen der Bildungsraum-Verantwortlichen und Bildungsbörsen. Um aus Erfahrungen zu lernen und bestehende Bildungskonzepte für die Region zu adaptieren, wurde zudem ein Bildungs-Netzwerk mit regionalen und überregionalen Akteur*innen rund um den Bildungsbereich eingerichtet. Es entstand ein regionales Bildungsprogramm, das gemeinsam vermarktet wurde. Darüber hinaus gab es Kooperationen mit bestehenden Initiativen wie der "Dorfuni" oder der Montags-Akademie, beides Initiativen mit dem Ziel, Bildung für alle zu ermöglichen. Die Erfahrung zeigte: Die Motivation, in einem Netzwerk ehrenamtlich mitzuwirken, entsteht durch erlebte Sinnhaftigkeit, aber sie nimmt im Laufe der Zeit ab. Es ist leichter, neue Mitwirkende zu finden, als Mitwirkende dauerhaft zu halten. Und es braucht einen sehr klar formulierten persönlichen Nutzen, damit Personen an Weiterbildungen oder Veranstaltungen teilnehmen. Zusammengefasst: Es braucht Feingefühl für die richtigen Maßnahmen und das richtige Ausmaß und es bedarf vertrauensvoller Beziehungen sowie Lern-, Bildungs- und Netzwerkprozesse, die als sinnvoll und lebendig empfunden werden. (DIPF/Orig.)"Wissbegierige Bildungsregion" (Inquisitive Education Region) is an education project in the Weinviertel-Manhartsberg region that aims to bring education to municipalities and thus closer to the inhabitants of the Weinviertel. "Educational rooms" that are accessible to municipality residents interested in learning have been set up in the centre of villages. Each participating municipality needed a network of individuals responsible for different network activities and who actively operate these educational rooms. To this end, regular networking meetings, training for those responsible for the educational rooms and educational exchanges were organized. To learn from these experiences and adapt existing educational concepts to the region, an educational network with regional and transregional actors in the field of education was also set up. A regional educational programme was created that was jointly marketed. In addition, there was cooperation with existing initiatives such as the "Dorfuni" (Village Uni) or the Monday Academy, two initiatives whose goal is to facilitate education for everyone. The experience revealed that the commitment to being involved in a network on a voluntary basis arises through the experience of a sense of purpose, but it decreases over time. It is easier to find new volunteers than to retain volunteers permanently. For people to participate in continuing education or events, their personal benefit must be very clearly formulated. To sum up: Sensitivity to the right measures and the right number of activities is required, as are trusting relationships as well as learning, education and networking processes that are perceived as being meaningful and dynamic. (DIPF/Orig.

Senescent cells limit p53 activity via multiple mechanisms to remain viable

Super-enhancers regulate genes with important functions in processes that are cell type-specific or define cell identity. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts establish 40 senescence-associated super-enhancers regardless of how they become senescent, with 50 activated genes located in the vicinity of these enhancers. Here we show, through gene knockdown and analysis of three core biological properties of senescent cells that a relatively large number of senescence-associated super-enhancer-regulated genes promote survival of senescent mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Of these, Mdm2, Rnase4, and Ang act by suppressing p53-mediated apoptosis through various mechanisms that are also engaged in response to DNA damage. MDM2 and RNASE4 transcription is also elevated in human senescent fibroblasts to restrain p53 and promote survival. These insights identify key survival mechanisms of senescent cells and provide molecular entry points for the development of targeted therapeutics that eliminate senescent cells at sites of pathology