Changes in mammary infection status in dairy cows during the dry period using dry cow therapy approaches on three farms.

This case study evaluated the mammary infection status of dairy cows during the dry periods and explored the associated problems in their quarters with dry cow therapy (DCT). This study assessed intramammary infections, antibiotic efficacy, and antimicrobial resistance of pathogens in 464-quarter milk samples from 59 dairy cows during the dry periods after applying blanket DCT, non-DCT, and selective DCT approaches on three farms. The recovery rates of intramammary infections were 95% (19/20 quarters) with blanket DCT on farm A, 70% (14/20) with non-DCT on farm B, and 19% (4/21) with selective DCT on farm C. Analysis of mammary infections in cows with DCT revealed that mammary infections were controlled by blanket DCT, well controlled by non-DCT, and substantial problems remained in selective DCT. Lower intramammary infection prevalence in the quarters at postpartum appeared to be associated with higher recovery of mammary infections, fewer new infections, and lower uncured mammary infections within the herds. Antibacterial resistance in 14 coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated to six antimicrobial drugs was suggested to be linked to antibiotic use on the farm. Follow-up studies on the quarter-based infection status with DCT will assist in improving mastitis control in cows during the dry period.

The relationship between aflatoxin M1 and immunoglobulin levels in cows' colostrum.

The purpose of the present research was to assess the amounts of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, and IgM) in cow colostrum samples, as well as their relationship. The sampling involved 90 cows (54 Montofon and 36 Simmental) from 15 independent farms. An appropriate number of samples from the total mixed ration (TMR) used in feeding the cows were collected simultaneously with the colostrum samples. AFB1 in feed, AFM1, and immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, and IgM) levels in colostrum were evaluated using the ELISA method. The AFM1 level in colostrum samples exceeded the maximum allowed values for raw milk. Ig levels were higher in Montofon-breed cows' colostrum than in Simmentals. However, it was determined that neither the breed nor the lactation number significantly affected the colostrum Ig level. It was determined that there was no linear relationship between the number of lactations and immunoglobulin levels or between AFM1 and immunoglobulin levels in colostrum. Similarly, it was determined that there was no linear relationship between the AFB1 level in the feed and the AFM1 level in the colostrum of animals consuming these feeds.

Metagenomics reveals the characteristics and potential spread of microbiomes and virulence factor genes in the dairy cattle production system.

Virulence factor genes (VFGs) pose a potential threat to ecological security and animal health, and have attracted increasing attention in the livestock industry. As one of the primary livestock types, dairy cattle may be an important source of VFG transmission. However, the distribution, transmission, and evolution of VFGs in the gastrointestinal tract and surrounding environment of dairy cattle remain unclear. In the present study, a total of 263 samples were collected from cows, calves, colostrum, farm wastewater, and soil. Metagenomics was conducted to analyze changes in the microbiome and VFGs characteristics in these ecological niches. The VFGs of the cows showed distinct differences between the rumen and feces, and were influenced by the region. The dominant VFG hosts was regulated by their microbial structure. Colostrum administration of cows increased VFG abundance in their newborn calf feces sharply and Enterobacteriaceae became the primary host. While diet was the primary driving force for the temporal variation in calf VFGs. For samples of the surrounding environment, water and soil had higher VFG concentrations and were more structurally stable. Moreover, extensive interactions between the mobile genetic elements and VFGs and gene mobile analysis map based on metagenomic binning both displayed the potential horizontal transfer ability of VFGs in the cows and environment. Our study revealed the prevalence, diffusion, and regulatory factors of VFGs in dairy cattle production systems, providing novel insights into reducing livestock VFGs and limiting their spread.

Exploring the Gut Microbiota Landscape in Cow Milk Protein Allergy: Clinical Insights and Diagnostic Implications in Pediatric Patients.

Cow milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a significant health concern characterized by adverse immune reactions to cow milk proteins. Biomarkers for the accurate diagnosis and prognosis of CMPA are lacking. This study analyzed the clinical features of CMPA, and 16S RNA sequencing was used to investigate potential biomarkers through fecal microbiota profiling. Children with CMPA exhibit a range of clinical symptoms, including gastrointestinal (83% of patients), skin (53% of patients), and respiratory manifestations (26% of patients), highlighting the complexity of this condition. Laboratory analysis revealed significant differences in red cell distribution width (RDW) and inflammatory markers between the CMPA and control groups, suggesting immune activation and inflammatory responses in CMPA. Microbial diversity analysis revealed higher specific diversity indices in the CMPA group compared with those in control group, with significant differences at the genus and species levels. Bacteroides were more abundant in the CMPA group, whereas Bifidobacterium, Ruminococcus, Faecalibacterium, and Parabacteroides were less abundant. The control group exhibited a balanced microbial profile, with a predominant presence of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Akkermansia muciniphila. The significant abundance of Bifidobacterium in the control group (23.19% vs 9.89% in CMPA) was associated with improved growth metrics such as height and weight, suggesting its potential as a probiotic to prevent CMPA and enhance gut health. Correlation analysis linked specific microbial taxa such as Coprococcus and Bifidobacterium to clinical parameters such as family allergy history, weight and height, providing insights into CMPA pathogenesis. Significant differences in bacterial abundance suggested diagnostic potential, with a panel of 6 bacteria achieving high predictive accuracy (area under curve (AUC) = 0.8708). This study emphasizes the complex relationship between the gut microbiota and CMPA, offering valuable insights into disease mechanisms and diagnostic strategies.

Epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in commensal E. coli from healthy dairy cattle on a Mediterranean pasture-based system of Australia: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in commensal E. coli from healthy lactating cows and calves in the Mediterranean pasture-based feeding dairy system of Western Australia (WA). Fecal samples were collected from healthy adult lactating cows and healthy calves from dairy farms in WA. Presumptive commensal E. coli was isolated from these samples and confirmed using matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Broth microdilution was used to assess the prevalence and the phenotypic AMR profiles of the E. coli isolates to 8 antimicrobial agents of dairy industry and human importance. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for each isolate was interpreted using the Epidemiologic Cutoff (ECOFF) and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints. Genomic characterization provided multi-locus sequence types and AMR genes for a selection of isolates categorised as non-wild type (NWT) by ECOFF values for the combination of ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline. From a total of 1,117 fecal samples (633 adult, 484 calf) collected across 26 randomly selected farms, 891 commensal E. coli isolates were recovered (541 adult, 350 calf). Commensal E. coli classified as NWT was highest for ampicillin for both adult (68.8%; 95% CI = 64.7 - 72.7) and calf feces (67.1%; 95% CI = 62.0 - 72.0). A large proportion of tetracycline NWT and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole NWT organisms were also identified from calf feces, being 44.0% (95% CI = 38.7 - 49.4) and 24.6% (95% CI = 20.2 - 29.4) respectively. Clinical resistance prevalence was low, being higher for calves than for adult feces (ampicillin (adult: 7.8% (95% CI = 5.7 - 10.3); calf: 30.0% (95% CI = 25.2 - 35.1), tetracycline (adult: 6.3% (95% CI = 4.4 - 8.7); calf: 40.3% (95% CI = 35.1 - 45.6), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (adult: 2.6% (95% CI = 1.4 - 4.3); calf: 22.0% (95% CI = 17.7 - 26.7)). Commensal E. coli originating from calf feces was significantly higher in NWT prevalence compared with adult feces for ciprofloxacin (P = 0.023), gentamicin (P = 0.02), tetracycline (P < 0.001), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (P < 0.001). The overall number of antimicrobials an isolate was classified as NWT toward varied among farms and was significantly higher for isolates originating from calf than adult feces (P < 0.001). The strain type and sampling source of the commensal E. coli investigated were both associated with the commonality of the resultant resistance genome. Clinical resistance and NWT classification were highest for ampicillin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, all antimicrobials commonly used in the treatment of dairy cattle in Australia. Though highly variable across farms, commensal E. coli isolated from healthy dairy calf feces had significantly higher NWT and multidrug resistance (MDR) prevalence compared with feces from healthy adult lactating dairy cows. The resistant genome identified in MDR isolates, though not always consistent with the phenotype, included QnrS1 and genes encoding AmpC ß-lactamase and aminoglycoside phosphotransferase.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of cow-level factors affecting milk urea nitrogen and urinary nitrogen output under pasture-based diets.

With dairy cattle farming under pressure to lower its environmental footprint it is important to find effective on-farm proxies for evaluation and monitoring of management practices aimed at reducing the risk of nitrogen (N) losses and optimizing N use efficiency of dairy farm systems. Urinary N (UN) is regarded as the most potent source of N emissions. In contrast to confinement systems, there have been few studies from pasture-based systems associating on-farm animal and nutritional factors with UN output. Thus, the aims of this meta-analysis were to collate a database from pasture-based research to: (a) investigate the associations of management, dietary, and animal variables with MUN concentration, and daily UN output; (b) describe the MUN-UN association; and (c) assess whether animal, management, and dietary factors influence the relationship. We developed a data set consisting of 95 observations representing 919 lactating dairy cattle fed pasture-based diets, which was compiled from 32 unique research publications that reported both MUN and UN output. Multi-level, mixed meta-analysis regression techniques were used to analyze the data. Initially, all variables were assessed as the sole fixed effect in a 2-level random effects model, accounting for within publication heterogeneity. Meta-regression techniques were then used to assess the relationship of all variables with MUN and UN output, respectively, accounting for 3 sources of variability: the sampling error of the individual observation, within publication heterogeneity, and among publication heterogeneity. At the univariable level, despite more than 10 dietary, animal, or management variables being significantly associated with MUN, none explained a large amount of the MUN variation. The variables that explained the greatest amount of variation were dietary crude protein (CP) content and the nitrogen: metabolizable energy content ratio, which explained about 33% and 31% of the variation in MUN concentrations, respectively. Combining factors in multiple regressions improved the model fit, such that the variation within publications explained by dietary CP and N intake increased to 40.0% in the final multiple meta-regression model. For UN output, individual variables explained a greater proportion of variance reported among observations, compared with MUN, whereby diet CP content (pseudo R2 = 66.1%), N to metabolizable energy intake ratio (pseudo R2 = 64.0%), N intake (pseudo R2 = 58.3%), and MUN (pseudo R2 = 43.5%) explained the greatest amount of the total variation. Milk urea nitrogen, N intake and dry matter intake were associated with UN output in the final multiple meta-regression model. Substantial heterogeneity existed in both MUN and UN among publications, with among publication heterogeneity accounting for 73.4% of all the variation noted in MUN, and 88.6% of all the variation in UN output. As such, the meta-analyses could not predict MUN and UN to any great extent. It is recommended that a consistent approach to measuring and reporting MUN concentrations and UN output is carried out for all future research in pasture-based systems.

Effects of supplementing rumen-protected arginine on performance of transition cows.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing rumen-protected arginine (RPA) on productive performance in dairy cows. One-hundred and 2 cows were blocked by parity and then by energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield. Within block, cows were randomly assigned to control (CON) that received 200 g/d of a mixture of hydrogenated soybean oil and heat-treated soybean meal to supply 30 g of metabolizable protein (MP), or 200 g/d of a product containing 30 g of metabolizable arginine (RPA), which increased the dietary arginine from 5.7 to 7.5% of the MP from 250 d of gestation to 21 d postpartum. After 21 d postpartum, cows were fed the same diet and data were collected until 84 d postpartum. Cows fed RPA produced an additional 2.5 kg of colostrum (5.3 vs. 7.8 ± 1.0 kg) and 220 g more immunoglobulin G (526 vs. 746 ± 93 g) than CON cows. Supplementing RPA increased the yields of milk (32.8 vs. 34.9 ± 1.0 kg/d), ECM (37.8 vs. 40.9 ± 1.2 kg/d), and milk total solids (4.48 vs. 4.86 ± 0.14 kg/d) in the first 21 DIM. The benefits of RPA extended beyond the period of supplementation, with a 6.4% increase in yield of ECM per kg of dry matter consumed in all cows (1.88 vs. 2.00 ± 0.05 kg/kg) and an increase in ECM yield, but only in parous cows (44.2 vs. 48.5 ± 1.5 kg/d). Feeding RPA increased the concentrations of urea N in plasma pre- (12.5 vs. 13.9 ± 0.4 mg/dL) and postpartum (11.6 vs. 13.2 ± 0.4 mg/dL), and in milk during the first 21 d postpartum (11.0 vs. 12.0 ± 0.3 mg/dL). Treatment did not affect the concentrations of AA in plasma prepartum, but feeding RPA tended to increase citrulline (72.5 vs. 77.5 ± 2.7 µM), whereas RPA either tended to decrease isoleucine (129.5 vs. 120.9 ± 5.7 µM) or decreased the concentrations of leucine (181.3 vs. 170.2 ± 6.4 µM) and valine (293.2 vs. 276.7 ± 10.4 µM) postpartum. Feeding RPA increased the relative expression of transcripts involved in AA transport (SLC38A4), urea cycle (ARG1), and gluconeogenesis (PC, PEPCK, and G6PC) in hepatic tissue. Feeding diets to supply additional arginine as RPA during the transition period benefited productive performance in dairy cows that extended beyond the period of supplementation despite minor changes in plasma AA concentrations.

Mechanism of collagen type IV regulation by focal adhesion kinase during retained fetal membranes in dairy cows.

Retained fetal membranes (RFM) is an important reproductive disease in dairy cows, caused by maternal and fetal placental tissue adhesion. The main collagen in maternal and fetal placenta tissues is collagen type IV (COL-IV) and its breakdown is the key to placental expulsion. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has been shown to regulate the hydrolysis of Col-IV by affecting the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity, but the regulation of the mechanisms involved in placenta expulsion in dairy cows after postpartum are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the pathogenic mechanism of RFM by studying the relationship between the FAK signaling pathway and COL-IV regulation. Maternal placental tissues were collected from six healthy and six cows with RFM of similar age, parity, body condition and milk yield at 12 h postpartum. In vitro experiments were performed on bovine endometrial epithelial cells from three groups including a FAK inhibitor group, a FAK activator group and a control group without FAK inhibitor and activator. The abundance of molecules involved in the FAK signaling pathway and COL-IV was detected by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The immunohistochemical results showed that the key molecules of FAK signaling pathway FAK, Src, MMP-2 and MMP-9 and Col-IV were expressed in placental tissues. The expression level of FAK, Src, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were significantly down-regulated (P < 0.05) and the abundances of COL-IV were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05) in maternal placental tissues of RFM cows compared with healthy cows. In the FAK inhibitor treatment group, the relative expression levels of FAK and other related proteins were significantly down-regulated (P < 0.05) and the relative expression levels of COL-IV were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05) with the results of the FAK activation group the opposite. These results indicated that FAK in maternal endometrial epithelial cells could regulate the hydrolysis process of Col-IV through the expression of key factors of signaling pathways and promote collagen hydrolysis, which in turn facilitated the process of postpartum placenta expulsion in dairy cows.

Molecular characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of bovine mastitis agents in western Türkiye.

IMPORTANCE: Identifying bovine mastitis agents using molecular methods to reveal their phylogenetic relationships and antimicrobial resistance profiles is essential for developing up-to-date databases in mastitis cases that cause severe economic losses. OBJECTIVE: This study examined bacterial mastitis agents in cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis observed in various dairy cattle farms to reveal their phylogenetic relationships and antibiotic resistance properties. METHODS: Sixty-two clinical and subclinical bovine mastitis milk samples were collected from 15 dairy farms. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the 16S rRNA gene regions of the bacteria. The 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained from sequencing include the V4-V6 regions. The strains were compared using a similarity analysis method that produced phylogenetic trees using the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis 11 program. Antibiotic susceptibilities were determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. RESULTS: Sixty-three bacteria were isolated and identified in this study. The most isolated bacteria from all mastitis cases were Staphylococcus spp. (30.2%), Escherichia coli (25.4%), Streptococcus spp. (14.3%), and Aerococcus spp. (7.9%), respectively. The phylogenetic trees were drawn from the 16S rRNA sequences. Some of these bacteria showed resistance to different types of antibiotics at varying rates. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The bacteria isolated in this study originated from environmental sources. Regular cleaning of barns and proper hygiene practices are essential. Regular screenings for mastitis should be conducted in herds instead of the random or empirical use of antibiotics.

Prevention of allergies and infections by minimally processed milk in infants-The MARTHA feasibility and safety trial.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of raw cow's milk has repeatedly been shown to protect from asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections. As raw milk bears potential health hazards, it cannot be recommended for prevention. Therefore, we performed an intervention study with microbially safe but otherwise minimally processed cow's milk. Here we describe feasibility and safety of the trial. METHODS: The MARTHA trial (DRKS00014781) was set up as a double-blind randomized intervention in a population residing in Bavaria. Infants from 6 to 36 months of age consumed minimally processed cow's milk (intervention arm) or ultra-heat-treated (UHT) semi-skimmed milk (comparator arm). RESULTS: At the age of 6 to 12 months, 260 infants were enrolled, with 72% having a family history of atopy. The extensive screening system for milk consumption and symptoms suggestive of adverse events was well accepted with 22,988 completed weekly surveys and an average completion of 82% surveys sent out. The children consumed the study milk on average on 457 days (61% of intervention days). The intervention proved to be safe without any case of milk allergy or milk intolerance under the intervention in both arms. All 6 cases of serious adverse events were unrelated to milk. The most common reason was unscheduled hospitalization of more than 3 days. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention with minimally processed milk and the study instruments proved feasible. During the age of 6 to 36 months, there was no increased risk of milk allergy in a population with a substantial proportion of family history of atopy.

Vertical back movement of cows during locomotion: detecting lameness with a simple image processing technique.

This research paper proposes a simple image processing technique for automatic lameness detection in dairy cows under farm conditions. Seventy-five cows were selected from a dairy farm and visually assessed for a reference/real lameness score (RLS) as they left the milking parlor, while simultaneously being video-captured. The method employed a designated walking path and video recordings processed through image analysis to derive a new computerized automatic lameness score (ALDS) based on calculated factors from back arch posture. The proposed automatic lameness detection system was calibrated using 12 cows, and the remaining 63 were used to evaluate the diagnostic characteristics of the ALDS. The agreement and correlation between ALDS and RLS were investigated. ALDS demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy with 100% sensitivity and specificity and was found to be 100% accurate with a perfect agreement (ρc = 1) and strong correlation (r = 1, P < 0.001) for lameness detection in binary scores (lame/non-lame). Moreover, the ALDS had a strong agreement (ρc = 0.885) and was highly correlated (r = 0.840; 0.796-1.000 95% confidence interval, P < 0.001) with RLS in ordinal scores (lameness severity; LS1 to LS5). Our findings suggest that the proposed method has the potential to compete with vision-based lameness detection methods in dairy cows in farm conditions.

Mounting exhibited between cows is not associated with sexual motivation.

Females of various species exhibit mounting behavior toward other mature females, i.e., female-female (f-f) mounting. Cows exhibit f-f mounting, which is commonly considered a sexual behavior based on a few similarities with male sexual mounting. Here, we hypothesized that the degree of f-f mounting exhibited by cows in estrus would increase when they are sexually motivated by sexually relevant stimuli. To test this hypothesis, two groups of four cows each were prepared. First, estrus was induced in one of the cows in each group by injecting estradiol in the presence of a non-sexually active male steer as a stimulus animal (steer-stimulus condition), and all f-f mounts were recorded. Estrus induction was repeated until induced in all cows. We then changed the stimulus animal from the steer to a sexually active bull (bull-stimulus condition), and the estrus induction procedures were repeated as before. We confirmed that estrus was induced successfully in cows injected with estradiol and that they were sexually motivated by switching the stimulus animal from steer to bull, as they spent relatively more time with the stimulus animal in the bull-stimulus than in the steer-stimulus condition and when not in estrus. However, f-f mounting frequency in the bull-stimulus condition showed no significant difference to that in the steer-stimulus condition. We observed that six of the eight subjects exhibited f-f mounting when not in estrus, which accounted for 44.6 % of f-f mounting we observed (n = 668). These findings suggest that f-f mounting in cows is not associated with sexual motivation.

Low-dose oral food challenges.

BACKGROUND: Infants aged <1 year with confirmed food allergies generally need to avoid causative foods completely for a certain period. Low-dose oral food challenges (LD-OFCs) may be an effective strategy for safely introducing small amounts of causative foods to individuals with food allergies. This study clarified the safety of LD-OFCs in infants aged <1 year with food allergies. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of LD-OFCs performed in infants aged <1 year allergic to hen's egg, cow's milk, or wheat between April 2014 and October 2017. Approximately 1/25th-1/20th of the egg white from a heated whole hen's egg, 3 mL heated cow's milk, and 2 g wheat noodles (udon) were used as challenge foods. We examined the LD-OFC results, including the induced symptoms and treatment required for positive LD-OFC results. RESULTS: The LD-Egg, LD-Milk, and LD-Wheat OFC groups comprised 68, 42, and 13 participants, respectively. The positivity rates for the LD-Egg, LD-Milk, and LD-Wheat OFC groups were 7%, 24%, and 0%, respectively. Patients predominantly exhibited skin symptoms, and most were treated with oral antihistamines alone. None of the patients experienced anaphylaxis or required adrenaline injections. CONCLUSIONS: Infants aged <1 year with food allergies can safely undergo LD-OFCs by consuming low doses of causative foods. Avoiding the complete elimination of causative foods is an important strategy for managing infants with food allergies when initially introducing causative foods.

Gut microbiome features in pediatric food allergy: a scoping review.

Increasing evidence suggests that alterations in the gut microbiome (GM) play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pediatric food allergy (FA). This scoping review analyzes the current evidence on GM features associated with pediatric FAs and highlights the importance of the GM as a potential target of intervention for preventing and treating this common condition in the pediatric age. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, we searched PubMed and Embase using the keywords (gut microbiome OR dysbiosis OR gut microbiota OR microbiome signatures) AND (food allergy OR IgE-mediated food allergy OR food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis OR food protein-induced enterocolitis OR non-IgE food allergy OR cow milk allergy OR hen egg allergy OR peanut allergy OR fish allergy OR shellfish allergy OR tree nut allergy OR soy allergy OR wheat allergy OR rice allergy OR food sensitization). We included 34 studies reporting alterations in the GM in children affected by FA compared with healthy controls. The GM in pediatric FAs is characterized by a higher abundance of harmful microorganisms (e.g., Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridium sensu stricto, Ruminococcus gnavus, and Blautia spp.) and lower abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Bifidobacteriaceae, Lactobacillaceae, some Bacteroides species). Moreover, we provide an overview of the mechanisms of action elicited by these bacterial species in regulating immune tolerance and of the main environmental factors that can modulate the composition and function of the GM in early life. Altogether, these data improve our knowledge of the pathogenesis of FA and can open the way to innovative diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies for managing these conditions.

Relationship between the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin treatment on the fifth day after artificial insemination and ovarian ultrasonographic findings and blood nutritional metabolic factors in dairy cows.

The objective of the present study was to determine the ovarian ultrasonographic findings and metabolic factors that influence the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment on the fifth day after artificial insemination (AI) in dairy cows. Thirty-seven lactating Holstein cows were assigned to two groups: the hCG group (n = 25), which received 3000 IU of hCG intramuscularly on Day 5 after AI (day of AI = Day 0), and the control group (n = 12), which received no treatment. Ovarian ultrasonography measured luteal tissue area (LTA), luteal blood flow area (LBF), relative LBF (= LBF/LTA), and dominant follicle area on Day 5. Blood tests measured plasma insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin, and metabolite concentrations on Day 5 and plasma progesterone concentrations on Days 5 and 7. LBF was greater in pregnant cows than in non-pregnant cows, and plasma Glu concentration was lesser in pregnant cows than in non-pregnant cows, but in both cases there was no interaction between group and pregnancy outcome. For plasma insulin concentration, there was an interaction between group and pregnancy outcome, with pregnant cows in the hCG group having lesser concentrations than the other groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that group and the interaction between group and plasma insulin concentration were associated with pregnancy outcome. These results suggest that the effect of hCG treatment on Day 5 after AI is related to plasma insulin concentration and is more effective in cows with lesser plasma insulin concentrations.

Deep-learning classification of teat-end conditions in Holstein cattle.

As a means of preventing mastitis, deep learning for classifying teat-end conditions in dairy cows has not yet been optimized. By using 1426 digital images of dairy cow udders, the extent of teat-end hyperkeratosis was assessed using a four-point scale. Several deep-learning networks based on the transfer learning approach have been used to evaluate the conditions of the teat ends displayed in the digital images. The images of the teat ends were partitioned into training (70 %) and validation datasets (15 %); afterwards, the network was evaluated based on the remaining test dataset (15 %). The results demonstrated that eight different ImageNet models consistently achieved high accuracy (80.3-86.6 %). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the normal, smooth, rough, and very rough classification scores in the test data set ranged from 0.825 to 0.999. Thus, improved accuracy in image-based classification of teat tissue conditions in dairy cattle using deep learning requires more training images. This method could help farmers reduce the risks of intramammary infections, decrease the use of antimicrobials, and better manage costs associated with mastitis detection and treatment.

Photothermal-Induced Multimodal Antibacterial Dressing Comprising N-Halamine Hydrogel Loaded with Cow Dung Biochar for Infected Wound Healing.

Disposal of the cow dung pollutants arising from cattle farming threatens the environment and public safety in diverse ways. To date, researchers have worked on developing new pathways to control and manage cattle farming wastes, but most do not involve the reuse of these wastes. Herein, a cow dung biochar-modulated photothermal N-halamine hydrogel (i.e., PAN/CA/CoBC/pMAG-Cl) was designed for converting cow dung into biochar (CoBC), which was then coupled with a 3D interpenetrating hydrogel network to treat infected wounds. The PAN/CA/CoBC/pMAG-Cl hydrogel exhibited excellent synergistic antibacterial performance against 106 CFU·mL-1 Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) within 60 min. The bactericidal effect was multimodal, involving CoBC-based photothermal killing (i.e., temperature as high as 80.5 °C) after 808 nm near-infrared light irradiation for 10 min, contact killing through the strong oxidative characteristic of N-halamine (pMAG-Cl), and release killing via active halogens (i.e., Cl+) reinforced by the photothermal action of CoBC. The S. aureus-infected wound model in vivo demonstrated that the PAN/CA/CoBC/pMAG-Cl hydrogel worked as an ideal wound dressing, capable of resisting bacterial infection, accelerating the healing process, and promoting epithelial regeneration. This proposed strategy could indicate a new way for the disposal of cow dung pollutant and its reuse in antibacterial-associated applications.

Decoding the relationship between cow's milk proteins and development of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To analyze in silico the evidence of molecular mimicry between human beta-cell autoantigens and cow's milk proteins as a potential type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) trigger. Materials and methods: The in silico analysis was performed using bioinformatics tools to compare the amino acid sequences of cow's milk proteins (bovine serum albumin [BSA] and beta-lactoglobulin [BLG]) and human beta-cell autoantigens (glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 [GAD-65], insulin, and zinc transporter 8 [ZnT8]). The structural and functional characteristics of the proteins were analyzed to identify potential molecular mimicry mechanisms. Results: The results of the in silico analysis showed significant sequence similarity between BSA/BLG and GAD-65/human insulin/ZnT8, ranging from 19.64% to 27.27%. The cow's milk proteins evaluated shared structural features with the beta-cell antigens selected for comparison, indicating a potential for molecular mimicry between these proteins. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide further evidence for a potential role of cow's milk proteins in triggering T1DM. The in silico analysis suggests that molecular mimicry mechanisms between cow's milk proteins and human beta-cell antigens may contribute to the autoimmune response leading to T1DM.

Retrospective Cohort Study Demonstrates Tolerance and Adherence to Pea-Based Complete Enteral Formula When Transitioned from a Previous Hypoallergenic Product.

BACKGROUND: Plant-based formulas have become increasingly popular due to their health benefits, environmental concerns, cultural beliefs, improved palatability, and decreased cost. A retrospective chart review of medically stable children transitioning from a hypoallergenic formula to a yellow pea protein plant-based formula (PPPBF) was included. This study aimed to assess gastrointestinal tolerance, weight changes, and adherence to receiving a unique PPPBF. METHODS: Healthcare providers (HCPs) from pediatric clinics across the United States who requested increased PPPBF samples between the dates of 1 November 2021and 31 January 2022 and again from 1 February 2022 to 15 April 2022 inputted survey data. The HCPs selected participants based on the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Seventy-three completed patient surveys were included of children (ages 1-18 years old, 41% females, 59% males). After the transition to PPPBF, 38.4% experienced improvement in GI tolerance, 56.2% experienced no change, and 5.5% reported worsening GI tolerance. There was a 95% adherence rate, and 98.9% reported no adverse reactions or allergic manifestations after formula transition. CONCLUSIONS: Transitioning from a hypoallergenic formula to a PPPBF showed a trend toward stable GI tolerance, weight gain or stability, and adherence. A PPPBF offers a first-choice option for children who are on hypoallergenic formulas due to intolerance.

Metals in honey, cow's milk and eggs in North-East Algeria and health risk.

Metal contamination of foodstuffs is a major public health challenge of increasing concern. The present study aimed to determine lead, cadmium and mercury in honey, cow's milk and poultry eggs collected from the North-Eastern region of Algeria and to evaluate the health risks associated with their regular consumption. To this aim 30 samples of each foodstuff were analysed using ICP-MS. Among the quantified heavy metals, Pb was found at the highest level in both honey (0.752 ± 0.16 µg g-1) and poultry egg (0.988 ± 0.19 µg g-1) in the region of Skikda. The highest values of Cd (0.798 ± 0.12 µg g-1) and Hg (0.097 ± 0.02 µg g-1) were found in poultry eggs collected from the same region. For infants the Hazard Index was well above 1 in honey samples from all three locations, in cow's milk collected from Mila and Skikda and in poultry eggs collected from Skikda.