Exploring associations between the teat apex metagenome and Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infections in primiparous cows under organic directives.

The primary objective of this study was to identify associations between the prepartum teat apex microbiome and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infections (IMI) in primiparous cows during the first 5 weeks after calving. We performed a case-control study using shotgun metagenomics of the teat apex and culture-based milk data collected longitudinally from 710 primiparous cows on five organic dairy farms. Cases had higher odds of having S. aureus metagenomic DNA on the teat apex prior to parturition compared to controls (OR = 38.9, 95% CI: 14.84-102.21). Differential abundance analysis confirmed this association, with cases having a 23.8 higher log fold change (LFC) in the abundance of S. aureus in their samples compared to controls. Of the most prevalent microorganisms in controls, those associated with a lower risk of post-calving S. aureus IMI included Microbacterium phage Min 1 (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.25-0.53), Corynebacterium efficiens (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.30-0.94), Kocuria polaris (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.35-0.82), Micrococcus terreus (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.44-0.93), and Dietzia alimentaria (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.26-0.75). Genes encoding for Microcin B17 AMPs were the most prevalent on the teat apex of cases and controls (99.7% in both groups). The predicted abundance of genes encoding for Microcin B17 was also higher in cases compared to controls (LFC 0.26). IMPORTANCE: Intramammary infections (IMI) caused by Staphylococcus aureus remain an important problem for the dairy industry. The microbiome on the external skin of the teat apex may play a role in mitigating S. aureus IMI risk, in particular the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) by commensal microbes. However, current studies of the teat apex microbiome utilize a 16S approach, which precludes the detection of genomic features such as genes that encode for AMPs. Therefore, further research using a shotgun metagenomic approach is needed to understand what role prepartum teat apex microbiome dynamics play in IMI risk.

The value of preoperative mammograms in nononcologic breast surgery.

It remains unclear whether preoperative mammograms are necessary in young patients having nononcologic breast surgery. Various authors have recommended mammography in all such cases, in conflict with guidelines from the American Cancer Society. We conducted a retrospective study to determine the utility of preoperative mammograms in young women. From 1989 through 1994, 208 patients under 35 years of age had elective breast surgery in our institution. Fifty-one (24.5%) had preoperative mammography. No malignancies were diagnosed. We believe mammograms are not routinely needed before elective breast surgery in patients under 35 years of age.

Is this legal? A non-profit primer on lobbying and political activities.

Lobbying by tax-exempt entities is permissible, but regulated by the Internal Revenue Code. Tax-exempt entities that lobby should not be confused with political activity by tax-exempt entities. Although a public charity may not involve itself in political campaign activities in any way, a public charity may engage in a certain level of lobbying activities. Consider three hypothetical situations involving CEOs of health care providers.