Dam-calf contact rearing in Switzerland: Aspects of management and milking.

Cow-calf contact (CCC) rearing is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to the common practice of early separation of cow and calf in dairy management. Milkability can be impaired in nursing cows, which contributes to the loss of machine milk yield caused by calf intake, especially in pure dam-calf contact (DCC) systems. The aims of this study were (1) to describe the current status quo of DCC rearing regarding management and milking and (2) to evaluate the effects of DCC (suckling and milking vs. milking alone) and the effects of different types of DCC on milkability parameters, teat condition, and behavior during milking on Swiss DCC farms. By means of 17 telephone interviews with DCC farmers, we collected data on DCC management, housing, separation and weaning processes, milking procedures and techniques, and perceived milkability problems. Subsequently, we collected data on 10 of the interviewed DCC farms (183 cows): 4 DCC farms with a whole-day contact (WDC) system, 3 farms with DCC before milking (CBM), and 3 farms with DCC after milking (CAM). Five farms on which calves had no contact with dams were chosen as reference farms (178 cows). Using a milk flow meter, the occurrence of ejection disorders, bimodality of the milk flow curve, machine milk yield, duration of the decline phase, and duration of prestimulation were measured. The average mouthpiece chamber vacuum during the main milking phase and hind leg activity during milking were measured using a pressure sensor and an accelerometer, respectively. After cluster removal, the teat condition was evaluated, and a stripping milk sample was taken for fat content analysis. The interview results revealed that 8 of the 17 farms surveyed had a WDC system, and 2 farms operated a daytime DCC system. Contact before milking was applied by 3 farms, and 3 farms allowed CAM. On one farm, calves had access to dams 3 times a day. A great diversity in cow-calf management was found. In the on-farm data collection, 20 milkings of a total of 701 milkings examined met the criteria for a clear ejection disorder, with 17 of these observations occurring on WDC farms and none on reference farms. The stripping milk fat content was lower in nursing cows, indicating a lower degree of udder emptying. Machine milk yield was higher in nursing CAM cows than in nursing WDC and CBM cows. Farm types did not differ regarding teat condition, hind leg activity, or the occurrence of bimodal milk flow curves. In conclusion, the large variation in individual management approaches to DCC rearing even within DCC types, such as calf housing or cow breeds, implies caution when interpreting results. Contact after milking may be the system most beneficial for some productivity parameters, but adequate calf supply must be ensured. Higher amounts of milk remaining in the udder after cluster removal indicate that nursing can affect milkability, but future research should consider the effects of udder filling before milking to better interpret the fat content of stripping milk.

Effects of small milking stalls on stress responses in dairy cows during milking in group milking parlors.

Milking stall dimensions have not been adapted to the increase in cow body size caused by selection for better milking performance over the past decades. Improper milking stall dimensions might limit cow comfort, could lead to stress responses during milking and thus could negatively affect cow welfare. A crossover study was conducted in an experimental milking parlor that was converted from a herringbone (HB) to a side-by-side (SBS) parlor. The milking stall dimensions were modified in length and width and for HB also in depth (perpendicular distance between rump rail and breast rail). The stall dimensions applied during the experiments ranged from much smaller than common in European dairy farming to much larger. Treatments were applied for 2 wk per milking parlor type. In each milking parlor type, a total of 30 cows, kept in 2 groups were observed during milking for behavioral and physiological stress responses and for milking performance. In addition, milk cortisol levels and somatic cell counts were measured at the end of the 2-wk period. Outcome variables were selected based on a principal component analysis and analyzed using mixed effects models reflecting the experimental design. The results showed that the first cow per milking batch required more time (on average >40 s) to enter very small HB stalls than to enter small, large and very large stalls (<30 s). Also, cows yielded more milk per milking in very small and very large HB stalls than in the small and large milking stall dimensions [very small: 15.8 kg; 95% confidence interval (CI), 14.2-17.4 kg); small: 14.3 kg (95% CI, 12.8-15.9 kg); large: 14.6 kg (95% CI, 13.1-16.1 kg); very large: 16.1 kg (95% CI, 14.6-17.6 kg)]. The other behavioral, physiological and milk flow parameters as well as udder health were not affected by stall dimensions. For the SBS parlor, effects of milking stall dimensions were not detectable in any of the parameters. Despite the strong avoidance behavior to enter the milking parlor (measured as latency), no acute stress responses were found during milking. However, the study cannot exclude long-term effects of narrow stall dimensions on stress levels and possibly udder health, which should be investigated in future studies.

Effects of milking stall dimensions on behavior of dairy cows during milking in different milking parlor types.

Dairy cow body size has increased over time because of breeding selection for higher milk yield, but milking stall dimensions have never been adjusted and are based on the practical experience of milking-machine manufacturers and advisory institutions. Narrow, limited milking stall dimensions might lead to behavioral changes during milking due to lack of comfort. The aim of this study was to examine the current space allowance in milking stalls on dairy farms and assess the effect of space allowance on cow behavior during milking. On 15 Swiss dairy farms, we measured clear milking stall dimensions and cow body dimensions. We calculated space ratios for length (SRlength) and width (SRwidth) by dividing the milking stall length or width by cow body length or belly width, respectively. When the space ratio was >1, we assumed that the body length or width of cow was smaller than the milking stall length or width. On each farm, 10 healthy cows were chosen for behavioral observation during 1 evening milking. We recorded rumination, elimination, and latency to enter the milking stall by direct observation. Hind leg activity was recorded using acceleration loggers. Data were analyzed using general linear mixed-effects models with farm as a random effect. Due to a strong collinearity between SRwidth and SRlength, we chose SRlength for further analysis, because it is based on skeletal characteristics. The SRlength was smallest in side-by-side parlors (1.07 ± 0.01) and largest in tandem parlors (1.18 ± 0.01). More cows had a tendency to ruminate with increasing SRlength (odds ratio: 1.8). None of hind leg activity, maximum peaks of hind leg accelerations, or latency to enter the milking stall were significantly affected by SRlength. Latency to enter the milking stall was longer for group milking parlors (side-by-side: 44.0 ± 3.2 s; herringbone: 34.3 ± 2.9 s) than for tandem parlors (19.0 ± 2.7 s). Milking parlor type had no effect on hind leg activity, maximum peaks of hind leg accelerations or rumination. The SRlength affected rumination behavior to some extent, indicating that cow comfort was positively affected by larger milking stall length. Because cow comfort is important for good milking performance, further investigations of milking stall dimensions for cow comfort and thus welfare are needed. Furthermore, the results showed that parlor type affected cow behavior, irrespective of SRlength, making future research necessary to identify the factors leading to this effect of parlor type.

Improving ergonomics in milking parlors: empirical findings for optimal working heights in five milking parlor types.

Milking postures have shifted from seated milking in tethered stalls to milking in a standing position in parlors. However, the musculoskeletal workload of dairy farmers remains high. Previous studies have shown that different working heights affect ergonomics, but they could not objectively evaluate and quantify the workload. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of working height in different milking parlor types on the milker's workload during the task of attaching milking clusters. Computer-assisted recording and long-term analysis of movements were used to record positions of joints and body regions while performing certain tasks in terms of angular degrees of joints (ADJ) according to the neutral zero method. The 5th, 50th, and 95th percentiles described the distribution of angular degree values measured for each joint. The ADJ were evaluated according to international standards and other scientific literature on the issue to assess the muscular load. The workload was compared between 5 parlor types (auto tandem, herringbone 30°, herringbone 50°, parallel, and rotary) on 15 farms with 2 subjects per parlor and 1 milking period per subject. The working height was defined as a coefficient based on the milker's body height, the floor level, and the cow's udder height. The data recorded during the attachment task were analyzed using generalized linear mixed-effects models taking into account the hierarchical experimental design. The results indicated that the interaction of the cow's udder height, the milker's body height, and the parlor type had a larger effect on ergonomics than each parameter had independently. The interaction was significant in at least 1 of the 3 percentiles in 28 out of 31 ADJ. The postural differences between parlor types, however, were minor. A milking health formula was created to calculate the ideal depth of pit by considering the parlor type, the milker's height, and the mean herd udder height. This formula can be used to develop individual recommendations for future parlor construction.

Cubicle design and dairy cow rising and lying down behaviours in free-stalls with insufficient lunge space.

Cubicle partitions divide the resting area of free-stalls into individual lying places for cows, thereby facilitating the maintenance of good hygiene and reducing competition by separating animals. The forward lunge space in lying cubicles is often insufficient for a natural head lunge movement during rising. Cubicles with open frame partitions and a flexible neck strap aim to alleviate this welfare issue. The open partition frame facilitates lateral space sharing (using space of neighbouring cubicles for the head lunge movement) and the flexible neck strap is presumably less painful upon collision. In an observational study, we investigated the lying behaviour of free-stall housed dairy cows in this 'permissive' cubicle type with open frame partitions and a flexible neck strap positioned relatively high above the lying surface compared to 'restrictive' cubicles with partitions with more bar work in the lateral lunge space and a lower-positioned rigid neck rail. The study was conducted on commercial Swiss dairy farms with exclusively wall-facing lying cubicles of either the permissive (four farms) or restrictive (six farms) type. The forward lunge space on these farms ranged from 55 to 70 cm, which we considered insufficient for adult cows to lunge their heads forward. On each farm, 18-20 lactating dairy cows were selected. In total, 188 animals were used in the statistical analysis. Over 1.5 days, rising and lying down movements were videotaped, and the prevalence of atypical behaviours during these movements was recorded. In addition, we determined the daily lying duration, the lying frequency, and the mean lying bout duration using accelerometers mounted on the left hind leg. The data was analysed in relation to the cubicle type (permissive or restrictive). In the permissive cubicle type, staggered head lunge movements during rising and displays of hesitance before lying down were less prevalent. The lying frequency was higher, and daily lying duration was longer in the permissive cubicle type, although these estimates should be interpreted with caution due to the short data collection period. The results of this study suggest that the permissive cubicle with open partitions and a high-positioned flexible neck strap may improve conditions for dairy cows to rise and lie down. A permissive cubicle design may therefore improve cow welfare in free-stalls with insufficient forward lunge space, where increasing lunge space is not feasible.

Efficiency of the traditional practice of traps to stimulate black truffle production, and its ecological mechanisms.

The black truffle Tuber melanosporum was disseminated all over the world, propelled by the development of a wide variety of empirical practices. A widespread practice, called 'truffle trap', consists of placing pieces of truffles into excavations dug under host trees, and of collecting truffle in these traps in the next years. This research aims at (1) evaluating the effect of this practice on fruitbody production based on the analysis of 9924 truffle traps installed in 11 orchards across T. melanosporum native area in France and (2) exploring the mechanisms involved in fruitbody emergence using traps where the genotypes of introduced truffles were compared with those of fruitbodies collected in the same traps. We confirmed that truffle traps provide a major and highly variable part of truffle ground production, representing up to 89% of the collected fruitbodies. We evidenced a genetic link between introduced spores and collected fruitbodies, and then demonstrated that truffle growers provide paternal partners for mating with local maternal mycelia. We also highlighted that soil disturbance stimulate the vegetative development of established maternal mycelia. This research supports that a widely used traditional practice enhances fruitbody production by shaping favorable conditions and providing sexual partners required for fruiting.

Detection of cow hind-leg activity during milking by using a 3-dimensional accelerometer attached to the milking cluster.

Hind-leg activity in dairy cows during milking is considered an indicator of a stressful situation or discomfort. Automatic detection of cow hind-leg activity during milking could be used to monitor deficiencies at the cow, milking machine, or human level. We assumed that the milking cluster follows cow hind-leg movements during milking. Therefore, the aim of our study was to estimate the ability of a 3-dimensional (3D) accelerometer attached to the claw's hook of the milking cluster to indirectly measure cow hind-leg activity during milking. The behavior of 45 dairy cows during 1 morning and 1 evening milking in a 2 × 3 auto tandem milking parlor was monitored by using direct visual observations and a 3D accelerometer attached directly to the hook of each milking claw. We recorded when hind-leg foot-lifting or stepping (undifferentiated) and kicking behaviors occurred. Detected activities were obtained after applying a standard deviation filter (over a sliding window of 1 s) on the x (left/right lateral) acceleration axis only. We set the detection threshold at 0.13 g (i.e., 1.27 m·s-2), based on the visual evaluation of 10 "reference" graphs (from 5 randomly chosen cows). Periods of activity were created for each observed or detected activity (and for consecutive activities that were less than 3 s apart) to take into account the milking cluster's rocking motion resulting from a single movement. Observed and detected periods of activity were considered matching when they occurred simultaneously (with a 2-s delay acceptance in the visual observations). In total, 472 periods of hind-leg activity were observed. The detection of hind-leg activity by using a 3D accelerometer attached to the milking cluster was found to have 69% sensitivity, 99% specificity, 75% positive predictive value, 98% negative predictive value, and an overall accuracy of 97%. On average, cows were observed being active 0.94 times per minute and being detected active 0.86 times per minute. The observed and detected periods of activity were found to be correlated (r = 0.657). Therefore, the use of a 3D accelerometer attached to the milking cluster seems promising for reliably estimating cow hind-leg activity during milking. Nevertheless, further investigations are necessary to clarify whether other factors can cause variations in milking cluster movements, regardless of cow hind-leg activity, and to generalize our method to better identify deficiencies in cow-machine-human interactions.

Application of the Life Cycle Management of Analytical methods concept to a HPTLC-DPPH assay method for acteoside content in industrial extracts of Plantago lanceolata L.

Analytical methods used for quality control of plants and plant extracts are based on the identification and quantification of chemical markers to manage batch reproducibility and efficacy. The aim of this work was to assess the performance of a High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) method developed for quality control of industrial dry extracts of ribwort plantain (P. lanceolata L.), using 2,2-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyle (DPPH) effect directed chemical reaction for antioxidant activity of acteoside, a phenylethanoid glycoside commonly used as a marker for P. lanceolata L., and to demonstrate the applicability of the Life Cycle Management of Analytical Methods concept to quantitative HPTLC-DPPH methods. The first step was the determination of the Analytical Target Profile (ATP) and Target Measurement Uncertainty (TMU), taking into account the quality control requirements for such extracts and the detection method applicable range. Once the desired range was established, an evaluation of the calibration function was conducted using several calibration models. Due to the lack of reference samples, spiked samples were used to evaluate the accuracy of the method by means of Total Analytical Error (TAE) determination, using prediction intervals calculation for the selected calibration functions. Measurement Uncertainty (MU) was also estimated, allowing the final choice of the calibration function to be used for quality control, giving the most fit for purpose performance level in accordance with the product specifications. As Life Cycle Management of the method also includes its routine use, the Measurement Uncertainty was checked on spiked and unspiked extract samples with different dilution levels, in order to verify the accordance of results between spiked and unspiked samples and to prepare a replication strategy to be applied during the routine use of the method.

[Direct cost of cataract surgery in public hospital]. / Approche du coût direct de la chirurgie de la cataracte dans un établissement de santé public.

INTRODUCTION: With more than 500,000 operations per year, cataract surgery is the most performed act nowadays in France. Several techniques can be used but the phacoemulsification after micro-incision is the most common and the purpose is to put an intraocular lens into the eye. AIM: To approach the direct cost of the cataract surgery and to compare it to the amounts of reimbursements, and to get some epidemiological and statistical data about this surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study is prospective; many operations were followed up in the operating room and every following data were recorded: age of the patient, type of anaesthesia, type of intraocular lens, adverse events, name of surgeon, duration of the intervention, single use material and medications used during operation and their quantity for each operation. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five cataract surgeries were followed. Patients mean age was 74,1 years and the anaesthesia was topical in 87,2% of cases; only two patients had general anaesthesia. The mean duration was 42 minutes. The mean direct cost was 366 € but reached 630 € in case of capsular tear. The cost greatly varied depending on the surgeon. Two references of lens (foldable monofocal, that cost between 100 and 150 €) represented 80% of the implanted lenses. CONCLUSION: This type of study may lead to a standardisation of surgical techniques and evaluate the proportion of supply and medications in that type of surgery.

Hydrolysis of an aliphatic monoester in emulsion by swine pancreas lipase: influence of interfacial bile salts molecules upon reaction rate.

The accumulation of four bile salts at the interface between water and n-hexyl laurate is studied. Gibb's interfacial excesses of these salts are calculated, starting from interfacial tension measurements. At the same time, emulsions of the ester are treated by lipase and reactions rates are plotted against the bile salt concentrations present in the water phase of the emulsions. Inhibition by conjugated bile salts appear before the critical micellar concentration is approached. There is no defined relationship between this inhibition and the fraction of interfacial area covered by detergent molecules. In accordance with recent publication, the discussion suggests that the energy level of interfaces is important for lipase action and that, when interfacial tension becomes too small, lipase does not attach to interfaces and appears as inactive.

Vocal and social situation of laryngectomees.

A summary of progress of surgery and rehabilitation showed that the vocal and social situation of the laryngectomee in the world is very poor. To improve this situation, a world survey on the state of laryngectomees and a world Congress in Quebec City in 1974 were organized. Consequently, a special section of l'Hotel-Dieu de Quebec was organized to stimulate the vocal rehabilitation of the laryngectomees, and the global statistics now show that the percentage of success has increased from 54% to 83%.

Pulsatile tinnitus: a dehiscent jugular vein.

A case is reported of a female patient with subjective tinnitus synchronous with her pulse, in the left ear. A dehiscent high seated jugular vein was found in the middle ear. A surgical technique is presented using a septal cartilage homograft to cover the dehiscent vein.

[Hypercalcemia as the first manifestation of bone marrow T-cell lymphoma]. / Hyperkalcémie jako první manifestace drenového T lymfomu.

The authors describe the case of a 20-year-old patient where the first leading symptom was hypercalcaemia. A similar case was not published so far in the Czech literature. The disease took a fulminant course and proved fatal nine days after the first symptoms of the disease. The correct diagnosis was established only by necropsy. The adverse course of the disease could not be influenced by repeated haemodialysis nor by the administration of disodium pamidronate (Aredia) and calcitonin. The authors discuss differential diagnostic problems of hypercalcaemias and the pathogenesis of hypercalcaemia in malignant diseases of the haematopoietic system.

[Vertigo of traumatic origin]. / Les vertiges d'origine traumatique.

Patient referrals very frequently occur for ill-defined vertigo that appeared some months or even years after a trauma. These should not, however, be considered as cases of functional vertigo. The vertigo is very real, may last several years and constitute a genuine disorder. Such cases are amply described in the literature. Although we cannot perfectly explain the physiopathology, we should not conclude that these patients are not ill. In 50% of cases, we can evidence the signs with radiology and electro-nystagmography provided a properly established protocol is followed. The success of the treatment proposed can be evidenced by cervical electronystagmography.

[Cost of cataract surgery in a public hospital]. / Évaluation du coût de la chirurgie de la cataracte dans un établissement public de santé

With more than 500,000 operations per year, cataract surgery is currently the most frequently performed surgical operation in France. Several procedural techniques are described, but phacoemulsification after micro-incision is the most common. The cost and reimbursement by the French social security depend on whether the procedure is conducted on an inpatient or outpatient basis. The objectives of this prospective study were to evaluate the cost of cataract surgery in a public hospital setting and to correlate differences in surgical practice with financial impact. One hundred twenty-five operations were observed in the operating room and many data points were recorded for analysis. Topical anesthesia was administered in 87.2% of cases; the mean duration of the surgery was 42minutes. The mean direct cost was 366 € (drugs, sterilization of reused equipment, medical devices, etc). The extended cost of the surgery (infrastructure, hospitalization, food and laundry, etc.) was computed to be 1130 € for outpatients and 1335 € for inpatients assuming a one-night stay in the hospital. In view of the reimbursement provided by social security, this innovative study in a public hospital demonstrates that cataract surgery is a profitable activity, reinforcing our strategic plans.