Effects of two wintering practices on behavioral and physiological indicators of welfare of non-lactating, pregnant dairy cattle in a pasture-based system.

In countries with pasture-based dairy systems and relatively cold winters, such as New Zealand, it is common to manage pregnant, nonlactating cows on forage crop paddocks rather than pasture due to slow pasture growth rates. Wintering dairy cattle on grazed crops can compromise welfare if wet and muddy underfoot conditions occur, which can reduce lying. This study investigated behavioral and physiological indicators of welfare of cows under 2 wintering practices: cows managed on and grazed kale crop (Brassica oleracea), and cows managed on pasture with baled hay. Following dry-off (d 0), 80 cows were randomly assigned to one of the 2 wintering practices (40 cows/practice) and monitored between d 4 and d 32 (phase 1). During this period, lying and stepping behavior was continuously recorded using leg-based accelerometers. Blood samples were obtained at d 0 and 32 for measurements of thyroxine (T4), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), white blood cells (WBC), and red blood cells (RBC). All data for phase 1 were presented descriptively due to the lack of treatment replication. Daily mean air temperature during this period was 5.2°C (range: 0.0 to 10.7°C), and rainfall was 1.1mm/d (range: 0 to 5.6mm/d). Between d 4 and 32, cows in both groups spent similar amounts of time lying (pasture with hay cows: 8.9h/24h ± 2.57, kale crop cows: 8.7h/24h ± 3.06, mean ± SEM). Both groups reduced their lying on wet and cold days and there was evidence of rebound lying once unfavorable weather conditions stopped. Cows on kale crop had numerically higher NEFA and lower WBC compared with cows managed on pasture, although most physiological values were within normal ranges. In a second phase of the study (d 34 and 35), cows were managed under controlled, replicated conditions in the 2 wintering practices using typical on-farm stocking rates (2 or 4 cows per group in the pasture with hay and kale crop treatments, respectively; n = 10 groups/treatment). During this period, cow behavior, skin and surface temperatures, hygiene scores, feed intakes and ground conditions were measured. Weather conditions during the 48-h exposure were mostly cold and dry (mean air temperature: 7.8°C, range: -2.2 to 20.5°C). Cows managed on pasture with hay spent more time lying down on the first day of exposure, however, this was likely due to less space being available to kale cows on this day. Cows managed on pasture with hay ruminated more than cows on kale crop on both days of observations (Day 1: 37.9% vs 30.9% of observations, Day 2: 36.8% vs 28.7% of observations for pasture with hay and kale crop groups, respectively) and were lying more often in postures indicative of greater thermal comfort. Cows managed on pasture with hay had higher skin and surface temperatures compared with cows on kale crop, whereas cows on kale crop had dirtier coats. Results suggest that opportunities for thermal comfort were greater for cows managed on pasture with hay bales, which may be due to increased rumination activities and more insulated lying areas.

Evaluating the immediate effects of hoof trimming on dairy goat hoof conformation and joint positions.

Hoof overgrowth in commercial housed dairy goats is a major health and welfare concern; thus, it is important to better understand hoof trimming, a priority practice which addresses hoof growth. We evaluated the immediate effects of trimming on external conformation, internal joint positions, and hoof wall overgrowth of front and hind hooves. Eighty female goats were enrolled. Pre and post hoof trimming data were collected at 13, 17, 21 and 25 months of age. Overall, before trimming, a high percentage of hooves were scored as overgrown (77.8%). Trimming decreased the percentage of overgrown hooves (17.6%: P < 0.001) and other moderate/severe conformational issues: dipped heels (49.3% vs. 26.7; P < 0.001), misshaped claws (37.0% vs. 17.6%; P < 0.001), splayed claws (73.7% vs. 56.7%; P < 0.001). More hind than front hooves had dipped heels pre-trimming and (91.3% vs. 7.3%; P < 0.001) and post-trimming (52.8% vs. 0.6%; P < 0.001); over half of the hind heels were not restored to an upright position. A greater proportion of toe length was removed from the hind hooves compared to the front (0.50 vs. 0.43, P < 0.001), with the greatest proportion of hoof wall overgrowth removed from the hind hoof medial claw at the 13-month assessment (P < 0.001). Following trimming, distal interphalangeal joint angle decreased more in hind compared to front hooves (11.0° vs. 6.9°; P < 0.001); distal interphalangeal joint height decreased (0.21 cm, P < 0.001), and proximal interphalangeal joint, and heel, angles increased (7.76° and 8.93°, respectively; P < 0.001). Trimming did not restore conformation of all hooves when trimmed every 4 months, suggesting a need to investigate reasons for underlying poor conformation, including trimming frequency.

Evaluating the long-term conformation and hoof growth effects of starting hoof trimming at 5 months of age in New Zealand dairy goats.

Hoof overgrowth is associated with poor conformation, an altered weight-bearing surface, and a reduction in the hoof's anatomic and functional integrity. As a result of housing systems that promote hoof overgrowth, hoof trimming is considered a priority in dairy goats. However, there are few data on the effects of the timing of first trimming on hoof conformation and growth rate. The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the long-term effects of 2 different hoof trimming start times and (2) to investigate the pattern of hoof growth across the first 2 yr of life. Eighty 5-mo-old female Saanen-cross commercially housed dairy goats were allocated randomly to 1 of 2 treatments: (1) early trimmed (trimming beginning at 5 mo old; hooves were trimmed every 4 mo thereafter) and (2) late trimmed (trimming beginning at 13 mo old; hooves were trimmed every 4 mo thereafter). Using a combination of photographs and radiographs, hoof conformation, joint positions, and hoof wall length were assessed before the 13- and 25-mo trimming events. Hoof growth was assessed every 12 wk using caliper measurements. Overall, starting hoof trimming earlier had minor and inconsistent effects. However, detrimental changes in conformation and joint positions occurred between trimming events, particularly in the hind hooves, regardless of trimming treatment. At both assessments, there was a high percentage of overgrown toes and dipped heels, with the hind hooves being more affected compared with the front (overgrown toes at 13 mo, 97.1 vs. 79.1 ± 5.2%; overgrown toes at 25 mo, 91.7 vs. 56.3 ± 6.7%; dipped heels at 13 mo, 98.5 vs. 19.3 ± 5.0%; dipped heels at 25 mo, 88.3 vs. 4.9 ± 4.8%). In addition, at both assessments, the distal interphalangeal joint angle was greater in the hind hooves compared with the front (13 mo, 79.5 vs. 65.2 ± 1.7°; 25 mo, 79.0 vs. 66.7 ± 0.9°), whereas heel angles were less in the hind hooves compared with the front (13 mo, 41.8 vs. 57.1 ± 1.5°; 25 mo, 44.9 vs. 55.9 ± 1.1°). On average, the front hooves grew 4.39 mm/mo and the hind hooves grew 4.20 mm/mo. Early trimming did not have consistent effects on hoof growth rate. Importantly, our results suggest that trimming every 4 mo is not sufficient to prevent hoof overgrowth, the development of poor conformation, and detrimental changes in joint positions, particularly in the hind hooves. Furthermore, the detrimental changes may have masked any long-term treatment effects. Therefore, trimming frequency and age of first trimming should be considered when devising hoof care protocols for dairy goats housed in environments that do not offer opportunities for natural hoof wear.

Simulating the low-temperature, metastable electrochromism of Photosystem I: Applications to Thermosynechococcus vulcanus and Chroococcidiopsis thermalis.

Low-temperature, metastable electrochromism has been used as a tool to assign pigments in Photosystem I (PS I) from Thermosynechococcus vulcanus and both the white light and far-red light (FRL) forms of Chroococcidiopsis thermalis. We find that a minimum of seven pigments is required to satisfactorily model the electrochromism of PS I. Using our model, we provide a short list of candidates for the chlorophyll f pigment in FRL C. thermalis that absorbs at 756 nm, whose identity, to date, has proven to be controversial. Specifically, we propose the linker pigments A40 and B39 and two antenna pigments A26 and B24 as defined by crystal structure 1JB0. The pros and cons of these assignments are discussed, and we propose further experiments to better understand the functioning of FRL C. thermalis.

Enrichment and Direct Plating for Detection of Campylobacter in Chicken Liver Rinse and Exudate.

ABSTRACT: Foodborne campylobacteriosis has been traced to undercooked chicken liver dishes; thus, it is important to use the best available culture methods when testing for the presence of Campylobacter. We compared two Campylobacter enrichment broths-Bolton formulation and Neogen formulation-in combination with three selective plating media-Campy-Cefex, Campy-Line and RF Campylobacter agars-for detection of Campylobacter from fresh retail chicken livers. In each of three experiments, nine replicate tubs of chicken livers were sampled by drawing exudate and a pooled rinse of five whole liver lobes. Results are reported as number positive and compared by Fisher's exact test. In experiment 1, no combination of enrichment and plating media significantly outperformed another for detection of Campylobacter (P > 0.05); all tubs were found to include Campylobacter in both exudate and liver rinse. In experiment 2, serial dilutions of samples were plated before and after enrichment. Exudate was found to be significantly more likely than rinse to support detection of Campylobacter by direct plating (P < 0.05); most exudate samples included at least 10 CFU Campylobacter per mL. Enrichment improved detection from rinse, but not exudate; all enrichment and plating combinations resulted ≥1,000 CFU/mL from most enriched samples. In experiment 3, samples were diluted before enrichment to determine effect of enrichment on ever lower numbers of Campylobacter. Enrichment did not improve recovery of Campylobacter from exudate or undiluted rinse (P > 0.05). However, when rinse samples were diluted to lower Campylobacter numbers, enrichment improved detection (P < 0.05). Overall, all media combinations tested were equivalent for detection of Campylobacter from chicken livers; sensitivity for detection seemed to be increased by using liver exudate compared with a pooled rinse of liver lobes.

Effects of provision of drinking water on the behavior and growth rate of group-housed calves with different milk allowances.

Despite the clear importance of drinking water, calves are not always provided water on farm for the first few weeks of life. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of water provision (access or no access) and milk allowance (high or low) on the behavior and growth rate of calves. Fifty mixed-breed calves were each assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: (1) water and high (10 L/d) milk allowance (n = 13), (2) no water and high milk allowance (n = 12), (3) water and low (5 L/d) milk allowance (n = 12), or (4) no water and low milk allowance (n = 13). Visits to the water trough, water intake, milk drinking behavior (visits and drinking speed), proportion of observations eating hay and calf starter, and lying behavior were recorded from when the calves were, on average, 5 d of age (standard deviation: 2 d) for 4 consecutive weeks. Calves were weighed weekly. Some calves began to visit the water trough from the start of the recording period, as early as 4 d of age, and water intake increased with age for all calves that had access to it. This increase was greater for calves provided a high milk allowance. Water intake increased with ambient temperature, which highlights the importance of providing drinking water in warm conditions. Overall, calves spent a greater proportion of observations eating hay and calf starter with age. The provision of drinking water was associated with a greater proportion of observations eating hay but less eating calf starter. The increase in the proportion of observations eating calf starter with age was greater for calves on a low milk allowance than of those provided a high milk allowance; this is likely due to calves on a low milk allowance searching for nutrients and energy. Calves on a high milk allowance grew faster and spent more time lying compared with calves with a low milk allowance, thus suggesting greater satiety of well-fed calves. Our results suggest that calves should have free access to drinking water from birth and that access to drinking water may aid in hay (fiber) intake and possibly rumen development.

Landscape characteristics influence ranging behavior of Asian elephants at the human-wildlands interface in Myanmar.

CONTEXT: Asian elephant numbers are declining across much of their range driven largely by serious threats from land use change resulting in habitat loss and fragmentation. Myanmar, holding critical range for the species, is undergoing major developments due to recent sociopolitical changes. To effectively manage and conserve the remaining populations of endangered elephants in the country, it is crucial to understand their ranging behavior. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to (1) estimate the sizes of dry, wet, and annual ranges of wild elephants in Myanmar; and quantify the relationship between dry season (the period when human-elephant interactions are the most likely to occur) range size and configurations of agriculture and natural vegetation within the range, and (2) evaluate how percentage of agriculture within dry core range (50% AKDE range) of elephants relates to their daily distance traveled. METHODS: We used autocorrelated kernel density estimator (AKDE) based on a continuous-time movement modeling (ctmm) framework to estimate dry season (26 ranges from 22 different individuals), wet season (12 ranges from 10 different individuals), and annual range sizes (8 individuals), and reported the 95%, 50% AKDE, and 95% Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) range sizes. We assessed how landscape characteristics influenced range size based on a broad array of 48 landscape metrics characterizing aspects of vegetation, water, and human features and their juxtaposition in the study areas. To identify the most relevant landscape metrics and simplify our candidate set of informative metrics, we relied on exploratory factor analysis and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Based on this analysis we adopted a final set of metrics into our regression analysis. In a multiple regression framework, we developed candidate models to explain the variation in AKDE dry season range sizes based on the previously identified, salient metrics of landscape composition. RESULTS: Elephant dry season ranges were highly variable averaging 792.0 km2 and 184.2 km2 for the 95% and 50% AKDE home ranges, respectively. We found both the shape and spatial configuration of agriculture and natural vegetation patches within an individual elephant's range play a significant role in determining the size of its range. We also found that elephants are moving more (larger energy expenditure) in ranges with higher percentages of agricultural area. CONCLUSION: Our results provide baseline information on elephant spatial requirements and the factors affecting them in Myanmar. This information is important for advancing future land use planning that takes into account space-use requirements for elephants. Failing to do so may further endanger already declining elephant populations in Myanmar and across the species' range.

Recovery of Campylobacter from feed using different enrichment media.

Studies were conducted to investigate the recovery of Campylobacter from feed. The impact of feed moisture, water activity, pH, number of background microflora and the use of different antibiotic supplements in Campylobacter enrichment broth (CEB) on Campylobacter recovery were evaluated in five studies. Broiler starter feed was inoculated with 104 -105 cfu of Campylobacter/g and stored at 24 °C and 43% RH. Enrichment culture was conducted on the day of inoculation or 24 h post inoculation and every 48 h of storage thereafter for 14 d. Feed moisture, water activity, pH and level of background microflora were not correlated with Campylobacter recovery. The incubation of feed in CEB with no antibiotic supplement resulted in the number of background microflora increasing to 109 cfu/g and the pH of the media decreasing to pH 4-5 impacting recovery. Addition of certain antimicrobial supplements to CEB reduced background microflora growth and maintained a near neutral pH. Campylobacter was recovered up to 10 days post inoculation when using CEB containing antibiotic supplements compared to 1 day in CEB. These findings suggest that Campylobacter can be recovered from feed and the type of antimicrobial supplement utilized influences recovery by controlling extraneous microbial growth which occurs during enrichment.

Volunteer-led physical activity interventions to improve health outcomes for community-dwelling older people: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is important for older people to maintain functional independence and healthy ageing. There is strong evidence to support the benefits of physical activity interventions on the health outcomes of older adults. Nonetheless, innovative approaches are needed to ensure that these interventions are practical and sustainable. AIM: This systematic review explores the effectiveness of volunteer-led PA interventions in improving health outcomes for community-dwelling older people. METHODS: Five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PEDro, Cochrane library) were systematically searched for studies using trained volunteers to deliver PA interventions for community-dwelling older people aged ≥ 65 years. Meta-analysis was not conducted due to included study heterogeneity. RESULTS: Twelve papers describing eight studies (five papers reported different outcomes from the same study) were included in the review. All eight studies included strength and balance exercises and frequency of PA ranged from weekly to three times a week. Volunteer-led exercises led to improvements in functional status measured using the short physical performance battery, timed up and go test, Barthel Index, single leg stand, step touch test, chair stand test, and functional reach. Frailty status identified by grip strength measurement or the use of long-term care insurance improved with volunteer-led exercises. Interventions led to improvement in fear of falls and maintained or improved the quality of life. The impact on PA levels were mixed. CONCLUSION: Limited evidence suggests that volunteer-led PA interventions that include resistance exercise training, can improve outcomes of community-dwelling older adults including functional status, frailty status, and reduction in fear of falls. More high-quality RCTs are needed to investigate the effects of volunteer-led PA interventions among older people.

Poor Appetite Is Associated with Six Month Mortality in Hospitalised Older Men and Women.

OBJECTIVES: Appetite loss is common in hospitalised older individuals but not routinely assessed. Poor appetite in hospital has previously been identified as predictive of greater mortality in the six months following discharge in a single study of female patients. The present study aimed to assess this association in a larger sample including both hospitalised men and women. DESIGN: Longitudinal observational study with six month follow up. SETTING: Acute hospital wards in a single large hospital in England. PARTICIPANTS: Older inpatients aged over 70 years. MEASUREMENTS: Appetite was assessed using the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) during hospital stay. Deaths during six month follow-up period were recorded. Association between SNAQ score during hospital admission and death 6 months post-discharge was assessed using binary logistic regression in unadjusted and adjusted analysis. RESULTS: 296 participants (43% female, mean age 83 years (SD 6.9)) were included in this study. Prevalence of poor appetite (SNAQ score <14) was 41%. In unadjusted analysis a SNAQ score of <14 was associated with a 2.47 increase in odds of mortality at six months (OR 2.47 (95% CI 1.27,4.82)). This association remained after adjusting for number of comorbidities (Charlson index), length of stay and gender (OR 2.62 (95% CI 1.30, 5.27)). In unadjusted continuous analysis, every one point decrease in SNAQ score led to a 1.20 fold increase in odds of mortality at six months (OR 1.20 (95% CI 1.06-1.36)). This association remained in adjusted analysis (OR 1.22 (95% CI 1.07-1.39)). CONCLUSION: Poor appetite is common in hospitalised older people. We have confirmed the association, previously reported in older women, between poor appetite during hospital stay and greater mortality at six months post-discharge but in a larger study including older men and women. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of poor appetite, which lead to increased mortality.

Effects of a dry hydrogen peroxide disinfection system used in an egg cooler on hatchability and chick quality.

A sanitation method that could continually clean and disinfect the air and surfaces in a hatchery could provide a second layer of microbial reduction on top of routine cleaning and disinfection. A gaseous dry hydrogen peroxide (DHP) system has been used in other facilities for this purpose and could have potential for use in chicken hatcheries. Because the DHP is a true gas and can permeate through the entire hatchery space, contact with eggs during storage and incubation could potentially interfere with normal hatching processes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the DHP system on hatching parameters and chick quality. A total of 3,960 hatching eggs were collected from an ∼40-week-old Ross 308 broiler breeder flock and distributed in 2 treatments: treated and nontreated. For the treated group, the egg cooler was cleaned, and 1 DHP generator was placed inside. Two other DHP generators were placed in the common area outside as well. Both areas were treated for 7 D before placement of eggs, and then eggs were collected and placed inside the cooler over a 4-day period. Eggs were then stored for an additional 3 D after the last collection. Dry hydrogen peroxide levels were recorded each day during storage. For the nontreated group, all DHP machines were removed from the cooler and external room, and the egg cooler was cleaned. Eggs were collected in the same way for the control group as the treated group. After storage, eggs were placed into a single stage Natureform incubator. The eggs exposed to DHP showed higher (P < 0.05) hatchability of fertile eggs and lower (P < 0.05) early embryonic dead than eggs from the nontreated group. No other parameters evaluated were different between groups. Based on this work, the DHP treatment of fertile eggs had no detrimental effect on any performance parameter, with potential positive effects seen on hatch of fertile eggs and early embryonic dead embryos.

Antimicrobial interventions to reduce Salmonella and Campylobacter populations and improve shelf life of quail carcasses.

Quail (Coturnix japonica) is processed and marketed as fresh meat, with limited shelf life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of antimicrobial interventions during slaughter on reducing Salmonella and Campylobacter contamination and to determine the microbiological shelf life of quail during refrigerated (4°C) storage. Three antimicrobials, peracetic acid (400 ppm; PAA), Citrilow (pH 1.2), and Cecure (cetylpyridinium chloride [CPC], 450 ppm), along with a water and no-treatment control were evaluated. Quail carcasses (n = 75) were inoculated with a cocktail of nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium and gentamicin-resistant Campylobacter coli. After 30 min of attachment time, quail carcasses were submerged in each antimicrobial solution for 20 s with air agitation. Noninoculated quail carcasses (n = 25) were similarly treated, packaged, and stored under refrigeration (4°C). Aerobic plate counts (APC), psychrotroph counts (PC), Enterobacteriaceae counts (ENT), total coliform counts (TCC), and Escherichia coli counts on quail carcasses were determined on 1, 4, 7, and 10 d. Salmonella and Campylobacter populations were determined by plating on Petrifilm APC supplemented with 200-ppm nalidixic acid and Campy Cefex agar supplemented with 200-ppm gentamycin, respectively. No significant reductions in (P > 0.01 log cfu/mL) in APC, PC, ENT, TCC, and E. coli counts were observed on carcasses submerged in water. However, treatments with PAA, Citrilow, and CPC significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05) Salmonella and Campylobacter coli contamination. Citrilow showed greater (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in Salmonella and Campylobacter population (1.90 and 3.82 log cfu/mL reduction, respectively) to PAA and CPC. Greater (P ≤ 0.05) reductions in APC, PC, ENT, TCC, and E. coli counts (2.22, 1.26, 1.47, 1.52, and 1.59 log cfu/mL, respectively) were obtained with the application of CPC. Application of antimicrobial interventions resulted in a reduction in Campylobacter and Salmonella, APC, PC, and ENT populations after treatments (day 0) and throughout the storage period (day 10). Use of antimicrobial interventions after slaughter can improve the microbiological safety and shelf life of quail.

Can probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics improve functional outcomes for older people: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Research evaluating the effect of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics (PPS) on laboratory markers of health (such as immunomodulatory and microbiota changes) is growing but it is unclear whether these markers translate to improved functional outcomes in the older population. This systematic review evaluates the effect of PPS on functional outcomes in older people. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the effect of PPS in older adults on functional outcomes (physical strength, frailty, mood and cognition, mortality and receipt of care). Four electronic databases were searched for studies published since year 2000. RESULTS: Eighteen studies (including 15 RCTs) were identified. One of five studies evaluating physical function reported benefit (improved grip strength). Two analyses of one prebiotic RCT assessed frailty by different methods with mixed results. Four studies evaluated mood with no benefit reported. Six studies evaluated cognition: four reported cognitive improvement in participants with pre-existing cognitive impairment receiving probiotics. Seven studies reported mortality as a secondary outcome with a trend to reduction in only one. Five studies reported length of hospital stay but only two peri-operative studies reported shorter stays. CONCLUSION: There is limited evidence that probiotics may improve cognition in older people with pre-existing cognitive impairment but no clear evidence of benefit of PPS on physical function, frailty, mood, length of hospitalisation and mortality. Larger studies with more homogenous interventions, accounting for confounding factors, such as diet, co-morbidities and medications, are required. There is currently inadequate evidence to recommend PPS use to older people in general. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO registration number is CRD42020173417. Date of PROSPERO registration: 01/05/20.

Efficacy of peroxy acetic acid in reducing Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. populations on chicken breast fillets.

Poultry processors use antimicrobials to reduce the risk of pathogens on poultry and poultry products. The efficacy of selective and nonselective plating media to enumerate injured Salmonella (selective media-brilliant green sulfa agar and Petrifilm Enterobacteriaceae Plate Count; nonselective media-tryptic soy agar and Petrifilm Aerobic Plate Count) and Campylobacter (selective medium-Campy cefex agar and nonselective medium-Brucella agar) populations and the efficacy of peroxy acetic acid (PAA) to reduce Salmonella and Campylobacter populations on chicken breast fillets were evaluated. All plating media for Salmonella and Campylobacter contained nalidixic acid (200 ppm) or gentamycin (200 ppm), respectively. Breast fillets were sprayed or immersed in PAA (500 ppm) for 10 min for evaluation of the plating media. Breast fillets inoculated with a mixed Salmonella and Campylobacter cocktail were sprayed (5 or 10 s) or immersed (4-30 s) in PAA (100, 400, 500, or 1,000 ppm) for evaluation of PAA efficacy. Salmonella populations were higher (P ≤ 0.05) when plated on nonselective media compared with the selective media for the non-PAA treated fillets, although the differences in populations were low (<0.32 log CFU/mL). For both the microorganisms, populations on PAA treated (immersion or spray) fillets were similar when enumerated on nonselective or selective media within each treatment (PAA immersion or spray). Both immersion and spray applications reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the Salmonella and Campylobacter populations compared with the control. Increasing the PAA concentration to 250, 500, and 1,000 ppm resulted in greater reductions (P ≤ 0.05) in Salmonella and Campylobacter populations. Immersion of the inoculated breast fillets in 1,000 ppm PAA solution for 30 s resulted in Salmonella and Campylobacter population reductions of 1.92 and 1.87 log CFU/mL, respectively. Method of antimicrobial application (immersion and spray) did not affect the reductions in Salmonella and Campylobacter populations. Either immersion or spray application can be used to improve microbial safety of chicken breast fillets in a poultry processing plant.

Research Note: Evaluation of several inoculation procedures for colonization of day-old broiler chicks with Salmonella Heidelberg.

Before starting a study with many birds, it helps to know the method of chick inoculation. The objective was to compare 3 methods of Salmonella challenge (oral gavage [OR], intracloacal inoculation [IC], and seeder bird [SB]). Day-old broiler chicks (n = 100) were inoculated with 106 colony forming units (CFU) per chick of a marker strain of Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) with each route of inoculation. Chicks (n = 25) inoculated by each route were placed in floor pens on fresh pine shavings litter. For the seeder batch, 5 colonized chicks, each orally gavaged with 106 CFUs, were placed with 20 pen mates. Two weeks after inoculation, 10 birds from each pen and the 5 inoculated seeder birds were euthanized, the ceca were aseptically removed and macerated with a rubber mallet and weighed, and 3 times (w/v) buffered peptone was added and stomached for 60 s. Serial dilutions were made and plated onto Brilliant Green Sulfa plates containing 200 ppm nalidixic acid. Plates were incubated along with the stomached ceca for 24 h at 37°C. If no colonies appeared on the plates, an additional plate was streaked from the preenriched bag and incubated for 24 h at 37°C. In addition to all seeder birds being positive, the number of SH-positive birds out of 20 sampled in each group was 13, 17, and 7 for OR, IC, and SB, respectively. The level of SH per g of ceca and cecal contents was log (SE) 3.0 (0.7), 2.0 (0.4), and 2.6 (0.4) for OR, IC, and SB, respectively. After enrichment, the number of colonized birds out of 20 was 18, 20, and 10 for OR, IC, and SB, respectively. In conclusion, this study suggests that IC is the method to use to ensure most of the challenged birds are colonized. However, if you prefer to have a smaller percentage of the birds colonized with higher levels, then OR might be better.

A multicentre assessment of prostate MRI quality and compliance with UK and international standards.

AIM: To assess prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image quality and compliance with technical standards between centres in the South West region of the UK. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen imaging sites in the region submitted seven consecutive anonymised MRI studies. These were assessed by two experienced radiologists in consensus. Overall, subjective image quality for T2-weighted imaging (T2W), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) was scored on a five-point Likert scale. Five additional quality parameters were also assessed visually, including image noise, motion, artefact, and distortion. The degree of compliance by each site with 21 published technical standards was also assessed. RESULTS: Ninety-four MRI examinations were reviewed from across all sites (mean 6.3 scans per site, range 5-7). Mean compliance with technical standards was 63% (range 38-86%). Forty-seven percent of sites did not perform DCE. One site used a 3 T scanner. The percentage of patients with overall quality scores of ≥3 (diagnostically acceptable) were 68% for T2W, 81% for DWI, and 60% for both T2W and DWI. Ninety-three percent of the 45 patients who underwent DCE had diagnostically acceptable studies. By scanner age, the percentage of patients with diagnostically acceptable T2W scores was 53% for scanners ≥7 years and 80% when <7 years (p=0.006). Comparing individual sites, the mean overall quality scores were 2.9 (range 2.2-4.2) for T2W, 3.2 (1.8-4.7) for DWI, and 3.4 (2.5-4.7) for DCE. CONCLUSION: There is wide variation in compliance with recognised technical standards and image quality across sites. If MRI is to replace biopsy in selected low-risk patients, improvements in image quality may be required.

Campylobacter subtypes detected in broiler ceca and livers collected at slaughter1.

Foodborne campylobacteriosis has been linked to undercooked chicken liver. We have detected Campylobacter in chicken livers available at retail. The objective of the current project was to determine the prevalence and subtype of Campylobacter associated with livers and ceca of the same broiler carcasses at commercial slaughter. Within 2 min of commercial evisceration, we collected liver and ceca of one broiler carcass from each of 70 discreet flocks over a 12-mo period. Liver surface, liver internal tissue, and cecal contents were cultured for Campylobacter using standard methods. One example of the predominant colony type was selected from each positive sample for whole genome sequencing and multilocus sequence typing. We detected Campylobacter in at least one sample from 58 of 70 (83%) carcasses/flocks; 41 ceca, 57 liver surface samples, and 19 liver internal tissue samples were positive. For 11 of 18 carcasses from which all samples were positive, the predominant colony types were indistinguishable. However, some carcasses did have multiple subtypes of Campylobacter. Of carcasses with Campylobacter on the surface of the liver and within the ceca, it was more likely that the subtypes be the same than different (P < 0.01). However, Campylobacter subtypes detected in internal liver tissue were not more likely to be the same as those detected in ceca (P > 0.05). We detected different subtypes of Campylobacter from internal liver tissue and liver surface of seven broiler carcasses/flocks. Livers from a large percentage of broiler carcasses/flocks can have one or more subtypes of Campylobacter.

Physiological and behavioral responses as indicators for early disease detection in dairy calves.

This study investigated physiological and behavioral responses associated with the onset of neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) in calves experimentally infected with rotavirus and assessed the suitability of these responses as early disease indicators. The suitability of infrared thermography (IRT) as a noninvasive, automated method for early disease detection was also assessed. Forty-three calves either (1) were experimentally infected with rotavirus (n = 20) or (2) acted as uninfected controls (n = 23). Health checks were conducted on a daily basis to identify when calves presented overt clinical signs of disease. In addition, fecal samples were collected to verify NCD as the cause of illness. Feeding behavior was recorded continuously as calves fed from an automated calf feeder, and IRT temperatures were recorded once per day across 5 anatomical locations using a hand-held IRT camera. Lying behavior was recorded continuously using accelerometers. Drinking behavior at the water trough was filmed continuously to determine the number and duration of visits. Respiration rate was recorded once per day by observing flank movements. The effectiveness of inoculating calves with rotavirus was limited because not all calves in the infected group contracted the virus; further, an unexpected outbreak of Salmonella during the trial led to all calves developing NCD, including those in the healthy control group. Therefore, treatment was ignored and instead each calf was analyzed as its own control, with data analyzed with respect to when each calf displayed clinical signs of disease regardless of the causative pathogen. Milk consumption decreased before clinical signs of disease appeared. The IRT temperatures were also found to change before clinical signs of disease appeared, with a decrease in shoulder temperature and an increase in side temperature. There were no changes in respiration rate or lying time before clinical signs of disease appeared. However, the number of lying bouts decreased and lying bout duration increased before and following clinical signs of disease. There was no change in the number of visits to the water trough, but visit duration increased before clinical signs of disease appeared. Results indicate that milk consumption, IRT temperatures of the side and shoulder, number and duration of lying bouts, and duration of time spent at the water trough show potential as suitable early indicators of disease.

Effect of probiotics on fecal excretion, colonization in internal organs and immune gene expression in the ileum of laying hens challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis.

A study was conducted to evaluate the supplementation of probiotics on Salmonella colonization in the ceca and various internal organs as well as immune response in laying hens challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE). Thirty-two 46-wk-old White Leghorns (W-36) were housed individually in wired laying cages under 16L:8D lighting schedule. Hens were challenged individually with nalidixic acid resistant Salmonella Enteritidis (SENAR) after which time they were grouped into four treatments: T1 = SENAR unchallenged control, T2 = SENAR challenged control, T3 = SENAR challenged + 0.05% probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum), and T4 = SENAR challenged + 0.1% probiotics. All hens, including T1, were euthanized and sampled for the liver with gall bladder (L/GB), ileum, ovary, spleen, and ceca on 7-days post-infection (dpi). Fecal screening was performed on individual hens at both 3 and 6 dpi. No difference was detected between the treatments in cecal SENAR enumeration, and the mean log 10 cfu/gm of SENAR in the ceca was 3.7 for all three treatments. The prevalence of SENAR was lowest for ovary in all treatments and was highest in the spleen. However, there were no significant differences among the treatments in the internal organs. There was no significant difference in the fecal shedding among the treatments on either 3 or 6 dpi, with incidence of positive feces higher at 3 dpi compared to 6 dpi (100 vs. 70% to 80%). SENAR challenge resulted in significant upregulation (P < 0.05) of interleukin (IL)-1ß, 6, 10, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 mRNA expression. Highest level of probiotics resulted in a significant decrease in IFN-γ and elevation of IL-6 and IL-10 gene expression in the ileum. However, IL-1B and TLR-4 gene expression were not different from the SENAR challenge control. This study reveals that there was important regulation of immune genes by probiotics supplementation.