Application of behavior data to predictive exploratory models of metritis self-cure and treatment failure in dairy cows.

The objective was to evaluate the performance of exploratory models containing routinely available on-farm data, behavior data, and the combination of both to predict metritis self-cure (SC) and treatment failure (TF). Holstein cows (n = 1,061) were fitted with a collar-mounted automated-health monitoring device (AHMD) from -21 ± 3 to 60 ± 3 d relative to calving to monitor rumination time and activity. Cows were examined for diagnosis of metritis at 4 ± 1, 7 ± 1, and 9 ± 1 d in milk (DIM). Cows diagnosed with metritis (n = 132), characterized by watery, fetid, reddish/brownish vaginal discharge (VD), were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatments: control (CON; n = 62), no treatment at the time of metritis diagnosis (d 0); or ceftiofur (CEF; n = 70), subcutaneous injection of 6.6 mg/kg of ceftiofur crystalline-free acid on d 0 and 3 relative to diagnosis. Cure was determined 12 d after diagnosis and was considered when VD became mucoid and not fetid. Cows in CON were used to determine SC, and cows in CEF were used to determine TF. Univariable analyses were performed using farm-collected data (parity, calving season, calving-related disorders, body condition score, rectal temperature, and DIM at metritis diagnosis) and behavior data (i.e., daily averages of rumination time, activity generated by AHMD, and derived variables) to assess their association with metritis SC or TF. Variables with P-values ≤0.20 were included in the multivariable logistic regression exploratory models. To predict SC, the area under the curve (AUC) for the exploratory model containing only data routinely available on-farm was 0.75. The final exploratory model to predict SC combining routinely available on-farm data and behavior data increased the AUC to 0.87, with sensitivity (Se) of 89% and specificity (Sp) of 77%. To predict TF, the AUC for the exploratory model containing only data routinely available on-farm was 0.90. The final exploratory model combining routinely available on-farm data and behavior data increased the AUC to 0.93, with Se of 93% and Sp of 87%. Cross-validation analysis revealed that generalizability of the exploratory models was poor, which indicates that the findings are applicable to the conditions of the present exploratory study. In summary, the addition of behavior data contributed to increasing the prediction of SC and TF. Developing and validating accurate prediction models for SC could lead to a reduction in antimicrobial use, whereas accurate prediction of cows that would have TF may allow for better management decisions.

Association of the severity of colic in horses with oxidative stress biomarkers, acute-phase proteins, and certain trace elements.

Sixty-one horses were enrolled in this study and divided into 3 different groups according to their severity of colic (heart rate, oral mucous membrane color, and abdominal distention): a strangulating colic (SC) group (n=21), non-strangulating colic (NC) group (n=20), and control group (n=20) consisting of randomly selected normal horses without signs of colic. The serum concentrations of haptoglobin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), zinc, iron, and copper were evaluated in all horses. The average concentration of TNFα in the SC group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). The TNFα concentration was higher in the NC group compared with the control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the average concentration of TNFα tended to be higher in the SC group compared with the NC group (P=0.052). The average concentration of haptoglobin in the SC group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). The average concentration of NO was higher in the SC group compared with the NC group. (P=0.016) The average concentration of MDA was higher in the SC group compared with the control group (P=0.042). Furthermore, the concentration of MDA was higher in the SC group compared with the NC group (P=0.048). TNFα in horses with signs of colic may be a reliable indicator of prognosis and the severity of clinical signs. The haptoglobin concentration may be a useful marker in cases where animals are referred to clinicians a few days after the onset of colic. The concentrations of MDA and NO should be interpreted with caution.

Effects of probiotic and yeast extract supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and growth in weaning Saanen kids.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of probiotic and yeast extract supplementation on the metabolic, immune, and oxidative status of Sannen goat kids during the weaning challenge. Forty goat kids were randomly assigned to four groups: a probiotic group (Pr) (basal diet + mixture of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus lechiniformis, Streptococcus Thermophilis, and Enterococcus faecium), a yeast cell wall extract group (YC) (basal diet + Saccharomyces cerevisiae), a probiotic and yeast cell wall extract group (Pr + YC) (basal diet + mixture of probiotic and yeast cell wall extract), and a control group (basal diet). Treatments were administered 21 days prior to weaning (80 ± 2 days of life) until 21 days post-weaning except for the control group. Blood samples were collected at four different time points, including 21 days before weaning, 2 days post-weaning (weaning time), 7 days post-weaning, and 21 days post-weaning. Average levels of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, total protein (TP), albumin, globulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), serum adenosine deaminase (ADA), nitric oxide (NO), ferritin, glucose, cortisol, triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), Β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), and body weight were measured. The average levels of cortisol tended to be higher in the Pr group in comparison to the control group (P = 0.07) and the Pr + YC group (P = 0.10). NEFA was found to be higher and tended to be higher in the control group compared to the Pr + YC group (P > 0.001) and Pr group (P = 0.10), respectively. Additionally, the BHBA concentration was higher in the control group compared to the Pr group (P > 0.001). No differences were observed in the concentration of other measured parameters among the treatments. The concentration of cortisol tended to be higher (P = 0.10) at the weaning time as compared to the third sampling time. Furthermore, the concentration of TAC was observed to be higher (P > 0.01) at the weaning time in comparison to the third and fourth sampling times. The concentration of NO was higher (P > 0.01) at the third sampling time when compared to the first sampling time. A reduction in NEFA and BHBA levels may suggest an improvement in the metabolic status of the supplemented animals during the weaning challenge. However, supplementation with probiotics and yeast cell wall extract did not appear to have an effect on the oxidative status of the animals. The increase in TAC and NO levels observed during the weaning time may indicate an increase in oxidative stress during this period.

Targeted reproductive management for lactating Holstein cows: Reducing the reliance on exogenous reproductive hormones.

Adoption of automated monitoring devices (AMD) affords the opportunity to tailor reproductive management according to the cow's needs. We hypothesized that a targeted reproductive management (TRM) would reduce the use of reproductive hormones while increasing the percentage of cows pregnant 305 d in milk (DIM). Holstein cows from 2 herds (n = 1,930) were fitted with an AMD at 251.0 ± 0.4 d of gestation. Early-postpartum estrus characteristics (EPEC; intense estrus = heat index ≥70; 0 = minimum, 100 = maximum) of multiparous cows were evaluated at 40 (herd 1) or 41 (herd 2) DIM and EPEC of primiparous cows were evaluated at 54 (herd 1) or 55 (herd 2) DIM. Control cows received the first artificial insemination at fixed time (TAI; primiparous, herd 1 = 82 and herd 2 = 83 DIM; multiparous, herd 1 = 68 and herd 2 = 69 DIM) following the Double-Ovsynch (DOV) protocol. Cows enrolled in the TRM treatment were managed as follows: (1) cows with at least one intense estrus were inseminated upon AMD detected estrus for 42 d and, if not inseminated, were enrolled in the DOV protocol; and (2) cows without an intense estrus were enrolled in the DOV protocol at the same time as cows in the control treatment. Control cows were re-inseminated based on visual or patch aided detection of estrus, whereas TRM cows were re-inseminated as described for control cows with the aid of the AMD. Cows received a GnRH injection 27 ± 3 d after insemination and, if diagnosed as nonpregnant, completed the 5-d Cosynch protocol and received TAI 35 ± 3 d after insemination. Among cows in the TRM treatment, 55.8 and 42.9% of primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively, received the first insemination in spontaneous estrus. The interaction between treatment and parity affected pregnancy 67 d after the first AI (primiparous: control = 37.6%, TRM = 27.4%; multiparous: control = 41.0%, TRM = 44.7%). The TRM treatment increased re-insemination in estrus (control = 48.3%, TRM = 70.5%). Pregnancy 67 d after re-inseminations tended to be affected by the interaction between treatment and EPEC (no intense estrus: control = 25.3%, TRM = 32.0%; intense estrus: control = 32.9%, TRM = 32.2%). The interaction between treatment and EPEC affected pregnancy by 305 DIM (no intense estrus: control = 80.8%, TRM = 88.2%; intense estrus: control = 87.1%, TRM = 86.1%). Treatment did not affect the number of reproductive hormone treatments among cows that had not had an intense estrus (control = 10.5 ± 0.3, TRM = 9.1 ± 0.2 treatments/cow), but cows in the TRM treatment that had an intense estrus received fewer reproductive hormone treatments than cows in the control treatment (2.0 ± 0.1 vs. 9.6 ± 0.2 treatments/cow). Selecting multiparous cows for first AI in estrus based on EPEC reduced the use of reproductive hormones without impairing the likelihood of pregnancy to first AI. The use of AMD for re-insemination expedited the establishment of pregnancy among cows that did not display an intense estrus early postpartum.

Individual animal variability in rumination, activity, and lying behavior during the periparturient period of dairy cattle.

The aim of the current study was to determine individual animal variability in rumination, activity, and lying behavior during the periparturient period within the context of dairy cattle nutrition, social, and physical environment. Holstein animals (nulliparous = 77, parous = 219) from one sand-bedded, freestall dairy in northwest Wisconsin were enrolled -17 d in milk (DIM, d 0 = calving), when they were fitted with an automated monitoring device (Hi-Tag, SCR Engineers Ltd.). At -11 DIM, animals were fitted with HOBO Pendant G Data Loggers. The HOBO Pendant G Data Loggers were fitted 6 d later because they were set up to collect data for 22 d (d -11 to 11), to avoid constant handling of the animals that could alter their behavior. Prepartum, nulliparous and parous animals were housed separately. Postpartum (1 to 17 ± 3 DIM), primiparous and multiparous cows were commingled. Samples of the total mixed ration were submitted for wet chemistry analysis and determination of physically effective NDF (peNDF). Temperature and humidity data were collected using RH Temp probes (HOBO Pro Series) installed in each of the pens, and the percentages of 30-min intervals within a day with temperature-humidity index ≥68 (PctTHI68) were calculated. Stocking density (cows per stall) during the pre- and postpartum periods were calculated daily. Prepartum data from nulliparous and parous animals were analyzed separately, and postpartum data from primiparous and multiparous animals were analyzed together. Prepartum, nulliparous and parous animals explained 83.9 and 64.5% of the variability in rumination, 70.7 and 60.9% of the variability in activity, and 38.1 and 63.6% of the variability in lying time, respectively. Postpartum, animal explained 49.7, 56.8, and 35.6% of the variability in rumination, activity, and lying time, respectively. Although stocking density, PctTHI68, peNDF, crude protein, and ether extract were associated with the variability in rumination, activity, and lying time, they explained ≤6.6% of the daily variability in these behaviors. We conclude that, within the conditions of the collaborating commercial herd, individual animal is the most important factor explaining daily variability in rumination, activity, and lying time.

Oral health-related quality of life in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma: A case-control study.

Background: The prevalence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has increased in recent years. With the development of various treatments, the mortality rate has decreased and more people are living with the consequences of the disease and its treatment, which can have a great impact on the quality of life. Some questionnaires measure the impact of the disease on daily activities and patient behavior. In this study, the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) was assessed through the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 questionnaire between the OSCC patient and control groups. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the OHIP-14 questionnaire was given to 51 OSCC patients who had completed the treatment at least 6 months before participating in this study and 51 healthy individuals, and we used the Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression in three models. P = 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of patients was 55.86 ± 15.04 years and the control group was 54.96 ± 14.08 years. Women made up 51% of patients. The mean OHIP score was 22.84 ± 11.42 in the patient group and 17.92 ± 9.23 in the control group, which indicates a significant (P = 0.005) difference between the two groups according to the independent sample t-test. Conclusion: The OHRQOL of patients has significantly decreased compared to the control group. Surgery had the lowest quality reduction, and combined surgical treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy had the highest reduction in the OHRQOL. It is recommended to have regular follow-up sessions and to have a proper diet during and after treatment.

Association of periodontitis with lipid profile: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this updated version of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the association of PD with lipid profile. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was done in electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until August 2021. Cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies investigating the relationship between PD and lipid profile were included. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by two investigators. A random-effect model was used to pool the effect size. Odds ratio (OR) was used as effect size for the association of PD with Hyperlipidemia, and SMD was used for the association of PD with the mean level of lipid profile. Results: Overall, 34 documents met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review, and 31 were included for the meta-analysis. Sixteen studies were cross-sectional, 16 case-control, and two cohorts. Results of the random effect model showed that PD increased the odds of dyslipidemia by 15% (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.26). The Association of PD with low HDL, high LDL, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesteremia was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The mean level of HDL in patients with PD was significantly lower than in subjects without PD (SMD: -0.69, 95% CI: -1.11, -0.26). Moreover, the mean level of LDL, TC, TG in patients with PD was significantly higher than in subjects without PD (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that periodontitis is associated with an increased odds of dyslipidemia. Therefore, treating periodontitis may improve dyslipidemia, particularly HDL and triglyceride levels.

Association of hyperglycaemia and periodontitis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this updated systematic review and meta-analysis was the association between hyperglycemia and periodontitis. METHODS: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus until March 2021. The key search words were based on "periodontitis" and "hyperglycemia." We included cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies, restricted to publications in English. The quality assessment of included studies and data extraction were done by two independent reviewers. Meta-analysis was performed for cross-sectional studies using the random-effects model. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 340 studies, and finally, 19 and 11 studies were included in systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. The total sample size of the eligible studies in the meta-analysis was 38,896 participants, of whom 33% were male with a mean age of 51.20 ± 14.0 years. According to a random-effect meta-analysis in cross-sectional studies, the pooled odds ratio (OR) for the association between hyperglycemia and periodontal indices was statistically significant (OR: 1.50, 95%CI: 1.11, 1.90). There was evidence of publication bias (coefficient: - 3.53, p-value = 0.014) which, after imputing missing studies, the pooled OR of the association between hyperglycemia and periodontitis change to 1.55 (95%CI: 1.20, 1.90). CONCLUSION: Results of the present study show that hyperglycemia was positively associated with periodontitis. However, more cohort and prospective longitudinal studies should be conducted to find the exact association. Overall, it seems the management of hyperglycemia could be considered as a preventive strategy for periodontitis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-021-00861-9.

Altered levels of salivary biochemical markers in periodontitis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between periodontitis and levels of biochemical markers as well as enzyme activity. METHODS: Unstimulated whole saliva samples were obtained from 30 patients with periodontitis. Biochemical factors including the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), uric acid (UA), and lactoferrin, as well as ß-hexosaminidase (ß-HEX) activity were measured. RESULTS: The levels of a salivary oxidant such as MDA and NO were statistically significantly higher in periodontitis patients than to that of healthy individuals. Similarly, the results indicated elevated levels of lactoferrin and ß-HEX activity in saliva of the periodontitis group, which was statistically significant when compared to the controls. While the levels of an enzymatic antioxidant such as SOD were higher in the periodontitis patients than in the control subjects, uric acid levels were statistically significantly lower in the saliva of the periodontitis patients than in the healthy controls. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Except for uric acid, as a non-enzymatic antioxidant, the levels of salivary oxidative stress generally increase in the saliva of periodontitis patients. Since altered levels of salivary biomarkers such as oxidative stress and antioxidant substances might contribute in systemic and local complications in the patients, these informative biomarkers can be used as a promising factor for the early diagnosis of the disease.