Identification and characterization of dairy cows with different backfat thickness antepartum in relation to postpartum loss of backfat thickness: A cluster analytic approach.

The objectives of this study were (1) to characterize the interindividual variation in the relationship between antepartum (ap) backfat thickness (BFT) and subsequent BFT loss during early lactation in a large dairy herd using cluster analysis; (2) to compare the serum concentrations of metabolites (nonesterified fatty acids, ß-hydroxybutyrate), metabolic hormones (leptin and adiponectin), and an inflammatory marker (haptoglobin) among the respective clusters; and (3) to compare lactation performance and uterine health status in the different clusters. An additional objective was (4) to investigate differences in these serum variables and in milk yield of overconditioned (OC) cows that differed in the extent of BFT loss. Using data from a large study of 1,709 multiparous Holstein cows, we first selected those animals from which serum samples and BFT results (mm) were available at d 25 (±10) ap and d 31 (±3 d) postpartum (pp). The remaining 713 cows (parity of 2 to 7) were then subjected to cluster analysis: different approaches based on the BFT of the cows were performed. K-means (unsupervised machine learning algorithm) clustering based on BFT-ap alone identified 5 clusters: lean (5-8 mm BFT, n = 50), normal (9-12 mm, n = 206), slightly fat (SF; 13-16 mm, n = 203), just fat (JF; 16-22 mm, n = 193), and very fat (VF; 23-43 mm, n = 61). Clustering by difference between BFT-ap and BFT-pp (ΔBFT) also revealed 5 clusters: extreme loss (17-23 mm ΔBFT, n = 16), moderate loss (9-15 mm, n = 119), little loss (4-8 mm, n = 326), no loss (0-3 mm, n = 203), and gain (-8 to -1 mm, n = 51). Based on the blood variables measured, our results confirm that cows with greater BFT losses had higher lipid mobilization and ketogenesis than cows with less BFT loss. The serum variables of cows that gained BFT did not differ from normal cows. Milk yield was affected by the BFT-ap cluster, but not by the ΔBFT cluster. Cows categorized as VF had lesser milk yield than other clusters. We further compared the OC cows that had little or no BFT loss (i.e., 2% of VF, 12% of JF, and 31% of SF, OC-no loss, n = 85) with the OC cows that lost BFT (OC-loss, n = 135). Both NEFA and BHB pp concentrations and milk yield were greater in OC-loss cows compared with the OC-no loss cows. The serum concentration of leptin ap was greater in OC-loss than in the OC-no loss cows. Overall, OC cows lost more BFT than normal or lean cows. However, those OC cows with a smaller loss of BFT produced less milk than OC cows with greater losses.

Selective bond breaking of halothane induced by electron transfer in potassium collisions.

We present novel experimental results of negative ion formation of halothane (C2HBrClF3) upon electron transfer from hyperthermal neutral potassium atoms (K°) in the collision energy range of 8-1000 eV. The experiments were performed in a crossed molecular beam setup allowing a comprehensive analysis of the time-of-flight (TOF) mass negative ions fragmentation pattern and a detailed knowledge of the collision dynamics in the energy range investigated. Such TOF mass spectra data show that the only negative ions formed are Br-, Cl- and F-, with a strong energy dependence in the low-energy collision region, with the bromine anion being the most abundant and sole fragment at the lowest collision energy probed. In addition, potassium cation (K+) energy loss spectra in the forward scattering direction were obtained in a hemispherical energy analyser at different K° impact energies. In order to support our experimental findings, ab initio quantum chemical calculations have been performed to help interpret the role of the electronic structure of halothane. Potential energy curves were obtained along the C-X (X = Br, Cl) coordinate to lend support to the dissociation processes yielding anion formation.

Comparison of behavioral patterns of dairy cows with natural estrus and induced ovulation detected by an ear-tag based accelerometer.

Dairy farms face many challenges and changes. With increasing herd sizes and fewer farmers or employees per cow, new strategies to maintain or improve reproductive management are required. One of the major challenges is to detect cows in estrus and to estimate the perfect time for artificial insemination (AI). Several estrus and ovulation synchronization programs with timed AI as well as estrus detection aids, e.g., tail-paint, pedometer, accelerometer, and others are available. A combination of ovulation synchronization programs and technical solutions, however, has rarely been tested. This study was designed to gain insights into behavioral patterns of cows subjected to an Ovsynch program and to test if behavioral data could be used to optimize the timing of insemination within an Ovsynch program. In this study, we used an ear-tag based 3D-accelerometer system (SMARTBOW, Smartbow GmbH, Weibern, Austria) to generate data of behavioral patterns, i.e., rumination and activity. In Part 1 of this study, behavioral patterns during the peri-estrus period were compared between cows with physiological estrus and cows subjected to an Ovsynch protocol. On the day before estrus and on the day of estrus/AI, cows with natural estrus showed a clear drop in rumination and "inactivity" and an increase in "high activity", based on an algorithm of the accelerometer system, whereas, cows in the Ovsynch protocol showed only minor changes in behavioral patterns. In Part 2, we analyzed behavioral patterns between synchronized cows that became pregnant after AI and synchronized cows that remained open. As a result, no differences were detected between these two Ovsynch groups before AI. Thus, in this study we found no evidence that behavioral patterns can be used to improve conception rates within an Ovsynch protocol.

Pulsoximetric monitoring of fetal arterial oxygen saturation and fetal pulse at stage II of labor to predict acidosis in newborn Holstein Friesian calves.

During stage II of parturition, the bovine fetus is at risk of oxygen deficiency caused by insufficient gas exchange between the dam and the fetus. The early detection of this critical condition, followed by assistance at calving, can help to improve the vitality of the newborn calf, or even prevent it from being born dead. By using pulse oximetry, the arterial oxygen saturation, as well as the pulse rate, can be continuously and non-invasively measured. The aim of our study was to identify critical thresholds for the parameters 'arterial oxygen saturation (FSpO2)' and 'pulse rate (PR)' that indicate a severe postnatal risk for calves to suffer from acidosis. FSpO2 and PR from 40 bovine fetuses were recorded during the last 25 min of calving with a commercially available pulse oximeter (Radius-7, Masimo Corporation, Irvine, USA). The calves were tested immediately after birth for acidosis by analyzing their blood with a portable blood gas analyzer (VetScan iStat1, Abaxis Inc., Union City, USA). Retrospectively, the pulsoximetric data were scanned for predefined patterns. The validity of these patterns to predict acidosis in newborn calves was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses. In general, PR was a stronger predictive parameter for acidosis than FSpO2, with the greatest area under the curve (AUC) for the PR criteria 'Pulse rate > 120 beats per minute (bpm) for at least 2 min', with an AUC of 0.764, in contrast to an AUC of 0.613 for the best FSpO2 criteria 'FSpO2 < 40% for at least 50% of the measurement'. Further studies should investigate whether vitality after calving can be improved and fetal death rate can be reduced when obstetric assistance is performed as soon as one of these criteria apply to the bovine fetus. For more practical implementation in the field, improvement of the device's hardware would be necessary.

Evaluation of an ear-attached accelerometer for detecting estrus events in indoor housed dairy cows.

Precision dairy farming technologies have tremendous potential to improve and support farmers in herd management decisions, particularly in reproductive management. Nowadays, estrus detection in cows is challenging and several supporting tools are available. In this study, a 3D-accelerometer integrated into an ear-tag (SMARTBOW, Smartbow GmbH, Weibern, Austria) was used for the detection of cows in estrus. Movement pattern based on accelerometer data were analyzed and processed by algorithms and machine learning, resulting in estrus alerts. For the evaluation of the system, reproductive performance data of 579 estrus events of multiparous cows were used to retrospectively evaluate the accuracy of estrus alerts generated by the accelerometer-based system and the overall performance of the system. Estrus events were classified as 'gold standard' events, if an estrus followed by AI resulted in pregnancy, and as 'recorded estrus' events, if two estrus events with an interval of 18-25 d were in the herd records, independent of whether estrus was followed by AI or pregnancy. In total, 316 'gold standard' events were matched with estrus alerts generated by the accelerometer-based system, resulting in a sensitivity of 97%. Furthermore, 263 'recorded estrus' events were compared with correct or incorrect estrus alerts by the system. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, and error rate for 'recorded estrus' events were 97%, 98%, 96%, 94%, 96%, and 2%, respectively. In summary, the SMARTBOW system is suitable for an automated detection of estrus events of multiparous cows in indoor housed dairy cows.

Short communication: Repeatability of ß-hydroxybutyrate measurements in capillary blood obtained from the external vulvar skin.

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of measurements of ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations in capillary blood obtained from minimal-invasive puncturing of different sites at the external vulva skin of dairy cows. A total of 240 multiparous cows sampled once within 21 d in milk were enrolled in the study. Capillary blood samples were obtained from the right and left labium of the external vulva skin and additionally from a site close to the first puncture. Samples were analyzed by using an electronic hand-held device [FreeStyle Precison Neo (FSP-Neo), Abbott GmbH & Co., Wiesbaden, Germany)]. Additionally, samples from a coccygeal vessel were analyzed as reference in a laboratory. Mean deviations (± standard deviation) between the 3 capillary sampling sites ranged from 0.01 ± 0.14 (left vs. right labium) to 0.02 ± 0.13 mmol/L (left or right labium vs. additional site). The BHB concentrations in capillary blood compared with the reference showed a mean deviation of 0.14 ± 0.18 mmol/L. The Spearman correlation coefficient between BHB concentrations in capillary blood and coccygeal blood was 85.4%. Mixed model analyses showed no significant effect of sampling site or squeezing the skin during sampling procedures on the differences toward the reference. Based on laboratory BHB concentrations of ≥1.2 and ≥1.4 mmol/L, respectively, the prevalence of hyperketonemia was 10.4 (n = 25) and 5.0% (n = 12). Thresholds to detect hyperketonemia with the FSP-Neo were optimized by receiver operating characteristic analyses. Based on a laboratory BHB concentration of ≥1.2 mmol/L thresholds were determined as 1.1 (left labium, 2nd puncture) and 1.0 mmol/L (right labium), with sensitivities between 94 and 99% and specificities between 89 and 97%. Based on a serum BHB concentration of 1.4 mmol/L, receiver operating characteristic analyses resulted in optimized cutoffs of 1.4 mmol/L for all sampling sites at the vulva, with sensitivities of 100% and specificities between 96 and 99%. In conclusion, vulvar capillary blood is suitable for accurate measuring of BHB concentrations by using the FSP-Neo. After adjusting the thresholds, the FSP-Neo provides very good test characteristics independent of the capillary sampling site or squeezing the skin and allows a practical and reliable screening tool for dairy cows.

Measurement of ß-hydroxybutyrate in capillary blood obtained from an ear to detect hyperketonemia in dairy cows by using an electronic handheld device.

The primary objective of the present study was to test whether capillary blood obtained by puncturing the skin of an ear with a minimal invasive lancet technique is able to detect hyperketonemia (HYK) in dairy cows. Furthermore, test characteristics of a new available handheld device, the FreeStyle Precision Neo (FSP-Neo, Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Wiesbaden, Germany) for determination of ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations in bovine blood were evaluated by comparing the measurements with a laboratory reference. The BHB concentration was determined with the FSP-Neo device in 720 capillary blood samples from 3 different sampling sites (left, right ear, and repeated measurement) and in 240 samples from a coccygeal vessel. The concentration of BHB in serum harvested from the coccygeal blood samples was analyzed at the laboratory and was used as reference. The Spearman correlation coefficient (ρs) between the BHB concentrations in capillary blood measured with the handheld device and the reference test was between 0.76 and 0.81. Using capillary blood, the mean ± standard deviation BHB difference compared with the reference test was 0.20±0.47 mmol/L for all 3 sampling locations at the ears. The receiver operating characteristic analyses for the FSP-Neo device resulted in an optimized threshold for the detection of subclinical ketosis (SCK) in capillary blood of 1.3 mmol/L (left and right ear) and 1.2 mmol/L (repeated measurements). Applying these adjusted threshold sensitivities (Se) for all 3 capillary sampling sites at the ear were 100%, and specificities (Sp) ranged between 93 and 94%. Hence, we conclude that all sampling locations were suitable to identify cows suffering from SCK. The reference test compared with BHB measurements in coccygeal blood resulted in a ρs of 0.92 with a mean ± standard deviation of 0.02±0.21 mmol/L. The receiver operating characteristic analyses for the FSP-Neo device resulted in an optimized threshold for the detection of SCK in coccygeal blood of 1.1 mmol/L, with a corresponding Se and Sp of 100 and 95%, respectively. Because capillary blood is easily achievable from an ear, particularly if animals are fixed in headlocks for routine checkups, this technique is considered as an additional minimally invasive method for the identification of dairy cows suffering from HYK.

TNF-α mediates mitochondrial uncoupling and enhances ROS-dependent cell migration via NF-κB activation in liver cells.

Development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is accompanied by a continuous increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. To investigate the primary source of ROS in liver cells, we used tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as stimulus. Applying inhibitors against the respiratory chain complexes, we identified mitochondria as primary source of ROS production. TNF-α altered mitochondrial integrity by mimicking a mild uncoupling effect in liver cells, as indicated by a 40% reduction in membrane potential and ATP depletion (35%). TNF-α-induced ROS production activated NF-κB 3.5-fold and subsequently enhanced migration up to 12.7-fold. This study identifies complex I and complex III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain as point of release of ROS upon TNF-α stimulation of liver cells, which enhances cell migration by activating NF-κB signalling.

[Media use with developmental benefits]. / Entwicklungsförderlicher Medienumgang.

For children of school age television is still the dominant medium. TV consumption isn't only limited on the TV set, but also happens on the computer with internet access and mobile devices. Computer games take a high priority for boys. For girls reading is still an important experience space. Parents influence the media use of their children by their role model, and the rates for shared non-media experiences. Neighborhoods which aren't child-friendly can cause children's withdraw into home media spaces. Restrictions and controls are less important than the conversations that are conducted around media interests of the child and parents attention to early signs of problematic media use. Potentially irritating media content for children (such as violence or sex) can have strong effects when there's no open debate taking place in the family around these issues. Today's media diversity leads to parallel surfing and multi-tasking. In order that this doesn't influence children's cognitive development and learning negatively a culture of regular restriction to one activity, to which they devote their full attention, is required.

[Impacts of computer- and media usage on the personality development of children and young people]. / Einflüsse von Computer- und Mediennutzung auf die Persönlichkeitsentwicklung von Kindern und Jugendlichen.

The psychosocial development of children and the youth today is embedded in a media society. Socialization is understood as an interaction between the individual and its environment. Media are used to accomplish developmental tasks and media literacy has become a developmental task in itself. The presence of media in all social subsystems of every day life alters the general socialization processes, like the integration into peergroups or the detaching from the parents. Media can play the role of resources or the role of risk factors for the development. Empirical research shows that children's access to media is more and more enhanced and an increasing amount of time is spent with screen media. Media socialization of the young people takes on the mode of self education, but children are dependent on adults to prevent negative media effects such as Internet addiction. If media usage is part of an environment which is adequat for children's wellbeeing, the psychosocial development will not be affected negatively by the media.

The blood supply of the growth plate and the epiphysis: a comparative scanning electron microscopy and histological experimental study in growing sheep.

The blood supply of the growth plate has been described in the late 50s and early 60s, and there was controversial discussion about the existence of transphyseal vessels. The vascular supply of growth plate and epiphysis of the proximal tibia was reinvestigated using a modern technique, the Mercox-perfusion method, in six sheep aged 6-24 weeks. A comparison was made among pure perfusion specimens, the corrosion casts, and histological sections. The metaphyseal, epiphyseal, and perichondral blood supply systems were confirmed. However, there was evidence of regular transphyseal anastomoses between the metaphyseal and epiphyseal system. Based on the histological arrangement of the blood vessels, the arterial blood flow would appear to be from the metaphysis to the epiphysis. The existence of transphyseal arterial vessels originating metaphyseally and seen both in cast preparations and histological sections was added to the present description of the blood supply of the growth plate. Age-related differences in the vascularization of the growth plate were not found in this study.

Differential expression of APO-1 on human thymocytes: implications for negative selection?

Negative selection during T cell ontogeny involves selective induction of apoptosis in thymocytes. In peripheral lymphoid cells, apoptosis may be mediated via the APO-1 pathway. Here we report that APO-1 is constitutively expressed on the vast majority of human thymocytes but down-regulated at a mature stage of thymocyte development (TCR(hi)). This stage of development is characterized by CD28hi, CD44hi, CD69hi and up-regulation of Bcl-2 protein. We define a new thymocyte subpopulation that expresses high levels of APO-1 and intermediate levels of T cell receptor alpha/beta (TCR(im)/APO-1hi). The TCR(im)/APO-1hi population contains a large fraction of dead cells, suggesting that the APO-1 pathway may be involved in negative selection of at least a fraction of thymocytes after intrathymic activation.

[Monoclonal antibodies in the therapy of non-resectable pancreatic cancers. Initial experiences]. / Monoklonale Antikörper in der Therapie nicht-resektabler Pankreascarcinome. Erste Erfahrungen.

In this study 34 patients with pancreatic cancer were treated postoperatively with monoclonal antibodies (MABs). The antibody BW 494/32 is directed against a membrane antigen of differentiated adenocarcinomas of the pancreas and mediates cellular cytotoxicity. The patients suffered from non resectable tumors, mostly with lymph-node or liver metastases. The patients received repeated doses of MABs over a time period from 5 to 14 days. The highest single dose was 100 mg, the highest cumulative dose 490 mg. At the moment 16 out of 34 patients are eligible for evaluation of tumor response. There was no complete or partial remission (reduction more than 50% of tumor volume). However, two patients responded with minor tumor regression up to 32 weeks documented by reduction of liver metastases and primary tumor in cat scan. Five additional patients presented with a long period of stable disease after immunotherapy (up to 40 weeks). 9 patients had progressive tumor disease in spite of MAB-treatment. Two to three weeks after antibody infusion most patients produce human anti-murine-antibodies, so that severe allergic reactions may occur, if the application is repeated.