Effects of dry period length on metabolic status, fertility, udder health, and colostrum production in 2 cow breeds.

Shortening the dry period improves postpartum energy balance, which has potential positive effects on metabolic health. This concept has been mainly studied in Holstein cows. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a short dry period of 4 wk, compared with a standard dry period of 8 wk, on the metabolic status, progesterone profiles, health, and colostrum quality of dairy cows of 2 breeds, Swedish Red (SR) and Swedish Holstein (SH), not treated with antibiotics at dry off. The IgG uptake in calves was also studied to reflect the colostrum quality when shortening the dry period. Cows of both SH and SR were blocked by breed and parity and then randomly allocated to a short dry period of 4 wk (4W, n = 43) or a conventional dry period of 8 wk (8W, n = 34). Blood samples were collected wk -8, -4, -2, -1 and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 relative to calving. Prepartum, cows with a 4-wk dry period had higher concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and lower concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin than 8W cows. Postpartum, plasma concentration of nonesterified fatty acids was lower, whereas plasma insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 tended to be higher for 4W cows than for 8W cows. Plasma concentration of ß-hydroxybutyrate did not differ between dry period lengths. Swedish Holstein cows with a 4W dry period responded with a lower concentration of insulin prepartum than SR and SH on an 8W dry period. The dry period length had no effect on the proportion of disturbed progesterone profiles; disturbed progesterone profiles occurred in 30% of the 4W cows and 47% of the 8W cows. In this trial, only 48.8% of the SR cows had a normal progesterone profile, which differed from the SH where 76.5% had a normal profile. Fertility-related diseases (endometritis, pyometra, anestrus, ovarian cyst) did not differ between the 2 dry period groups: 21% in the 8W group versus 12% in the 4W group, whereas mastitis tended to be more common: 26% of the 4W cows versus 9% of the 8W cows. A short dry period resulted in less colostrum but with a higher content of protein and somatic cell count. Calves were fed colostrum from their dam, and the IgG and total protein in plasma did not differ between calves to mothers with different a dry period length. Shortening the dry period could improve metabolic status in cows of both SH and SR breed postpartum, without compromising the colostrum quality. Health and progesterone profiles were not affected by the dry period length for SH or SR in this study.

Altered mucosa-associated microbiota in the ileum and colon of neonatal calves in response to delayed first colostrum feeding.

The present study investigated whether delaying the first feeding of colostrum affected ileum and colon mucosa-associated microbiota in calves. Twenty-seven male Holstein calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups, fed colostrum at 45 min, 6 h, and 12 h after birth, respectively. Ileum and colon mucosa were collected at 51 h after birth, and their associated microbial profiles were assessed using amplicon sequencing. Both ileum and colon mucosa-associated microbiota were predominated by genus Escherichia-Shigella. The negative correlation between the molar proportion of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and ileum mucosa-associated opportunistic pathogens, and the positive correlation between the molar proportion of SCFA and colon mucosa-associated beneficial bacteria, suggest that SCFA might play an important role in maintaining the gut health of 2-d-old calves. A higher relative abundance of ileum mucosa-associated Enterococcus and Streptococcus was detected when the first colostrum feeding was delayed for 12 h. The relative abundance of colon mucosa-associated Lactobacillus tended to be lower in calves fed colostrum 12 h than those under the other 2 treatments, whereas that of Faecalibacterium tended to be lower in calves fed colostrum immediately after birth than those fed colostrum 6 and 12 h after birth, respectively. Our findings suggest that delayed first colostrum feeding affects the establishment of ileum and colon mucosa-associated bacteria, which may have long-term effects on gut health of calves.

Inducing metamorphosis in the irukandji jellyfish Carukia barnesi.

Here we utilize chemical ecology as a tool to manipulate the biological system of a small, but highly venomous to humans, cubozoan jellyfish, Carukia barnesi. We trialled a range of chemical reagents including indole compounds, 9-cis-retinoic acid and lugols solution to induce metamorphosis between the polyp and medusa life stages. An optimum method was determined resulting in a 90% metamorphosis rate to healthy medusa by exposing the polyps to 1 µM of 5-methoxy-2-methylindole for 24 h. Of note is that chemical exposure time significantly impacts health and metamorphosis rates in this species. We also present a theoretical mechanism for the chemical/biological interactions occurring during metamorphosis. This is a significant methodological advancement which now enables rearing of this animal en mass in aquaria-a world first for this species-which will subsequently supply and facilitate venom research into this understudied jellyfish.

Erratum to "The influence of ecological factors on cnidarian venoms" [Toxicon: X 9-10C (2021) 100067].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100067.].

The influence of ecological factors on cnidarian venoms.

Venom research is often focussed on medical relevance, novel compounds and venom evolution, whilst studying the relationship between a venom and its environment - venom ecology - has been conducted to a lesser extent. Given the projected environmental changes envisioned to occur with global warming, it is pertinent now more than ever, to highlight this topic. Here we review literature examining the influence of ecological factors such as environmental temperature, salinity, ontogeny, geographic location and diet on cnidarian venoms. This review provides an exclusive focus on the cnidarian phylum and encompasses all available published, peer-reviewed literature to our knowledge regarding the ecological factors influencing venom. We find a startling lack of research into the effects of both environmental and biological factors on venoms, with very few to no studies available per category. Importantly, research does exist that suggest these ecological processes may influence other marine or terrestrial venoms, thus we recommend future research is needed to explore this concept in cnidarians.

Effects of dry period length on milk production and energy balance in two cow breeds.

Shortening the dry period (DP) has been proposed as a strategy to improve energy balance (EB) in cows in early lactation. This study evaluated the effects of shortening the DP on milk yield (MY), EB and residual feed intake (RFI) in two breeds; Swedish Red (SR) and Swedish Holstein (SH). Cows were blocked by breed and parity and then randomly assigned to one of two treatments; short DP of 4 weeks (4W, n=43) or conventional DP of 8 weeks (8W, n=34). Cows were kept and fed under the same conditions, except for the 4 weeks when the 4W group were still lactating prepartum and thus kept with the lactating cows. Milk yield and BW were recorded and body condition score (BCS) was rated from 10 weeks prepartum to 12 weeks postpartum. Dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded for lactating cows postpartum. Milk yield was reduced by 6.75 kg/day during the first 12 weeks postpartum (P<0.001) for the 4W cows compared with 8W cows, but there was no significant difference in total MY (3724 kg compared with 3684 kg, P=0.7) when the milk produced prepartum was included. Protein content was higher in 4W cows (3.42%) than in 8W cows (3.27%) (P<0.001) postpartum. In the 8W group, cows lost more BCS after calving (P<0.05). Cows of SR breed had higher BCS than cows of SH breed (SR=3.7, SH=3.2, P<0.001), but no differences in BW were found between breed and treatment. Energy balance was improved for cows in the 4W group (P<0.001), while feed efficiency, expressed as RFI, was reduced for 4W cows than for 8W cows (5.91 compared with -5.39, P<0.01). Shortening the DP resulted in improved EB postpartum with no difference between the breeds and no milk losses when including the milk produced prepartum.

Celecoxib reduces narcotic use and pain following augmentation mammaplasty.

BACKGROUND: Narcotics have traditionally been used to control pain after augmentation mammaplasty, but they have adverse side effects, including addiction potential, clouded sensorium, nausea, and respiratory depression. Alternative strategies for managing postoperative pain are expensive, cumbersome, and also have their own risks. While long-term use of celecoxib has been associated with an increased risk of serious adverse cardiovascular effects, no problems have been reported with short-term use. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of celecoxib, a selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, to an analgesic regimen reduced narcotic use and pain following augmentation mammaplasty. METHODS: One hundred patients underwent submuscular augmentation mammaplasty with smooth saline-filled mammary prostheses using an intravenous sedation technique. Group A (N = 50) used hydrocodone to manage postoperative pain. Group B (N = 50) used celecoxib 400 mg 1 to 2 hours before surgery and then daily in addition to hydrocodone postoperatively. Narcotic use, incidence of nausea, and complications were recorded. Pain was assessed daily with a Likert pain scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (severe pain). RESULTS: Group A used 110 +/- 34 mg hydrocodone during the immediate 7-day postoperative period and reported an average pain scale score of 5.1. Group B, which used celecoxib, used 34 +/- 22 mg hydrocodone during the same period with an average pain scale score of 3.3. These differences were statistically significant (P < .05). Group B experienced 53% less nausea than Group A. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding age, implant size, or complications. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative celecoxib administration in patients undergoing augmentation mammaplasty significantly reduced postoperative narcotic use, pain, and nausea. Its use should facilitate the patient's ability to resume everyday activities following surgery.

Molecular characterization of the Aspergillus nidulans yA locus.

We investigated the molecular organization of the region of Aspergillus nidulans chromosome I containing yA, a gene encoding the developmentally regulated enzyme conidial laccase. DNA fragments were identified that complemented the yA2 mutation and were shown to correspond to yA by genetic mapping and gene disruption experiments. The molecular map of the region was oriented to the genetic map by testing DNA fragments for their ability to complement a mutation in the tightly linked adE gene. The yA gene codes for a 2200 nucleotide mRNA that is present at low levels in vegetative cells and mature conidia, but accumulates to high levels in sporulating cultures. yA mRNA appears shortly after differentiation of sporogenous phialide cells. It accumulates in two developmentally abnormal mutant strains that produce phialides but is absent from two mutant strains that do not produce phialides. Thus, yA transcription is probably restricted to phialides. This result is discussed in relationship to the physiological roles played by phialides in spore differentiation.

Targeted ribozymes reveal a conserved function of the Drosophila paired gene in sensory organ development.

The Drosophila paired (prd) gene, the founding member of the PAX gene family, is required for normal embryonic segmentation and is re-expressed later in development in the head and developing CNS. As for most embryonically active genes, global defects resulting from loss of early prd function obscure an analysis of the role of later expression phases. We used inducible targeted ribozymes to functionally 'knock-out' prd at late stages. When prd protein levels in the head are reduced in this fashion, the maxillary chemosensory ventral organs fail to develop and dorsal-lateral cirri rows are disrupted. These studies reveal a role for prd in sensory organ development that appears to be conserved in PAX genes throughout the animal kingdom.

Flow and pressure characteristics of the portal system before and after splenorenal shunts.

The technique of percutaneous transhepatic portal vein cannulation provides a valuable means for determining portal pressure, direction of blood flow, and visualization of the entire portal system in the nonanesthetized patient. This technique, along with selective celiac arterial, superior mesenteric arterial, and renal venous catheterization, was used in the evaluation of a series of 17 splenorenal venous shunts [eight nonselective and nine selective (modified) distal splenorenal shunts]. As a result of these studies it is concluded that (1) prograde portal flow is maintained in the majority of patients following nonselective or selective (modified) distal splenorenal shunts; (2) bidirectional flow occurs in various branches of the portal system before and after splenorenal shunts; (3) a significant drop in portal pressure occurs following the establishment of either type of shunt; and (4) esophageal varices are decompressed by the trans-splenic route following either type of procedure used in this study.

A comparison of the late patency rates of axillobilateral femoral and axillounilateral femoral grafts.

A total of 130 axillofemoral grafts were peformed in 120 patients from 1966 to present; 66 were axillobilateral femoral moral and 64 were axillounilateral femoral grafts. The average patient age was 66 years. The indications for operation were occlusive disease with rest pain or gangrene in 102 patients, severe claudication four, and bypass of a thoracic aneurysm in one. The one month operative mortality rate was 8 percent (ten patients). Four deaths occurred in elderly patients operated upon as emergencies with acute aortic occlusion. In the 126 elective cases, there were six postoperative deaths (4.7 percent). Twenty thrombectomies were performed in 15 axillobilateral femoral grafts of which 15 (75 percent) were successful. In the unilateral grafts there were 25 thrombectomies in 22 grafts, of which only eight (32 percent) were successful. The 5 year patency rate by the life-table method was 74 percent for axillobilateral femoral grafts and 37 percent for axillounilateral femoral grafts. This difference in patency rates is statistically significant (p < 0.01). Average flow measured by electromagnetic flow meter in six axillobilateral femoral grafts was 621 c.c. per minute and in 11 unilateral femoral grafts was 273 c.c. per minute. We attribute the higher patency rate in axillobilateral femoral grafts to this increased flow. These data indicate that axillobilateral femoral grafts may be performed with anticipation of a 5 year patency rate comparable to that with conventional aortoiliac reconstruction and that axillobilateral femoral grafts should be performed in preference to axillounilateral femoral grafts in poor-risk patients requiring extra-anatomic bypass for aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Prevention of renal insufficiency after abdominal aortic aneurysm resection by optimal volume loading.

A retrospective case review of 34 men was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between preoperative volume loading and renal function before, during, and after abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. Volume expansion was guided by either central venous pressure (CVP) in 12 patients or pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) measurements in 22 patients. Statistically significant differences (P less than .05) were noted between the two groups where greater preoperative volume loading and urine output were associated with lower postoperative serum creatinine and renal function indices in the PAWP group. The age range, vascular risk factors, aneurysm size, and preoperative renal function were similar. The data indicate that (1) PAWP is a more accurate monitor for volume expansion than CVP and (2) when volume replacement is optimal, abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery is not associated with postoperative renal insufficiency.

Venous stasis ulceration. Effectiveness of subfascial ligation.

Forty-seven extremities with recurrent venous ulceration were treated by subfascial ligation of incompetent perforating veins. The limbs were observed for an average of 8.5 years (range, 0.5 to 13 years). The risk for recurrence was 22%, 41%, and 51% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Patients with bilateral ulceration or prior venous ligation were at the highest risk for recurrence, while those with prior excision of prominent varicose veins had a reduced risk. There has been no loss of limbs or life secondary to this venous problem during the 398 cumulative years of observation.

Staged infrainguinal revascularization: initial prosthetic above-knee bypass followed by a distal vein bypass for recurrent ischemia. A valid concept for extending limb salvage?

Optimal infrainguinal revascularization should provide limb salvage for the longest duration of time. It is not known whether limb salvage is longer with an initial below-knee popliteal or tibial in situ saphenous vein graft or with staged bypasses; that is, an initial above-knee popliteal prosthetic bypass if feasible, followed by a more distal vein graft should the above-knee prosthetic graft fail. A retrospective review of 197 lower extremity vascular reconstructions performed since 1976 utilizing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), umbilical vein, or in situ saphenous vein was completed. The data were analyzed for differences in limb salvage and prevention of limb threatening ischemia among three subgroups: above-knee prosthetic bypass, below-knee or tibial in situ saphenous vein bypass, and staged reconstructions (above-knee prosthetic bypass with subsequent in situ bypass). The groups were similar with respect to severity of limb threatening ischemia as indicated by mean preoperative ankle-brachial indices. Cumulative secondary limb salvage at 36 months was 73 percent for prosthetic grafts in the above-knee position, 78 percent for in situ saphenous vein grafts in the below-knee or tibial position, and 87 percent for staged reconstruction with an initial prosthetic graft to the above-knee position followed by a distal in situ vein bypass when the prosthetic graft fails.

In situ saphenous vein bypass grafts for limb salvage. A current fad or a viable alternative to reversed vein bypass grafts?

Revascularization of the lower extremity using the in situ saphenous vein bypass graft has resurfaced as a clinical alternative to reversal of the saphenous vein. Early patency rates have been excellent, however, concern has been raised about the durability of the in situ technique. Our total experience with this technique has been reviewed to evaluate its effectiveness on a teaching vascular service. Seventy-six limbs in 71 patients were revascularized using the in situ technique. The distal anastomosis was created at the below-the-knee popliteal level in 26 limbs and at the infrapopliteal level in 50 limbs. Operative assessment of the vein quality showed 42 percent to be phlebitic or less than 4 mm in diameter. Hospital mortality was 0 and late mortality was 8 percent. Cumulative life table analysis showed the graft patency rate to be 89 percent 1 month postoperatively, 82 percent at 1 year, 77 percent at 2 years, and 72 percent up to 4 year postoperatively. Patency was independent of runoff to the pedal arch and the level of the distal anastomosis. Limb salvage at 4 years was 83 percent for distal popliteal grafts and 79 percent for infrapopliteal reconstructions. Our results indicate that the long-term durability of the in situ saphenous vein graft is excellent despite suboptimal veins and poor runoff. When performed properly, it is the preferred technique for arterial reconstruction below the knee joint.