Dietary supplementation of rumen native microbes improves lactation performance and feed efficiency in dairy cows.

Objectives were to determine the effects of 2 dietary microbial additives supplemented to diets of Holstein cows on productive performance and feed efficiency. One-hundred and 17 Holstein cows were enrolled at 61 d (31 to 87 d) postpartum in a randomized complete block design experiment. Cows were blocked by parity group, as nulliparous or multiparous cows and, within parity, by pre-treatment energy-corrected milk yield. Within block, cows were randomly assigned to one of 3 treatments administered as top-dress for 140 d. Treatments consisted of either 100 g of corn meal containing no microbial additive (CON; 15 primiparous and 25 multiparous), 100 g of corn meal containing 5 g of a mixture of Clostridium beijerinckii and Pichia kudriavzevii (G1; 4 × 107 cfu of C. beijerinckii and 1 × 109 cfu of P. kudriavzevii; 14 primiparous and 24 multiparous), or 100 g of corn meal containing 5 g of a mixture of C. beijerinckii, P. kudriavzevii, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and Ruminococcus bovis (G2; 4 × 107 cfu of C. beijerinckii, 1 × 109 cfu of P. kudriavzevii, 1 × 108 cfu of B. fibrisolvens, and 1 × 108 cfu of R. bovis; 15 primiparous and 24 multiparous). Intake of DM, milk yield, and BW were measured daily, whereas milk composition was analyzed at each milking 2 d a week, and body condition was scored twice weekly. Milk samples were collected on d 60 and 62 in the experiment and analyzed for individual fatty acids. The data were analyzed with mixed-effects models with orthogonal contrast to determine the impact of microbial additive (MA; CON vs. 1/2 G1 + 1/2 G2) and type of microbial additive (TMA; G1 vs. G2). Results are described in sequence as CON, G1, and G2. Intake of DM (22.2 vs. 22.4 vs. 22.4 kg/d), BW (685 vs. 685 vs. 685 kg) and the daily BW change (0.40 vs. 0.39 vs. 0.39 kg/d) did not differ among treatments; however, feeding MA tended to increase BCS (3.28 vs. 3.33 vs. 3.36). Supplementing MA increased yields of milk (39.9 vs. 41.3 vs. 41.5 kg/d), ECM (37.9 vs. 39.3 vs. 39.9 kg/d), fat (1.31 vs. 1.37 vs. 1.40 kg/d), total solids (4.59 vs. 4.75 vs. 4.79 kg/d), and ECM per kg of DMI (1.72 vs. 1.76 vs. 1.80 kg/kg). Furthermore, cows fed MA increased yields of pre-formed fatty acids in milk fat (>16C; 435 vs. 463 vs. 488 g/d), particularly unsaturated fatty acids (367 vs. 387 vs. 410 g/d), such as linoleic (C18:2 cis-9, cis-12; 30.9 vs. 33.5 vs. 35.4 g/d) and α-linolenic acids (C18:3 cis-9, cis-12, cis-15; 2.46 vs. 2.68 vs. 2.82 g/d) on d 60 and 62 in the experiment. Collectively, supplementing G1 and G2 improved productive performance of cows with no differences between the 2 MA.

Evaluating differences in milk production, reproductive performance, and survival associated with vaginal discharge characteristics and fever in postpartum dairy cows.

The objective was to assess differences in productive and reproductive performance, and survival associated with vaginal discharge characteristics and fever in postpartum dairy cows located in western and southern states of the United States. This retrospective cohort study included data from 3 experiments conducted in 9 dairies. Vaginal discharge was evaluated twice within 12 DIM and scored on a 5-point scale. The highest vaginal discharge score observed for each cow was used to allocate them into 1 of 5 possible groups (VD group) as follows: VD 1 and 2 (VD 1/2; n = 1,174) = clear mucus or lochia with or without flecks of pus; VD 3 (n = 1,802) = mucopurulent with <50% pus; VD 4 (n = 1,643) = mucopurulent with ≥50% of pus or nonfetid reddish-brownish mucus, n = 1,643; VD 5 = fetid, watery, and reddish-brownish, n = 1,800. All VD 5 cows received treatment according to each herd's protocol. Rectal temperature was assessed in a subset of VD 5 cows, and subsequently divided into fever (rectal temperature ≥39.5°C; n = 334) and no fever (n = 558) groups. A smaller proportion of cows with VD 5 (67.6%) resumed ovarian cyclicity compared with VD 1/2 (76.2%) and VD 4 (72.9%) cows; however, a similar proportion of VD 5 and VD 3 (72.6%) cows resumed ovarian cyclicity. A smaller proportion of VD 5 (85.8%) cows received at least one AI compared with VD 1/2 (91.5%), VD 3 (91.0%), or VD 4 (91.6%) cows. Although we did not detect differences in pregnancy at first AI according to VD, fewer cows with VD 5 (64.4%) were pregnant at 300 DIM than cows with VD 1/2 (76.5%), VD 3 (76.2%), or VD 4 (74.7%). Hazard of pregnancy by 300 DIM was smaller for VD 5 compared with VD 1/2, VD 3, or VD 4 cows. A greater proportion of VD 5 cows were removed from the herd within 300 DIM compared with other VD groups. Milk production was 760 kg lower within 300 DIM for VD 5 compared with VD 2, VD 3, and VD 4, whereas VD 2, VD 3, and VD 4 had similar milk production. We did not detect an association between fever at diagnosis of VD 5 and reproductive performance or milk production. A greater proportion of VD 5 cows without fever were removed from the herd by 300 DIM compared with VD 5 cows with fever. Differences in productive and reproductive performance, and removal of the herd were restricted to fetid, watery, and reddish-brownish vaginal discharge, which was independent of fever.

Blood metabolomics and impacted cellular mechanisms during transition into lactation in dairy cows that develop metritis.

The objective of this study was to identify metabolites associated with metritis and use them for identification of cellular mechanisms affected during transition into lactation. Holstein cows (n = 104) had blood collected in the prepartum period (d -14 ± 6 relative to calving), at calving (d 0), and at the day of metritis diagnosis (d 7 ± 2 after calving). Cows with reddish or brownish, watery, and fetid discharge were diagnosed with metritis (n = 52). Cows with metritis were paired with herdmates without metritis (n = 52) based on days in milk. The metabolome of plasma samples was evaluated using untargeted gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Univariate analyses included t-tests and fold change analyses. Metabolites with false discovery rate adjusted P ≤ 0.10 on t-tests were used for partial least squares discriminant analysis coupled with permutational analysis using 2,000 permutations. Metabolites with false discovery rate adjusted P ≤ 0.10 on t-tests were also used for enriched pathway analyses and identification of cellular processes. Cows that developed metritis had affected cellular processes associated with lower amino acid metabolism in the prepartum period, greater lipolysis, cell death, and oxidative stress at calving and at metritis diagnosis, and greater leukocyte activation at calving, but lower immune cell activation at metritis diagnosis. In summary, cows that developed metritis had plasma metabolomic changes associated with greater lipolysis, oxidative stress, and a dysregulated immune response which may predispose cows to metritis development.

COVID-19 vaccine confidence in the post-vaccination era: Perceptions among adults with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Objective: Assess the perceived protection afforded by a range of COVID-19 vaccines in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases patients previously vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Study design: Survey. Methods: On-line cross-sectional survey aimed at evaluating the perceived protection (and its determinants) afforded by a range of COVID-19 vaccines among immune-mediated inflammatory diseases previously vaccinated for COVID-19. Results: Out of 493 eligible respondents who lived in Brazil, 397 (80.5%) were confident that their primary vaccination series would protect them against severe COVID-19. In multivariate analysis, only overlapping immune-mediated inflammatory diseases remained (negatively) associated with the perception of protection. Conclusions: No influence was found between COVID-19 vaccine types and the perception of protection after initial vaccinations.

Differences in uterine and serum metabolome associated with metritis in dairy cows.

Objectives were to evaluate differences in the uterine and serum metabolomes associated with metritis in dairy cows. Vaginal discharge was evaluated using a Metricheck device (Simcro) at 5, 7, and 11 d in milk (DIM; herd 1) or 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 DIM (herd 2). Cows with reddish or brownish, watery, and fetid discharge were diagnosed with metritis (n = 24). Cows with metritis were paired with herdmates without metritis (i.e., clear mucous vaginal discharge or clear lochia with ≤50% of pus) based on DIM and parity (n = 24). Day of metritis diagnosis was considered study d 0. All cows diagnosed with metritis received antimicrobial therapy. The metabolome of uterine lavage collected on d 0 and 5, and serum samples collected on d 0 were evaluated using untargeted gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Normalized data were subjected to multivariate canonical analysis of population using the MultBiplotR and MixOmics packages in R Studio. Univariate analyses including t-test, principal component analyses, partial least squares discriminant analyses, and pathway analyses were conducted using Metaboanalyst. The uterine metabolome differed between cows with and without metritis on d 0. Differences in the uterine metabolome associated with metritis on d 0 were related to the metabolism of butanoate, amino acids (i.e., glycine, serine, threonine, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate), glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. No differences in the serum metabolome were observed between cows diagnosed with metritis and counterparts without metritis on d 0. Similarly, no differences in uterine metabolome were observed between cows with metritis and counterparts not diagnosed with metritis on d 5. These results indicate that the establishment of metritis in dairy cows is associated with local disturbances in amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism in the uterus. The lack of differences in the uterine metabolome on d 5 indicates that processes implicated with the disease are reestablished by d 5 after diagnosis and treatment.

Evaluation of luteolysis, follicle size, and time to ovulation in Holstein heifers treated with two different analogs and doses of prostaglandin-F2α.

Objectives were to evaluate the effect of 2 analogs of PGF2α (cloprostenol vs. dinoprost) and 2 doses (1 injection vs. 2 injections) on luteolysis, follicle diameter, hormonal concentrations, and time to ovulation in dairy heifers. Holstein heifers were fitted with automated estrus detection devices and had their estrous cycle synchronized using PGF2α and an intravaginal insert containing progesterone. Heifers detected in estrus were blocked by weight and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: cloprostenol on d 7 after estrus (CLOx1; n = 45), cloprostenol on d 7 and 8 after estrus (CLOx2; n = 41), dinoprost on d 7 after estrus (DINx1; n = 43), or dinoprost on d 7 and 8 after estrus (DINx2; n = 44). Treatment with the first injection of PGF2α was defined as experiment d 0. Area and blood flow of corpus luteum (CL) and diameter of follicles >5 mm were recorded every 12 h from d 0 to estrus and every 6 h thereafter until ovulation. Blood was sampled every 6 h from d 0 until ovulation. Heifers treated with cloprostenol had shorter interval to luteolysis (± SEM; CLOx1 = 23.5 ± 2.2, CLOx2 = 22.9 ± 2.2, DINx1 = 32.6 ± 2.7, DINx2 = 26.4 ± 2.1 h); however, time to ovulation was not affected by treatment. A smaller proportion of heifers treated with a single injection of PGF2α underwent luteolysis compared with heifers treated with 2 injections (CLOx1 = 84.6 ± 6.2, CLOx2 = 100.0 ± 0.0, DINx1 = 59.7 ± 9.8, DINx2 = 96.3 ± 2.7%). Proportion of heifers that ovulated was smaller for DINx1 compared with other treatments (CLOx1 = 88.8 ± 5.1, CLOx2 = 100.0 ± 0.0, DINx1 = 55.2 ± 9.7, DINx2 = 94.4 ± 3.4%). Ovulatory follicle diameter was larger for DINx1 (18.2 ± 2.7 mm) compared with DINx2 (17.4 ± 2.7 mm), whereas dose did not affect the diameter of the ovulatory follicle in heifers treated with cloprostenol (CLOx1 = 17.6 ± 2.7 vs. CLOx2 = 17.8 ± 2.8 mm). Among heifers that underwent luteolysis, progesterone concentrations from 18 to 36 h after treatment were lesser in heifers treated with cloprostenol compared with those treated with dinoprost. Type of PGF2α did not affect progesterone concentrations past 36 h from treatment; however, heifers treated with 2 PGF2α injections had lesser progesterone concentrations and CL blood flow from 36 to 72 h after treatment compared with heifers that received a single PGF2α injection.

Discoid lupus in antiphospholipid syndrome: case description and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to report about a patient with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) who developed antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) 12 years after DLE diagnosis and review related literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a case report of a 34-year-old woman with DLE who developed APS. A review of articles published in the PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO databases from 1966 to October 2020 was conducted using the following search terms: "antiphospholipid syndrome," "antiphospholipid antibodies," and "discoid lupus erythematosus" No language limitation was applied. RESULTS: Besides the present case, 5 case reports were identified. One case-control and two cross-sectional studies on antiphospholipid antibodies with or without APS in DLE were also reviewed. These studies revealed that APS can develop even 37 years after DLE was diagnosed. The case-control study found that patients with DLE have more anticardiolipin antibodies than controls. In contrast, one cross-sectional study showed a low prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in their group of patients, which was similar to findings in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: This study reviewed previous articles on DLE cases associated with antiphospholipid antibodies and/or APS, adding a new case description.

Failure of clinical cure in dairy cows treated for metritis is associated with reduced productive and reproductive performance.

Objectives were to assess reproductive and productive outcomes associated with failure of clinical cure in dairy cows diagnosed with metritis following antimicrobial therapy. This retrospective cohort study included data from 3 experiments performed in 5 dairies. Metritis was characterized by the presence of watery, fetid, reddish-brownish vaginal discharge within 21 DIM (study d 0). Cows not diagnosed with metritis (i.e., cows may have had other diseases postpartum; NoMT; n = 1,194) were paired based on lactation number and calving date. All cows with metritis received antimicrobial therapy (ampicillin or ceftiofur). Clinical cure was evaluated on d 10 based on vaginal discharge score, and cows were categorized as cured (MTC; n = 1,111) or not cured (MTnoC; n = 299). Purulent vaginal discharge (28 ± 3 or 32 ± 3 DIM), cytological endometritis (35 ± 3 or 39 ± 3 DIM), and estrous cyclicity (50 ± 3 and 64 ± 3, 36 ± 3 and 50 ± 3, or 37 ± 5 and 51 ± 5 DIM) were evaluated in subgroups of cows. Proportions of cows with purulent vaginal discharge and cytological endometritis were greatest for MTnoC (91.7 and 91.4%), intermediate for MTC (74.0 and 73.3%), and smallest for NoMT (38.1 and 36.4%). Proportion of cyclic cows was smaller for MTnoC compared with MTC and NoMT (62.0, 71.0, and 71.0%). Pregnancy per artificial insemination following first service was smaller for cows with metritis compared with their counterparts with no metritis (NoMT = 28.1, MTC = 26.1, MTnoC = 22.0%). Pregnancy loss tended to be greater for MTnoC compared with MTC (NoMT = 11.5, MTC = 11.1, MTnoC = 18.4%). Hazard of pregnancy by 300 DIM was smallest for MTnoC, intermediate for MTC, and greatest for NoMT. Death by 60 DIM (3.9, 1.1, and 0.6%) and removal from herd by 300 DIM (26.3, 17.4, and 15.4%) were greatest for MTnoC compared with MTC and NoMT, respectively. Milk production among multiparous cows was smaller for MTnoC compared with MTC and NoMT in the first 10 mo postpartum, whereas MTC produced less milk compared with NoMT only during the first 2 mo postpartum (NoMT = 42.0 ± 0.22, MTC = 40.6 ± 0.28, MTnoC = 37.7 ± 0.54 kg/d). Failure of clinical cure was not associated with milk yield in primiparous cows (NoMT = 35.2 ± 0.31, MTC = 33.9 ± 0.31, MTnoC = 35.0 ± 0.52 kg/d). Cows diagnosed with metritis that do not undergo clinical cure by 10 d of onset of antimicrobial therapy have impaired reproductive performance, reduced milk production, and increased risk of leaving the herd.

Organization of outpatient consultations at a hand surgery department in a French university hospital during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The COVID-19 health crisis has greatly impacted the organization of outpatient consultations, especially in hand surgery. Five reorganization stages were described during the crisis (from week 11 to week 21 in 2020): preparatory stage, 1st organizational stage, wait-and-see stage, 2nd organizational stage, and progressive return stage. The number of patients seen on-site decreased 64% in 2020 compared to 2019, while 78% of consultations were canceled. The logistics (teleconsultation, dedicated COVID-19 patient pathways) and human resources (sick leave, telework, reassignment to other departments) were adapted to ensure that patients who are usually seen in our hand surgery department received adequate care.

Accuracy of orthognathic surgery with customized titanium plates-Systematic review.

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the accuracy of customized titanium plates in orthognathic surgery compared to standard outcome in virtual surgical planning. PRISMA and JBI guidelines were followed. Research protocol was registered in PROSPERO. Six databases and two gray literature repositories were used as sources of research articles. Descriptive clinical studies, that performed orthognathic surgery using custom titanium plates, were included. Risk of bias was assessed by "The Joanna-Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools for use in Systematic Reviews Checklist for Case Series". Of the 11,916 studies initially identified, seven met the eligibility criteria and were included. The studies were published between 2015 and 2019. Most of the studies (57%) had a low risk of bias, while one had a high risk of bias. Total sample included 74 patients with 63 bimaxillary surgeries and 11 unimaxillary surgeries. All studies showed acceptable accuracy within previously established clinical parameters. Although the eligible articles assessed the accuracy of the orthognathic surgery with respect to virtual planning, the wide variability of evaluation methodologies made it impossible to calculate a combined accuracy measure. It was not possible to perform a meta-analysis, so a pragmatic recommendation on the use of these plates is not possible.

Rhodococcus equi infection as inaugural manifestation of idiopathic CD4+ lymphopenia: A rare entity and a therapeutic challenge.

We report a case of disseminated infection by Rhodococcus equi as the inaugural manifestation of idiopathic T-CD4+ lymphopenia. We aim to demonstrate our diagnostic and therapeutic approach and focus on the major dilemmas arising from the lack of scientific evidence regarding best clinical practice of this infection in humans.