The effect of first-lactation calving season, milk production, and morphology on the survival of Simmental cows.

Longevity in dairy and dual-purpose cattle is a complex trait which depends on many individual and managerial factors. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the survival (SURV) rate of Italian Simmental dual-purpose cows across different parities. Data of this study referred to 2 173 primiparous cows under official milk recording that calved between 2002 and 2020. Only cows linearly classified for type traits, including muscularity (MU) and body condition score (BCS) were kept. Survival analysis was carried out, through the Cox regression model, for different pairwise combinations of classes of milk productivity MU, BCS, and calving season. Herd-year of first calving was also considered in the model. SURV (0 = culled; 1 = survived) at each lactation up to the 6th were the dependent variables, so that, for example, SURV2 equal to 1 was attributed to cows that entered the 2nd lactation. Survival rates were 98, 71, 63, 56, and 53% for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th lactation, respectively. Results revealed that SURV2 was not dependent on milk yield, while in subsequent parities, low-producing cows were characterized by higher SURV compared to high-producing ones. Additionally, cows starting the lactation in autumn survived less (47.38%) than those starting in spring (53.49%), suggesting that facing the late gestation phase in summer could increase the culling risk. The present study indicates that SURV in Italian Simmental cows is influenced by various factors in addition to milk productivity. However, it is important to consider that in this study all first-calving cows culled before the linear evaluation - carried out between mid- and late lactation in this breed - were not accounted for. Finding can be transferred to other dual-purpose breeds, where the cows' body conformation and muscle development - i.e. meat-related features - are often considered as important as milk performance by farmers undertaking culling decisions.

Health and welfare assessment of beef cattle during the adaptation period in a specialized commercial fattening unit.

Beef cattle welfare and health status are influenced by housing and management systems. The present study aimed to assess the welfare and health status in the first 15 days after arrival of Limousine bulls imported from France and fattened in a commercial fattening unit in Italy. A total of 264 bulls were included in the study. Welfare, biosecurity, and major hazard and warning system were assessed on days 2 (T1) and 15 (T2) after arrival to the unit. At T1 and T2 an inspective clinical examination was performed on all bulls. At T1 and T2 blood samples were collected from 88 bulls for haematological analysis. Both at T1 and T2, the welfare, biosecurity, and major hazards and warning systems were classified with a general score of medium but with a decrease on animal-based measurements in T2. At T1 and T2 the clinical examination revealed a significant increase (p-value≤0.05) of skin lesions and lameness in T2. A high incidence of respiratory disease was noticed in both assessed times. Leucocytes and all differentials count, and platelets were significantly increased (p-value≤0.05) at T2, while the fibrinogen was significantly decreased. The haematological changes suggest that the bulls were under higher stress in T2 when compared with T1 linked with a difficult adaptation response to the fattening unit. A multi-factorial approach that integrates the indicators of the checklist and the clinical and haematological findings of animals can be a useful method to deepen the assessment of welfare in beef cattle.

Impact of Molasses on Ruminal Volatile Fatty Acid Production and Microbiota Composition In Vitro.

The aim of this study was to assess if molasses could modify VFA production and the rumen microbial community in vitro. Three beet (treatment Beet) and three cane (treatment Cane) molasses preparations were randomly selected from a variety of samples collected worldwide and incubated in vitro with rumen fluid along with a control sample (treatment CTR, in which no molasses was used). Flasks for VFA analysis were sampled at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 24 h of each incubation. For microbiota analysis, samples from each fermentation flask after 12 and 24 h were subjected to microbial DNA extraction and V3-V4 16S rRNA gene sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform. Total net VFA production was higher in the beet and cane preparations than in the control (CTR) group at 24 h (33 mmol/L, 34 mmol/L, and 24.8 mmol/L, respectively), and the composition of VFAs was affected by the inclusion of molasses: acetic acid increased in the CTR group (73.5 mol%), while propionic acid increased in the beet and cane molasses (19.6 mol% and 18.6 mol%, respectively), and butyric acid increased, especially in the cane group (23.2 mol%). Molasses even influenced the composition of the rumen microbiota, and particularly the relative abundance of the most dominant family in the rumen, Prevotellaceae, which decreased compared to CTR (37.13%, 28.88%, and 49.6%, respectively). In contrast, Streptococcaceae (19.62% and 28.10% in molasses compared to 6.23% in CTR), Veillonellaceae (6.48% and 8.67% in molasses compared to 4.54% in CTR), and Fibrobacteraceae (0.90% and 0.88% in molasses compared to 0.62% in CTR) increased in the beet and cane groups compared to the CTR group. Another important finding is the lower proportion of Methanobacteriaceae following the addition of molasses compared to CTR (0.26%, 0.28%, and 0.43%, respectively). This study showed the impact of molasses in influencing VFA production and composition as a result of a modified rumen microbial composition.

Noninvasive electrocardiographic parameters to assess interventricular dyssynchrony in dogs with bundle branch blocks.

OBJECTIVES: To define electrocardiographic features of complete left bundle branch block (LBBB) and right bundle branch block (RBBB), and the use of R-peak time (RPT) to identify interventricular dyssynchrony in dogs with BBB. ANIMALS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve-lead ECG tracings of 20 dogs with RBBB, 20 with LBBB, and 60 healthy dogs were retrospectively analyzed and RPT was measured in precordial leads. Interventricular dyssynchrony index (IDI) was than calculated. RESULTS: In RBBB, mean electrical axis (MEA) was -111° [-120/-100°], V1RPT was significantly longer (61 ms [55-72 ms]) than left precordial leads RPT (V2:25 ms [22-30 ms]; V3:25 ms [22-29 ms]; V4:24 ms [21-29 ms]; V5:25 ms [22-29 ms]; V6:25 ms [22-29 ms]) and when compared to normal dogs (P < 0.001). In LBBB, MEA was 76° [70/81°], RPT in left precordial leads was significantly longer (V2:49 ms [34-58 ms]; V3:49 ms [43-57 ms]; V4:52 ms [45-62 ms]; V5:53 ms [45-63 ms]; V6:55 ms [45-63 ms]) than V1RPT (17 ms [15-20 ms]) and when compared to normal dogs (P < 0.001). V1RPT > 28 ms and V5RPT > 36 ms were found to predict the presence of RBBB and LBBB with a sensitivity of 100% and 96.7%, and a specificity of 96.7% and 99.5%, respectively. The IDI was 23% [16-29%] in normal dogs and significantly greater in dogs with RBBB (33% [30-38%]; P < 0.001) and LBBB (32% [23-41%]; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: This study defines ECG features and RPT in dogs with BBB. Electrical interventricular dyssynchrony can be defined using IDI in dogs with BBB.

Limiting total mixed ration availability alters eating and rumination patterns of lactating dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of restricting total mixed ration (TMR) eating time with or without supplemental long hay offered on diurnal total intake, rumination, and rumen pH patterns in mid-lactation dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design study with 21-d periods. The basal diet was the same for all 4 treatments with or without additional long grass hay (the same hay used in the TMR). For cows on limited-time TMR, diets were taken away at 1500 h (5 h before evening milking and feeding), and dry matter intake (DMI), ruminating, and rumen pH were monitored and summarized every 10 m for 7 d in each period. With restricted feeding, cows changed DMI patterns by consuming a large meal after feed was reinstated, resulting in lower DMI. Ruminating patterns closely mirrored intake patterns, as could be expected. Rumen pH was not different between groups but resulted in different diurnal patterns due to differences in eating and rumination patterns between the groups. Limiting feed availability can be used to change eating and rumination patterns, resulting in different rumen pH patterns.

Calving difficulty influences rumination time and inflammatory profile in Holstein dairy cows.

Difficult calving may adversely affect dairy cow health and performance. Maternal:fetal disproportion is a major cause of dystocia. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the effects of dam:calf body weight ratio (D:C) on calving difficulty, rumination time, lying time, and inflammatory profile in 25 Holstein dairy cows. Using automatic monitoring systems, we monitored behavior and production in 9 primiparous and 16 pluriparous cows between dry-off and 30 d in milk. During the same period, we collected blood samples to monitor metabolism and inflammatory profile of these cows. Calvings were video recorded to assess calving difficulty and observe the duration of the expulsive stage. After parturition, the cows were separated into 3 classes according to their D:C: easy (E; D:C >17), medium (M; 14 < D:C <17), and difficult (D; D:C <14). The cows in class D showed relatively longer labor durations (108 min vs. 54 and 51 min for classes D, M, and E, respectively) and higher calving assistance rates (50% vs. 0 and 11% of calvings for classes D, M, and E, respectively) than those in the other 2 classes. Compared with the cows in classes M and E, those in class D exhibited shorter rumination times on the day of calving (176 min/d vs. 288 and 354 min/d for classes D, M, and E, respectively) and during the first week of lactation (312 min/d vs. 339 and 434 min/d for classes D, M, and E, respectively) and maintained lower rumination values until 30 DIM (399 min/d vs. 451 and 499 min/d for classes D, M, and E, respectively). Primiparous class D cows had shorter resting times during the first week after calving compared with those in class M (8 vs. 11 h/d for classes D and M, respectively). Interclass differences were found in terms of the levels of inflammation markers such as acute-phase proteins (ceruloplasmin, albumin, retinol, and paraoxonase). Moreover, cows in class D had lower plasma levels of fructosamine and creatinine after calving. Low D:C reduced postcalving rumination time and increased inflammation grade, suggesting a lower welfare of these animals at the onset of lactation. The D:C might serve as a useful index for the identification of cows at relatively higher risk of metabolic and inflammatory disease, thus helping farmers and veterinarians improve the welfare and health of these cows.

Short communication: Characterization of molasses chemical composition.

Beet and cane molasses are produced worldwide as a by-product of sugar extraction and are widely used in animal nutrition. Due to their composition, they are fed to ruminants as an energy source. However, molasses has not been properly characterized in the literature; its description has been limited to the type (sugarcane or beet) or to the amount of dry matter (DM), total or water-soluble sugars, crude protein, and ash. Our objective was to better characterize the composition of cane and beet molasses, examine possible differences, and obtain a proper definition of such feeds. For this purpose, 16 cane and 16 beet molasses samples were sourced worldwide and analyzed for chemical composition. The chemical analysis used in this trial characterized 97.4 and 98.3% of the compounds in the DM of cane and beet molasses, respectively. Cane molasses contained less DM compared with beet molasses (76.8 ± 1.02 vs. 78.3 ± 1.61%) as well as crude protein content (6.7 ± 1.8 vs. 13.5 ± 1.4% of DM), with a minimum value of 2.2% of DM in cane molasses and a maximum of 15.6% of DM in beet molasses. The amount of sucrose differed between beet and cane molasses (60.9 ± 4.4 vs. 48.8 ± 6.4% of DM), but variability was high even within cane molasses (39.2-67.3% of DM) and beet molasses. Glucose and fructose were detected in cane molasses (5.3 ± 2.7 and 8.1 ± 2.8% of DM, respectively), showing high variability. Organic acid composition differed as well. Lactic acid was more concentrated in cane molasses than in beet molasses (6.1 ± 2.8 vs. 4.5 ± 1.8% of DM), varying from 1.6 to 12.8% of DM in cane molasses. Dietary cation-anion difference showed numerical differences among cane and beet molasses (7 ± 53 vs. 66 ± 45 mEq/100 g of DM, on average). It varied from -76 to +155 mEq/100 g of DM in the cane group and from +0 to +162 mEq/100 g of DM in the beet group. Data obtained in this study detailed differences in composition between sources of molasses and suggested that a more complete characterization could improve the use of molasses in ration formulation.

Retinal sensitivity and photoreceptor arrangement changes secondary to congenital simple hamartoma of retinal pigment epithelium.

BACKGROUND: The congenital simple hamartoma of the retinal pigment epithelium is a benign lesion and previous observations with noninvasive imaging have detected potential photoreceptor abnormalities and retinal function interplay. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old woman was found to have an asymptomatic, solitary, circumscribed, pigmented lesion in her left eye. The patient underwent ophthalmic examination including multimodal evaluation with fluorescein angiography, near-infrared reflectance scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, blue autofluorescence, enhanced-depth imaging spectralis B-scan optical coherence tomography (EDI-SBOCT), en face OCT angiography (OCT-A) and microperimetry plus adaptive optics imaging. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed a juxtafoveolar pigmented lesion with feeding retinal arteriole, consistent with congenital simple hamartoma of RPE. There was no macular edema, exudation, hemorrhage, traction or subretinal fluid. Multimodal imaging of the mass using fluorescein angiography revealed intra-lesion late staining, near-infrared reflectance imaging demonstrated intrinsic hyperreflectivity, short-wavelength autofluorescence and red-free filter photography revealed blocked signal, and SBOCT showed abrupt shadowing. On OCT-A, an exclusive ring-shaped vascular circuit with increased foveal avascular zone was noted. Adaptive optics revealed cell density arrangement and retinal sensitivity correlations on microperimetry. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that this hamartomatous lesion might cause specific cellular changes that impact retinal sensitivity response and potentially result from vasculature malnourishment to the outer retinal layers.

Effects of ad libitum or restricted access to total mixed ration with supplemental long hay on production, intake, and rumination.

Limiting feeding time has been a concept used in growing and nonlactating ruminant animals with good success, especially in improving feed efficiency while maintaining normal rumen function and fiber digestibility. This study evaluated the physiological and productive responses of cows fed a total mixed ration (TMR) available for 24 or 19 h/d with or without access to additional long hay. Eight multiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Rations were formulated to mimic a TMR used in the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese production area of Italy, consisting of all dry and nonfermented components. Intakes were reduced by 2.49 kg/d in cows with restricted TMR access and 1.16 kg/d without supplemental hay. Rumen characteristics were similar for all groups with improvements in energy-corrected milk. The results show that once cows adapted to diet changes, few differences were observed when offering TMR continuously or with limited access. Energy-corrected milk feed efficiency was improved in cows having access to feed 19 versus 24 h/d. In addition, the presence of long hay during the TMR restriction offered the optimal conditions for ruminal function and pH stability, yet no effects were observed on body weight change. A Latin square with 21-d periods could have a carry-over effect on energy storage, and mobilization of fat reserves might be able to mask negative energy balance during restriction. Restricted feeding could be used as a strategy to manage feed availability according to cow production and metabolic condition, to maximize the use of nutrient resources, reducing the cost of milk production and improving the cows' welfare and health.

Formation of nitrotyrosine by methylene blue photosensitized oxidation of tyrosine in the presence of nitrite.

Methylene blue photosensitized oxidation of tyrosine in the presence of nitrite produces 3-nitrotyrosine, with maximum yield at pH 6. The formation of 3-nitrotyrosine requires oxygen and increases using deuterium oxide as solvent, suggesting the involvement of singlet oxygen in the reaction. The detection of dityrosine as an additional reaction product suggests that the first step in the interaction of tyrosine with singlet oxygen generates tyrosyl radicals which can dimerize to form dityrosine or react with a nitrite-derived species to produce 3-nitrotyrosine. Although the chemical identity of the nitrating species has not been established, the possible generation of nitrogen dioxide (*NO(2)) by indirect oxidation of nitrite by intermediately produced tyrosyl radical, via electron transfer, is proposed. One important implication of the results of this study is that the oxidation of tyrosine by singlet oxygen in the presence of nitrite may represent an alternative or additional pathway of 3-nitrotyrosine formation of potential importance in oxidative injures such as during inflammatory processes.

Identification of an oxidation product of aminoethylcysteine ketimine dimer.

In continuation of our previous work dedicated to the detection of the oxidation products of aminoethylcysteine ketimine dimer by oxygen reactive species, we give here data for the identification of the alpha, beta unsaturated sulfoxide as the main product of interaction of the dimer with H2O2. Identification has been done on the basis of mass spectrometry and NMR analyses of the product isolated by preparative chromatography.

Methylene blue photosensitized oxidation of cysteine sulfinic acid and other sulfinates: the involvement of singlet oxygen and the azide paradox.

The methylene blue photosensitized oxidation of cysteine sulfinic acid is investigated. Enhancement of the oxygen consumption rate in deuterium oxide suggests the involvement of singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) in oxidation. Addition of the (1)O(2) quencher azide produced an unusual enhancement of the oxidation rate of all the sulfinates assayed. It is assumed that azide works as a one-electron carrier between (1)O(2) and the sulfur compounds. Analyses of the products indicate that the photochemical oxidation of cysteine sulfinic acid proceeds through two simultaneous mechanisms. The Type II (singlet oxygen) mechanism is responsible for oxidation of the sulfinic group to the sulfonic group with production of cysteic acid, stable to the photooxidation system, whereas the Type I (electron transfer) mechanism is involved in the degradation of cysteine sulfinic acid to acetaldehyde. Other products detected were ammonia, sulfate, and hydrogen peroxide which account for the degradation of cysteine sulfinic acid and for the excess of oxygen consumption detected during the oxidative reaction.

Hypotaurine and superoxide dismutase: protection of the enzyme against inactivation by hydrogen peroxide and peroxidation to taurine.

Hypotaurine is able to prevent the inactivation of SOD by H2O2. The protection is concentration-dependent: at 20 mM hypotaurine the inactivation of SOD is completely prevented. It is likely that hypotaurine exerts this effect by reacting with hydroxyl radicals, generated during the inactivation process, in competition with the sensitive group on the active site of the enzyme. According to this, spectral studies indicate that in presence of hypotaurine the integrity of the active site of SOD is preserved by the disruptive action of H2O2. An interesting outcome of the SOD/H2O2/hypotaurine interaction is that SOD catalyzes the peroxidation of hypotaurine to taurine. Indeed, the formation of taurine increases with the reaction time and with the enzyme concentration. Although the peroxidase activity of SOD is not specific and relatively slow compared to the dismutation of superoxide, it might represent another valuable mechanism of production of taurine.

Splenectomy induced complete remission in a patient with multicentric Castleman's disease and autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare disorder of the lymphoid tissue in which the clinical manifestations often mimic a malignant lymphoma. Despite the absence of monoclonality of the lymphoid proliferation, the multicentric variant of the disease (MCD) is characterized by severe symptoms and poor prognosis. Etiologic, pathogenetic, and therapeutic aspects of MCD are still uncertain. We report the case of a 57-year-old patient affected by MCD complicated by severe immunohemolytic anemia. Whereas the clinical and laboratory response to steroids and chemotherapeutic agents was only partial, splenectomy induced a complete remission of hemolysis and disappearance of the constitutional symptoms and of all generalized lymphadenopathies.

Oxidation of hypotaurine to taurine with photochemically generated singlet oxygen: the effect of azide.

Hypotaurine is oxidized to taurine by singlet oxygen (1O2) generated with methylene blue used as a photosensitizer. The oxidation rate increases in the presence of deuterium oxide as expected for the involvement of 1O2. Addition of the 1O2 quencher azide also produced an activating effect in contrast with the expected inhibition. Azidyl radicals produced by the oxidation of azide by the horseradish peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide system stimulate the oxidation of the added hypotaurine. It is concluded that azide competes with hypotaurine for 1O2 generating the azidyl radical which is a strong one-electron oxidant transfer of the radical to hypotaurine. The hypotaurine radical is then converted into taurine, possibly through the disulfone intermediate. Formation of the sulfonic hydroperoxide is the possible intermediate in the absence of azide. The finding that the azidyl radical efficiently oxidizes hypotaurine to its metabolic product taurine raises the expectation of hypotaurine being a valuable scavenger of endogenous and exogenous radicals.

Antioxidant activity of aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer on copper-induced LDL oxidation.

Aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer (AECK-DD), a member of a family of natural cyclic sulfur-containing aminoacids, recently detected in biological samples, protects low density lipoprotein (LDL) against copper-mediated oxidation, as assessed by monitoring the kinetics of conjugated diene formation, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances production and LDL-tryptophan fluorescence quenching. Moreover, AECK-DD exerts a protective effect also against metal-independent, peroxyl radical-induced lipoprotein oxidation. It is of note that the concentrations exerting a protective effect against LDL oxidation are similar to those found in biological samples.

Detection of a decarboxylated dimer of aminoethylcysteine ketimine in bovine cerebellum.

Aminoethylcysteine ketimine is a sulfur-containing cyclic compound produced by the enzymatic alpha-deamination of the parent aminoethylcysteine that has been detected in bovine brain and cerebellum. Aminoethylcysteine ketimine is known to dimerize spontaneously and easily lose one carboxyl group. This decarboxylated compound, simply named the dimer, has been recently detected in normal human urine. In this article we provide evidence on the occurrence of the dimer in the bovine cerebellum.

Antioxidant properties of the decarboxylated dimer of aminoethylcysteine ketimine: assessment of its ability to scavenge peroxynitrite.

The natural sulfur compound aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer (AECK dimer) has been investigated for its ability to act as peroxynitrite scavenger. It has been found that the product efficiently protects against the nitration of tyrosine and the inactivation of alpha1-antiproteinase by peroxynitrite. The tyrosine nitration can be completely prevented by 100 microM AECK dimer which appears as effective as the antioxidants glutathione and N-acetylcysteine. The AECK dimer was also found to limit surface charge alteration of low density lipoprotein induced by peroxynitrite. These findings indicate that the AECK dimer is a strong protective agent against peroxynitrite damage and that it could play an important role in the defence against oxidative stress in human diseases.