Randomized clinical trial evaluating the effects of administering acidogenic boluses at dry-off on udder health, milk yield, and herd removal.

Acidogenic boluses can mitigate potential negative effects of high milk yield at dry-off on udder health. This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effect of administering acidogenic boluses at dry-off on dry period IMI dynamics and on milk production parameters, somatic cell count linear score (LSCC), clinical mastitis (CM), and herd removal in the next lactation. A total of 901 cows from 3 dairy farms were randomly allocated to a control (CON, n = 458; no administration of acidogenic boluses at dry-off) or treatment group (TRT, n = 443; administration of 2 acidogenic boluses at dry-off). Quarter milk samples were collected at dry-off and after calving and submitted for bacteriological milk culture. The effects of treatment on the presence of quarter-level postpartum IMI, cure of existing IMI, and acquisition of new IMI, and on the prevalence of cow-level high LSCC (LSCC ≥4) in the first 30 d in milk (DIM) were analyzed using mixed effects logistic regression. Mixed linear regression was used to analyze cow-level milk production parameters (i.e., milk yield, fat corrected milk, fat and protein yield, and LSCC) in the first 90 DIM and until 300 DIM. For CM and herd removal, Cox proportional hazard regression models were used. In addition to treatment group, lactation group at dry-off, presence of high LSCC in the last test-day, average milk yield in the week before dry-off, presence of CM in the lactation of enrollment, and biologically relevant interactions were offered in all models. There was no evidence of a difference in IMI dynamics or in milk, fat corrected milk, protein or fat yields in the subsequent lactation between groups. The TRT group had a lower LSCC in the first 2 mo postpartum compared with the CON group (2.58 ± 0.3 vs. 2.92 ± 0.3 and 2.42 ± 0.3 vs. 2.81 ± 0.3, for first and second month postpartum). The prevalence of high LSCC in the first 30 DIM was 9.1% lower in the TRT compared with the CON group (16.3% vs. 25.5%; risk difference: -9.2; 95% CI: -15.8, -2.5). Cows in the TRT group exhibited reduced hazards of CM in the subsequent lactation compared with cows in the CON group (HR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.63, 0.89) as well as a reduced hazard of herd removal (HR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.88). The administration of acidogenic boluses as a component of dry-off management is a promising approach to maintain good udder health and reduce the hazard of CM and herd removal during the subsequent lactation.

A randomized clinical trial evaluating the effects of administration of acidogenic boluses at dry-off on rumination and activity behavior in the 14 subsequent days.

Elevated milk production at dry-off can lead to increased udder pressure and, in turn, increased stress due to pain and discomfort, affecting natural behaviors. Administering acidogenic boluses at dry-off acts by inducing temporary and mild decreases in blood pH. This decreases dry matter intake, reduces milk yield, and increases cow comfort by lessening udder pressure. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of oral administration of acidogenic boluses at dry-off on total daily activity (TDA) and total daily rumination (TDR) behaviors in the first 2 wk of the dry period. This randomized clinical trial was conducted on a single farm and cows were randomly assigned to either treatment (TRT; n = 30) or control (CON; n = 34). The TRT group received 2 acidogenic boluses at dry-off and the CON group received no intervention. All cows received dry-cow therapy (intramammary antibiotic and internal teat sealant). The TDA and TDR data from 7 d before to 14 d after dry-off were measured using ear-mounted activity monitors. Analyses were performed using linear mixed-effects models with repeated measures. We observed a similar TDA in both groups throughout the study follow-up period. Overall, cows in the TRT group spent 17 min/d less time active than cows in the CON group in the first 2 wk after dry-off with the greatest difference observed on the second day of the dry period (TRT = 395 min/d; 95% CI: 370 to 420 vs. CON = 428 min/d; 95% CI: 404 to 451). The TRT group had lower TDR in the first 24 h after bolus administration (TRT = 437 min/d; 95% CI: 414 to 461 vs. CON = 488 min/d; 95% CI: 466 to 510) when compared with the CON group, but no differences were observed when comparing both groups in the 13 subsequent days. Our results indicate that administering acidogenic boluses at dry-off slightly decreased TDA during the first 2 wk of the dry period and decreased TDR on the first day after administration.

An iterative approach to the development of a sole ulcer induction model in Holstein cows.

Our objective was to develop a sole ulcer (SU) induction model that can be used to investigate new and more efficacious methods for the treatment and prevention of SU. Three iterations [phase (P)1, P2, and P3] of an SU induction model designed to mimic mechanical and presumed metabolic pathways for SU development were conducted. The results from P1 and P2 identified alterations for the subsequent phase. Each phase used cows with similar calving dates that were randomly assigned (n = 4) to treatments. Control cows (P1CON, P3CON) did not undergo any challenges to induce SU development. Treatment cows were challenged with a hoof block (B) applied to the right hind lateral hoof. Other treatments included restricted lying time (L), restricted feed intake (F), or systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Treatment comparisons were P1CON versus P1BL, P2B versus P2BL, and P3CON versus P3BLF and P3BLF+LPS for P1, P2, and P3, respectively. Pregnant nulliparous Holstein cows were used in P1 and P3, and the P1 cohort was used in P2 during mid-lactation [125.9 ± 7.20 d in milk (DIM)]. Challenges were applied during a set challenge period (P1: -14 to 14 DIM, P2: 126-168 DIM, P3: -14 to 28 DIM). The P1BL cows had a hoof block applied and lying time restricted for 5 h/d. The P2B and P2BL cows had a hoof block and P2BL cows also had their lying time restricted for 18 h/d for 2 d/wk. The P3BLF and P3BLF+LPS cows had a hoof block, 6 h/d of lying time restricted 2 d/wk, and had their DMI restricted by 30% for 2 d/wk. At weekly intervals during wk 1 to 3 postpartum, P3BLF+LPS cows received jugular administration of 0.031, 0.062, and 0.125 µg of LPS per kg of body weight, respectively. Primary response measurements included hoof lesion and locomotion scoring, lying time, hoof thermography, and weight distribution per hoof. No SU induction occurred but sole hemorrhages, a precursor to SU, occurred during the postchallenge period of all phases. Temperature of the blocked hoof at the end of the challenge period did not change for P3CON cows but increased by 5.5°C and 6.2°C for P3BLF and P3BLF+LPS, respectively. Notable increases in lameness and lack of weight-bearing on the blocked hind hoof occurred for challenge treatment cows during the challenge period of P2 and P3. These changes did not persist after the hoof blocks were removed, indicating that hoof blocks succeeded in altering cow gait mechanics, but not enough to induce long-term lameness or SU. Lying restriction challenged cows in P2 and P3, indicated by a compensatory increase in lying time on the day following lying restriction compared with that on the day before restriction. In P3, lying time had the greatest depression during restriction and compensation following restriction in P3BLF+LPS cows, with LPS challenges potentially increasing the other challenge's effects. Future iterations of the SU induction model should include hoof block use, evaluate longer and more frequent standing and inclusion of forced walking bouts, and include DMI and LPS metabolic challenges.

Effects of multimodal pain management strategies on acute physiological and behavioral response to cautery disbudding in neonatal goat kids.

Dairy goat kids are commonly disbudded in the United States without pain relief. Our objective was to identify an efficient pain management strategy by monitoring changes in plasma biomarkers and behavior of disbudded goat kids. A total of 42 kids (5-18 d old at the time of disbudding) were randomly allocated to 1 of 7 treatments (n = 6/treatment): sham treatment; 0.05 mg/kg i.m. xylazine (X); 4 mg/kg subcutaneous buffered lidocaine (L); 1 mg/kg oral meloxicam (M); xylazine and lidocaine (XL); xylazine and meloxicam (XM); and xylazine, meloxicam, and lidocaine together (XML). Treatments were administered 20 min before disbudding. One trained individual, blinded to treatment, disbudded all kids; sham-treated kids were handled similarly except the iron was cold. Jugular blood samples (3 mL) were obtained before (-20, -10, and -1 min) and after (1, 15, and 30 min, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 h) disbudding and analyzed for cortisol and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) testing was performed at 4, 12, 24, and 48 h after disbudding, and kids were weighed daily until 2 d post-disbudding. Vocalizations, tail flicks, and struggle behavior during disbudding were recorded. Cameras were mounted over home pens; continuous and scan observations over 12 periods of 10 min each, in the 48 h after disbudding, captured frequency of locomotion and pain-specific behaviors. Repeated measures and linear mixed models assessed treatment effects on outcome measures during and after disbudding. Models accounted for sex, breed, and age as random effects, and Bonferroni adjustments accounted for multiple comparisons. At 15 min after disbudding, XML kids had lower plasma cortisol concentrations compared with L (50.0 ± 13.2 vs. 132.8 ± 13.6 mmol/L) and M kids (50.0 ± 13.2 vs. 145.4 ± 15.7 mmol/L). Cortisol was also lower in XML kids over the first hour after disbudding compared with L kids (43.4 ± 9 vs. 80.2 ± 9 mmol/L). Change from baseline PGE2 was not affected by treatment. Behaviors observed during disbudding did not differ by treatment group. Treatment affected MNT such that M kids were more sensitive overall compared with sham kids (0.93 ± 0.11 kgf vs. 1.35 ± 0.12 kgf). None of the recorded post-disbudding behaviors were affected by treatment, but study activities did influence behavior over time, with kid activity levels declining in the first day after disbudding but largely recovering thereafter. We conclude that none of the drug combinations investigated here appeared to fully attenuate pain indicators during or after disbudding, but triple modality seems to have offered partial relief compared with some of the single-modality treatments.

The effect of individual versus pair housing of dairy heifer calves during the preweaning period on measures of health, performance, and behavior up to 16 weeks of age.

Pair housing of dairy heifer calves during the preweaning period helps meet the natural social needs of the calf and has been shown to improve growth and starter intake during the preweaning period as compared with individual housing. However, there is little evidence to suggest that pair-housed calves maintain their social and growth advantages past the weaning phase. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of pair housing on measures of calf performance, health, and behavior up to 16 wk of age. Healthy Holstein and crossbred heifer calves were enrolled in the study after colostrum feeding, with the first calf randomly assigned to 1 of 2 housing treatments: pair (PR; 2 hutches with common outdoor space) or individual (INDV; 1 hutch plus outdoor space). All calves were bucket fed 4 L of milk replacer twice daily and weaned at 50 d of age. Weaned calves (6/group) remained with their treatment group until exit from the study at 16 wk. A venous blood sample was collected from each calf between 24 h and 7 d of age to test for serum total protein (g/dL). Body weights (kg) were obtained at birth, weaning, and 16 wk. Each enrolled calf was scored for health each week and calf health treatments were also collected. A hair sample was collected from the left shoulder at birth and 16 wk to assess hair cortisol (pg/mL). At enrollment, each calf was fitted with a triaxial accelerometer on the left hind leg for continuous recording of standing and lying time (min/24 h) for 16 wk. Latency to find feed, water, and lie down (min) at entrance to the weaned pen were recorded by continuous video observation. Open field testing with a novel object was performed at 5, 10, and 16 wk. Behaviors analyzed by video observation included latency to approach the object (s), vocalizations (n), and time spent immobile, walking, or running (s/10 min). Linear mixed models were used to determine the effect of treatment (INDV or PR) on calf growth, activity, and behavioral outcomes, which accounted for time, breed, the interaction of time and treatment, the random pen, and variability in testing day and repeated measurements within calf when appropriate. Twenty-four Holstein and crossbred calves (PR: n = 12, 6 pairs; INDV: n = 12) were enrolled from November 2 to December 23, 2018. The PR calves were 7.1 kg heavier at weaning and gained 0.15 kg/d more during the preweaning period as compared with INDV calves. In the 24 h after movement to the postweaning pen, PR calves lay down for longer periods of time (14.3 vs. 11.0 ± 0.4 h/d), and PR calves urinated more during novel object testing at 5 wk of age. Our study demonstrated benefits, such as better growth and increased lying time, of pair housing calves during the preweaning period.

Evaluation of applying statistical process control techniques to daily average feeding behaviors to detect disease in automatically fed group-housed preweaned dairy calves.

Group housing and computerized feeding of preweaned dairy calves are gaining in popularity among dairy producers, yet disease detection remains a challenge for this management system. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of statistical process control charting techniques to daily average feeding behavior to predict and detect illness and to describe the diagnostic test characteristics of using this technique to find a sick calf compared with detection by calf personnel. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 10 farms in Minnesota (n = 4) and Virginia (n = 6) utilizing group housing and computerized feeding from February until October 2014. Calves were enrolled upon entrance to the group pen. Calf personnel recorded morbidity and mortality events. Farms were visited either every week (MN) or every other week (VA) to collect calf enrollment data, computer-derived feeding behavior data, and calf personnel-recorded calf morbidity and mortality. Standardized self-starting cumulative sum (CUSUM) charts were generated for each calf for each daily average feeding behavior, including drinking speed (mL/min), milk consumption (L/d), and visits to the feeder without a milk meal (no.). A testing subset of 352 calves (176 treated, 176 healthy) was first used to find CUSUM chart parameters that provided the highest diagnostic test sensitivity and best signal timing, which were then applied to all calves (n = 1,052). Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the diagnostic test characteristics of a single negative mean CUSUM chart signal to detect a sick calf for a single feeding behavior. Combinations of feeding behavior signals were also explored. Single signals and combinations of signals that included drinking speed provided the most sensitive and timely signal, finding a sick calf up to an average (±SE) of 3.1 ± 8.8 d before calf personnel. However, there was no clear advantage to using CUSUM charting over calf observation for any one feeding behavior or combination of feeding behaviors when predictive values were considered. The results of this study suggest that, for the feeding behaviors monitored, the use of CUSUM control charts does not provide sufficient sensitivity or predictive values to detect a sick calf in a timely manner compared with calf personnel. This approach to examining daily average feeding behaviors cannot take the place of careful daily observation.

Randomized clinical trial of the effect of a fixed or increasing milk allowance in the first 2 weeks of life on health and performance of dairy calves.

The objective of this study was to describe the effect of offering a fixed or increasing milk allowance in the first 1 to 2 wk of life. We hypothesized that calves offered a fixed amount of milk early in life would not experience more scours, but rather would experience improved health and growth compared with calves that had their daily milk allowance slowly increased over a period of 1 to 2 wk. This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 5 dairy farms in Minnesota with both a summer (June-August 2016) and winter (December-February 2017) period of enrollment. Heifer calves were enrolled at birth, weighed, and systematically assigned by birth order to either the slowly increasing (INC) control group or fixed allowance (FIX) treatment group by farm personnel. Calves assigned to the INC group were slowly increased from 4 to 5 L/d to gradually reach the full peak milk allowance of 6 to 8 L/d over a 7- to 14-d period, whereas calves assigned to the FIX group were offered a full peak milk allowance of 6 to 8 L/d beginning on d 1 after birth. The average FIX calf consumed an extra 14 L of milk as compared with INC calves over the first 2 wk of life, corresponding to an average INC intake of 5 L/d during first 1 to 2 wk of life as compared with an average intake of 6.8 L/d in FIX calves. Study technicians visited all farms weekly to collect health and performance data. Multivariable mixed models were used to describe the effect of treatment (INC/FIX) on 3-wk average daily gain (kg/d), 3-wk weight (kg), and hip height at wk 1, 3, and 7, controlling for the effect of season, birth weight, and the random effect of calf within farm. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to describe the effect of treatment on odds of technician and producer reported health events. A total of 1,264 heifer calves were enrolled (FIX n = 641; INC n = 623) with no difference in enrollment weight or hip height between groups. By 3 wk of age, FIX calves weighed 1.4 (0.59) kg more than INC calves, though the magnitude of this difference varied depending on the period of time INC calves were slowly increased in milk allowance (7 vs. 10 vs. 14 d). Calves in the FIX group grew 0.1 kg/d faster and were taller at wk 3 (0.3 ± 0.15 cm) of life. Forty-two percent (536/1,264) of all enrolled calves had a first treatment event, with no effect of treatment on technician-reported health scores and no overall effect on producer-reported treatment or mortality events. Under the conditions of this study, offering a fixed milk allowance from d 1 of life improved calf growth during the first 3 wk as compared with a gradual increase in milk allowance, with no detrimental effect on calf health.

The association between daily average feeding behaviors and morbidity in automatically fed group-housed preweaned dairy calves.

Group housing and computerized feeding of preweaned dairy calves is gaining popularity among dairy producers worldwide, yet disease incidence and detection remain a challenge in these systems. The aim of this prospective observational cohort study was to describe the relationship between morbidity and feeding behavior around the period of illness detection. Calves were enrolled upon entrance to the group pen on 10 farms in Minnesota (n = 4) and Virginia (n = 6) utilizing group housing and computerized feeding from February until October 2014. Morbidity and mortality events were recorded by the calf caregiver. Farms were visited either every week (Minnesota) or every other week (Virginia) to collect calf enrollment data, feeding behavior data, and health records. Daily average feeding behaviors (drinking speed, mL/min; daily consumption, L/d; rewarded visits to the feeder; and unrewarded visits to the feeder) were described both overall and for sick and healthy calf days. Multivariable mixed models were built to assess the differences in daily average feeding behaviors (drinking speed, daily consumption, rewarded visits, unrewarded visits) between matched sick and healthy calves around the time of an illness event (-10 to 10 d). Final models were controlled for calf age, region (Minnesota and Virginia), group size, disease diagnosis, the random effect of farm, and repeated measurements on calf. A stratified analysis was performed by both day from treatment event and disease diagnosis. We enrolled 1,052 calves representing 43,607 calf days over 9 mo. From these, 176 sick calves had a matched control and were carried forward to the matched pair analysis. Fifty-five percent of sick calves (97/176) were treated for diarrhea, 30% (53/176) were treated for pneumonia, and 15% (26/176) were treated for ill thrift. Sick calves drank 183 ± 27 mL/min (mean ± standard error) more slowly, drank 1.2 ± 0.6 L/d less, and had 3.1 ± 0.7 fewer unrewarded visits than control calves on the first day of treatment. These differences began up to 4 d before the calf was detected as sick, and persisted for 7 to 10 d after treatment. However, changes in feeding behaviors varied by disease diagnosed. Rewarded visits were not associated with morbidity status. The results of this study indicate that sick calves change their feeding behavior before and during an illness event, suggesting that feeding behavior may be a useful tool to detect disease onset.

Technical note: Preliminary evaluation of an automated indwelling rumen temperature bolus measurement system to detect pyrexia in preweaned dairy calves.

Indwelling rumen temperature bolus (RTB) systems have the potential to offer a convenient and timely method of detecting pyrexia, indicative of active infectious disease. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the utility of using RTB systems in preweaned dairy calves. First, an in vitro study was performed to evaluate the accuracy of the RTB in its immediate environment. Thirteen RTB were immersed in a hot water bath (WB). Variably collected RTB temperatures were then matched to WB temperatures, which varied from 36 to 41°C, with 1h spent at each temperature. Second, an in vivo study was performed to evaluate the ability of the RTB to predict a rectal thermometer (RT) temperature. Ten healthy heifer calves less than 1wk of age were administered an RTB. Rectal thermometer and matched RTB temperatures were taken hourly, over a 6-h period, 1 day per week during wk 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 of age. During each 6-h observation period, calves were offered both water and milk feedings and temperatures recorded every 15min for 1h thereafter. For both studies, the relationship between RTB and one of WB (in vitro) or RT temperature (in vivo) was described by calculating a concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and by use of a multivariable linear regression model with repeated measures. For the in vivo study, the model also controlled for week and breed. Diagnostic test characteristics were calculated for the ability of individual RTB measures to detect pyrexia (RT ≥39.5°C). For the in vitro study, the association between the RTB and a known temperature was strong (CCC=0.95), but the RTB measures underestimated the temperature of the water bath by 0.43±0.08°C. For the in vivo study, the association between RT and the RTB temperature measurement in a calf was weaker (CCC=0.29); the average RTB temperature was 0.33±0.06°C lower than the RT temperature. The sensitivity (29%) and positive predictive value (17%) of using individual RTB measures to detect a fever was low. The results of this pilot study suggest that an individual RTB measurement may not be a good diagnostic test to detect pyrexia in calves.

Randomized noninferiority study evaluating the efficacy of a postmilking teat disinfectant for the prevention of naturally occurring intramammary infections.

The objective of this study was to complete a positive-control, natural exposure, noninferiority design field study to test the efficacy of a novel glycolic acid-based postmilking teat disinfectant as compared with a previously proven iodine-based postmilking teat disinfectant (positive control). The primary outcome of interest was the effect of treatment on incidence of new intramammary infections. Secondary outcomes included the effect of treatment on prevalence of infection, somatic cell count, and teat condition. After blocking by parity, approximately 300 early- to mid-lactation cows on a large Wisconsin dairy farm were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. For a 12-wk period between May and August 2014, the 2 groups were dipped after each milking with either the experimental (EX) or positive control (PC) product. Individual quarters were sampled to establish bacteriological infection status at the beginning of the study, and every 2 wk thereafter, by use of a 2-stage process evaluating somatic cell count (SCC), and then culturing milk samples only when SCC exceeded a parity-specific threshold. Teat condition scoring was completed at the beginning of the study and on wk 4, 8, and 12. Mixed logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of treatment on dichotomous outcome measures including the odds of acquiring a new infection during a given 2-wk sampling interval (incidence), the odds for presence of infection at sampling (prevalence), and odds for a normal teat skin condition score. Mixed linear regression was used to evaluate the effect of treatment on somatic cell count. For the noninferiority analysis, the upper bound of the 95% confidence interval for the difference in new infection rate between the 2 treatments (EX - PC), had to be to the left of the critical value d (0.035) to conclude that EX was noninferior relative to PC with respect to risk for new infections. Results showed that the incidence of new infections was not different for quarters dipped with EX (3.2%) as compared with PC (4.2%). Similarly, the prevalence of infection tended to be lower for quarters dipped with EX (3.92%) as compared with PC (5.03%). No overall difference was found between treatments when evaluating somatic cell count measures and teat condition scores. Because the upper bound of the 95% confidence interval of the new IMI rate difference was smaller than the predefined noninferiority limit, it was concluded that the experimental product was not inferior compared with the positive control. As such, the glycolic acid-based teat disinfectant evaluated in this study can be considered an effective postmilking teat disinfectant, as well as safe, in so far as the product was not irritating to teat skin and did not negatively affect skin condition measures, as compared with the positive control group.

Heat and ultraviolet light treatment of colostrum and hospital milk: effects on colostrum and hospital milk characteristics and calf health and growth parameters.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different physical treatments of bovine colostrum and hospital milk on milk bacteriology, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and lactoferrin concentrations, calf serum IgG concentrations and calf health, growth and survivability. Pooled colostrum samples (n=297) were heat treated (HTC; 63°C for 60 min), exposed to ultraviolet light (UVC; 45 J/cm(2)) or untreated ('raw', RC). Hospital milk (n=712) was subjected to high temperature short time pasteurization (HTST; 72°C for 15s), ultraviolet light irradiation (UVH; 45 J/cm(2)) or was untreated. Neonatal Holstein heifer calves (n=875) were randomly enrolled (309 HTC, 285 UVC, 281 RC) and block randomized (by colostrum treatment) into hospital milk treatments HTST (n=449) or UVH (n=426). HTC was more effective than UVC and HTST was more effective than UVH in reducing bacterial counts. IgG and lactoferrin concentrations were significantly lower in HTC and UVC than in RC. Lactoferrin concentrations were significantly lower in HTST than in UVH or untreated hospital milk. There were no significant differences in serum IgG concentrations among calves fed HTC, UVC or RC. Colostrum and hospital milk treatments did not have any significant effect on calf body weight gain, survivability, or frequency of diarrhea or pneumonia.

Effect of an injectable trace mineral supplement containing selenium, copper, zinc, and manganese on the health and production of lactating Holstein cows.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a subcutaneous injection of a multimineral preparation containing 300 mg of zinc, 50mg of manganese, 25mg of selenium, and 75 mg of copper at 230 and 260 days of gestation and 35 days postpartum, on the health, milk production and reproductive performance of lactating Holstein cows. A randomized field trial was conducted on three large commercial dairy farms located near Ithaca, New York, USA, with 1416 cows enrolled. All cows were housed and offered a total mixed ration consisting of approximately 55% forage and 45% concentrate on a dry matter basis of the diet, which supplied 2-6 times the NRC requirements for the supplemented elements. Dry cows and pregnant heifers were blocked by parity and randomly allocated to one of two treatments: Trace mineral supplemented (TMS) or control. For multiparous cows, subcutaneous TMS significantly decreased linear somatic cell count scores (normalized data) as compared to control cows. The incidence of subclinical mastitis for TMS and control cows was 10.4% and 8.0%, respectively (P=0.005). The main effect of treatment on clinical mastitis was not significant but the interaction of treatment and parity was significant. For primiparous cows, the incidence of clinical mastitis was 11.8% and 15.6% for control and TMS cows, respectively (P=0.33); for multiparous cows, the incidence of clinical mastitis for control and TMS cows was 25.4% and 19.7%, respectively (P=0.03). Additionally, control cows had increased odds of stillbirth and endometritis (odds ratios 1.69 and 1.30, respectively). The incidence of endometritis was 34.2% and 28.6% for control and TMS cows, respectively (P=0.039) but treatment had no effect on reproductive performance, milk production or other health traits. Further research is required to confirm these findings and to establish whether the response seen in this study was related to the supplementation of a particular mineral.

Investigation of postpartum dairy cows' uterine microbial diversity using metagenomic pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.

The objective of this study was the use of metagenomic pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for the investigation of postpartum dairy cows' uterine bacterial diversity. The effect of subcutaneous supplementation of a trace mineral supplement containing Zn, Mn, Se, and Cu (Multimin North America, Inc., Fort Collins, CO) at 230 days of gestation and 260 days of gestation on dairy cows' uterine microbiota was also evaluated. Uterine lavage samples were collected at 35 DIM and were visually scored for the presence of purulent or mucopurulent secretion. The same samples were also used for the acquisition of bacterial DNA. The 16S rRNA genes were individually amplified from each sample. Pyrosequencing of the samples was carried at the Cornell University Life Sciences Core Laboratories Center using Roche 454 GS-FLX System Titanium Chemistry. The Ribosomal Database Project online tools were used for the analysis of the obtained sequences library. Bacteroides spp., Ureaplasma spp., Fusobacterium spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., Sneathia spp., Prevotella spp. and Arcanobacterium spp. prevalence was significantly (P<0.05) higher in samples derived from cows that had a higher uterine lavage sample score. Bacteroides spp., Ureaplasma spp., Fusobacterium spp., and Arcanobacterium spp. prevalence was significantly (P<0.05) higher in samples derived from cows that were not pregnant by 200 DIM. Anaerococcus spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., Parabacteroides spp., and Propionibacterium spp. prevalence was significantly (P<0.05) lower in samples derived from cows that were trace mineral supplemented.

A novel diagnostic technique to determine uterine health of Holstein cows at 35 days postpartum.

The objectives were (1) to evaluate the association of uterine lavage sample optical density (ULSOD) with uterine health, and (2) to estimate and evaluate a threshold value that will maximize the accuracy of ULSOD as a diagnostic tool for clinical endometritis. The study enrolled 1,742 cows from 3 dairy farms located near Ithaca, New York. The samples were collected at 35 ± 3 d in milk (DIM) by using low-volume uterine lavage. Cows with a purulent or mucopurulent secretion in the sample were diagnosed with clinical endometritis, whereas a subgroup of all studied cows was examined for cytological evidence of inflammation by endometrial cytology. Data for ULSOD measured at different wavelengths (200, 352, 620, 790, 860, and 960 nm) were available for 554 cows; all 1,742 cows had data for ULSOD measured at 620 nm (ULSOD(620)). Incidences of clinical endometritis, metritis, and retained placenta were 10, 15.2, and 5.6%, respectively. The ULSOD(620) was associated with clinical endometritis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the accuracy of optical density in the detection of clinical endometritis was conducted for ULSOD measured at different wavelengths; ULSOD(620) was selected for further analysis because it presented the best ROC curve to detect clinical endometritis. The recommended threshold for ULSOD(620) ROC was 0.058, where the sensitivity and specificity were 76.3 and 78.3%, respectively. The ROC analysis of the accuracy of optical density in the detection of endometritis defined as a percentage of neutrophils in the uterine lavage samples higher than 18% was conducted for ULSOD(620). The recommended threshold was 0.059, where the sensitivity and specificity were 100 and 82.2%, respectively. Cows with ULSOD(620) ≤ 0.058 were 1.21 times more likely to conceive than cows with ULSOD(620) >0.058; moreover, the median calving-to-conception interval for cows that had ULSOD(620) ≤ 0.058 was 122 d compared with 148 d for cows that had ULSOD(620) >0.058. Cows that were positive for Arcanobacterium pyogenes, diagnosed with metritis, or had retained placenta had 4.0, 1.4, and 1.7 times higher odds of having ULSOD(620) >0.058, respectively. Cows with ULSOD(620) >0.058 had a higher percentage of neutrophils in the uterine lavage samples than cows with ULSOD(620) ≤ 0.058. Uterine lavage sample optical density measured at 620 nm can be used as an objective indicator of uterine health in dairy cows, principally for clinical endometritis.

Penetrating keratoplasty for herpes zoster keratopathy.

We reviewed retrospectively the records of 12 patients with herpes zoster keratopathy who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty. Preoperatively, seven patients (58%) had noninflamed eyes with visually significant corneal scarring or edema. Five patients (42%) had progressive neurotrophic corneal ulceration, and four of those had corneal perforation. Tarsorrhaphies were placed in ten patients and appeared to be beneficial in preventing postoperative breakdown of the corneal surface. At an average follow-up time of 36 months, ten of the 12 grafts (83%) remained clear, with nine patients (75%) having a visual acuity of 20/80 or better.

Flexible anterior chamber intraocular lens expulsion.

We report a case of presumed traumatic expulsion of an anterior chamber intraocular lens two weeks postoperatively. The 59-year-old patient presented complaining of foreign-body sensation; we found the intraocular lens in his superior conjunctival fornix.

[EEG controls in recurrences of supratentorial brain-specific tumors]. / EEG-Verlaufskontrollen bei Rezidiven von supratentoriellen hirneigenen Tumoren.

The purpose of this study was to find out the value of postoperative EEG controls in the early detection of recurrence of supratentorial gliomas (the majority being astrocytomas, stage II to IV). 29 cases with verified tumour recurrence were examined and in all but one the EEG showed a reactivation of the focus in accordance with the development of the glioma. At least one of the following parameters had to be established: a further spreading of the focal changes, a reduction in frequency, an increase in amplitudes and focal depression of amplitudes. At least 3 postoperative EEG controls were made in each case. The duration of tumour treatment was 3 to 59 months. In 3 cases temporary focus activation was found without evidence of tumour recurrence; in one of these cases the activation was preceded by an epileptic seizure. Epileptic seizures, thus, seem to have a focus activating effect. Focus activation as a result of radiotherapy or cytostatic treatment was not observed. On the basis of our findings it appears that regularly conducted postoperative EEG controls seem to be highly suited as a non-invasive and economical method for the early detection of recurrence of this type of tumour. In the case of malignant types of gliomas involving rapid growth EEG controls should be made monthly.

High altitude corneal endothelial decompensation.

A 77-year-old patient with low endothelial cell counts sustained acute unilateral endothelial decompensation when he traveled to an elevation of 12,500 feet. The corneal edema gradually increased after his return to sea level, and penetrating keratoplasty was required to restore vision. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of hypoxia-induced corneal endothelial decompensation.