A comparison of the effect of short-acting and long-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy on somatic cell counts after calving in cows also given internal teat sealants

AIM: To compare, in cows treated with an internal teat sealant, the effect of short-acting and long-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy on somatic cell counts (SCC) after calving.

METHODS: Cows from a spring-calving, pasture-based dairy farm in the Manawatu-Whanganui region of New Zealand were randomly allocated to receive either a short-acting cloxacillin and ampicillin dry-cow therapy and internal teat sealant (n=291) or a long-acting cloxacillin and ampicillin dry-cow therapy and internal teat sealant (n=288) at the end of lactation. Cows were managed on-farm with routine husbandry procedures through the dry period and following calving. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the association between length of action of dry-cow therapy and the proportion of cows with a SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test after calving.

RESULTS: Age of cow, mean SCC for the preceding season and interval from calving to the first post-calving herd test were all associated with the proportion of cows with an individual SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test (p<0.001) Treatment with the short-acting dry-cow therapy was not associated with decreased odds of cows having a SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test compared with treatment with long-acting dry-cow therapy (OR=0.724; 95% CI=0.40–1.30).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this herd, which routinely used internal teat sealants, the use of short-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy did not result in an increased proportion of cows with elevated SSC post-calving. This was a single farm, single year study but indicates that in this herd, changing from a long-acting to a short-acting antimicrobial may have no impact on the prevalence of subclinical mastitis.     

Repeat patient testing shows promise as a quality control method for veterinary hematology testing

Background

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control (RPT‐QC) is a potential method for veterinary laboratories (eg, that have a limited budget for quality commercial control material [QCM] or that wish to use material with a species‐specific matrix).

Objectives

To determine whether total error (TE_a), probability of error detection (Ped), and probability of false rejection (Pfr) similar to that achievable with QC materials can be controlled using RPT‐QC

Methods

Control limits (WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, and PLT) for the Advia 120 (n = 23) and scil Vet ABC (n = 22) were calculated using data from normal canine specimens from a routine caseload. Specimens were measured at accession and again after 24 hours. Control limits were validated using 23 additional canine specimens tested similarly. Achievable TEa, Ped, and Pfr were investigated using the Westgard EZRules3 and compared to those achievable with commercial QCM.

Results

Theoretical performance of RPT‐QC and commercial QCM‐QC are similar for 1‐3s with both n = 1 and 1‐3s with n = 2 for all measurands and both instruments. Achievable TE_a values for RPT‐QC were close to ASVCP recommendations for most measurands; exceptions were PLT (both instruments) and WBC (scil Vet ABC).

Conclusions

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control advantages include a species‐specific matrix, low‐cost, and absence of QC material deterioration over time (since a fresh specimen is used each day). A potential disadvantage is daily access to normal canine specimens. A challenge is determining control limits, which has a subjective element. Further study is needed to confirm actual RPT‐QC performance and to determine if RPT‐QC with abnormal patient specimens is feasible.     

Effect of bovine seminal plasma on bovine endometrial epithelial cells in culture

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of seminal plasma (SP) from bulls of known fertility on bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEEC) in culture. The bEEC from passage 5, approximately 5.0–13 × 10⁵ cells per flask, were challenged with SP from bulls of high or low fertility (n = 3 and 2, respectively) or PBS (control), at 1% (75 μl) or 4% (300 μl) and were incubated for 72 hr (n = 13 per challenge). Total cell number and viability of bEEC after challenge with 1% SP from either high‐ or low‐fertility bulls (75H or 75L, respectively) did not differ from controls. In contrast, challenge with 4% of SP from high‐ or low‐fertility bulls (300H or 300L) negatively affected bEEC cell number and viability. Challenge with 300 L had a greater adverse effect than 300H. These results suggest that the negative effect of bovine SP on bEEC is both dose‐dependent and fertility‐dependent.     

Identification of Suspected Stem/progenitor Cells in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells Culture System

To develop the potential function of dairy cow mammary stem cells (DCMECs) in regulation of lactation,we identify putative DCMECs which were BrdU label retaining epithelial cells,at the same time,analysis the location of two new mammary stem cells molecular marks FNDC3B and PROCR to verify the feasibility of them to indicate DCMECs.The mRNA levels of prolactin,growth hormone,insulin-like growth factor-1 and their receptors were detected along with cell passage by Real-time quantitative PCR.The results showed that the proportion of BrdU label-retaining epithelial cells was nearly 0.4% after 25 d continuous culture (passaged 4 times) and few cells were positive for FNDC3B or PROCR.Moreover,we observed the BrdU labelled epithelial cells by asymmetric division.The mRNA levels of prolactin,growth hormone,insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ and their receptors in primary and passage cells were extremely significant difference(P<0.01).DCMECs would rapidly lose some physiological characteristics and the ability of milk synthesis when not under the condition of induction of lactation differentiation,but a certain percentage of mammary stem/progenitor cells will be retained,whose potential effects on the regulation of lactation and mammary acinar remodeling were worthy of attention.     

微生物燃料电池在环境监测中的研究进展

微生物燃料电池在环境监测领域有巨大的应用潜力.概述微生物燃料电池应用于环境监测的基本原理,对目前已有的微生物燃料电池型传感器为监测方法进行详细的介绍,包括微生物燃料电池用于易降解碳源、有毒污染物及微生物数量检测三方面的研究.最后探讨了微生物燃料电池传感器目前还未被广泛应用于实际水质监测的原因,以期为未来研究开发高性能微生物燃料电池传感器提供理论参考依据.     

微藻水热液化有机相最佳回收工艺研究

以微拟球藻为原料,研究微藻水热液化过程中多种参数对水热液化后有机物回收率的影响,包括温度、时间、溶剂比和pH等,从而获得微藻水热液化后有机物的最佳回收工艺条件。结果显示,在室温下进行有机相回收,保证回收溶剂比为20∶1(溶剂/水相不溶物;v/wt)、停留时间为10min、回收pH7,即可达到最佳回收效果。最佳条件下水热液化有机相的回收率为34%左右,且不同的回收温度和pH值对回收的有机相组分均会产生影响。     

植物源活性成分对有机磷农药的降解效果研究

为探索有机磷农药降解的新途径和方法,以大黄、海桐皮、木槿皮、五倍子按9:4:3:2质量份数混合,粉碎并以水浸泡,以GC-MS定量检测法、农残速测法,通过比较试验前后有机磷农药浓度变动,明确其对有机磷农药的降解效果。结果表明,2 min内浸提液对毒死蜱、对硫磷2种有机磷农药降解率分别达到93.6%、92.9%;浸提液17 h内对敌敌畏降解率为66.67%,11 h内对毒死蜱降解率为48.69%。本研究表明,大黄、海桐皮、木槿皮、五倍子浸提液对毒死蜱、对硫磷、敌敌畏等有机磷农药有显著降解效果。     

日光温室主动蓄放热冠层增温系统性能研究

【目的】设计日光温室主动蓄放热冠层增温系统(Active heat storage-release system for canopy warming,AHSCW)并进行实地试验,分析该系统对番茄冠层的增温效果,为进一步探讨主动蓄放热热能的高效应用方式和作物局部增温系统的设计提供参考。【方法】在第六代主动蓄放热系统基础上设计AHSCW,以太阳能为热源,白天通过水循环将太阳能以热能的形式收集于蓄热水池内,夜间通过冠层增温管道释放热量,对番茄冠层进行局部增温。以使用AHSCW的日光温室为试验温室,未加温的日光温室为对照温室,通过测定太阳辐射强度、番茄冠层空气温度、水温及水泵耗电量参数及不同时期番茄的株高、茎粗和产量,对系统的增温效果进行测试与分析。【结果】白天AHSCW的蓄热量为166～194 MJ,夜间放热量为129～142 MJ,能量利用效率为67%～86%;该系统能够提高番茄冠层区域气温1.4～3.0℃;AHSCW温室果实产量为1.14 kg/m~2,是对照温室(0.64 kg/m~2)的1.77倍。【结论】AHSCW可以明显提高番茄冠层气温,保证番茄的越冬生产,促进番茄生长,增加其产量并可使果实提前成熟上市。     

减氮配施生物菌剂对土壤肥力及烟叶产质量影响

为探讨生物菌剂在烤烟上的施用效果,研究了减氮配施生物菌剂对土壤肥力及烟叶产质量影响。结果表明:与常规施肥相比,减氮并配施生物菌剂处理能明显提高烟株各生育时期土壤中有机质、速效磷和速效钾含量,明显增加根际和非根际细菌和放线菌数量,烟叶产量提高172~586 kg/hm~2,产值提高8927~21357元/hm~2。烤后烟叶化学成分分析表明,与常规施肥相比,减氮并配施生物菌剂处理降低了中、上部叶总糖和还原糖含量,除处理T5(众邦)外,中部叶和上部叶烟碱含量均有明显下降,下部叶、中部叶和上部叶烟叶钾含量提高幅度为分别为0.12~0.53、0.03~0.41和0.14~0.65个百分点。不同生物菌剂间相比,以处理T4(人元)和处理T2(时科)在经济性状和烟叶化学成分协调性上表现较好。