[The lying and rumination behavior of healthy dairy cows housed in tie stalls is associated with bedding depth]. / Das Liege- und Wiederkauverhalten klinisch gesunder Milchkühe in Anbindehaltung ist assoziiert mit der Einstreutiefe.

INTRODUCTION: The lying and rumination behavior of dairy cows is internationally used as an animal welfare indicator. Dairy cow housing in Switzerland is subordinated to detailed legal requirements. It is particularly described that the lying area for cows must be covered with a sufficient amount of bedding. In the current study, we investigated whether bedding depth influences the lying and rumination behavior and thus, the animal welfare of healthy dairy cows housed in tie stalls. Bedding depth was categorized as ≤ 2 cm and > 2 cm. The lying and rumination behavior of 145 cows from 33 farms was recorded and analyzed considering farm effects; 105 cows were housed on ≤ 2 cm bedding, and 40 cows on > 2 cm bedding. Cows on > 2 cm bedding had on average a one hour longer daily lying time compared with cows on ≤ 2 cm bedding (mixed-effects linear regression: mean difference [cows on > 2 cm bedding - cows on ≤ 2 cm bedding] = 60,7 min/d; standard error = 28,6 min/d; p-value = 0,037). The odds of a cow to lie while ruminating were significantly higher in cows on > 2 cm bedding against cows on ≤ 2 cm bedding (mixed-effects logistic regression: Odds ratio = 1,27; CI95% [1,17-1,38]; p-value 2 cm can make a significant difference in the lying and rumination behavior of healthy dairy cows housed in tie stalls. Consequently, the animal welfare of dairy cows in tie stalls is improved by providing at least 2 cm of bedding.

INTRODUCTION: Le comportement de couchage et de rumination des vaches laitières est internationalement utilisé comme indicateur du bien-être animal. En Suisse, la détention des vaches laitières est soumise à des règles légales précises. Il est entre autre prescrit que l'aire de couchage doit être pourvue d'une litière appropriée en quantité suffisante. Dans la présente étude nous avons examiné si l'épaisseur de la litière avait une influence sur le comportement de couchage et de rumination, et ainsi aussi sur le bien-être animal, de vaches laitières saines détenues en stabulation entravée. L'épaisseur de la litière a été répartie en catégories de ≤ 2 cm respectivement de > 2 cm. Le comportement de couchage et de rumination de 145 vaches en provenance de 33 exploitations a été documenté et analysé en tenant compte de l'impact de l'exploitation: 105 vaches ont été détenues sur ≤ 2 cm de litière et 40 vaches sur > 2 cm de litière. Les vaches détenues sur > 2 cm de litière avaient en moyenne une durée de couchage journalière prolongée d'une heure (régression linéaire mixte: différence moyenne [vaches sur > 2 cm de litière ­ vaches sur ≤ 2 cm de litière] = 60,7 min/d; écart type = 28,6 min/d; Valeur p = 0,037). La probabilité que les vaches soient couchées lors de la rumination était significativement plus grande chez les vaches détenues sur > 2 cm de litière par rapport aux vaches détenues sur ≤ 2 cm de litière (régression logistique mixte: odds ratio = 1,27; CI95% [1,17­1,38]; Valeur p 2 cm est associée à des différences significatives de comportement de couchage et de rumination de vaches saines détenues en stabulation entravée. En conséquence, la mise à disposition d'un minimum de 2 cm de litière sur les zones de couchage des vaches détenues en stabulation entravée permet une amélioration quantifiable du bien-être animal.

Clinical characteristics that portend a positive Xpert Ultra test result in patients with pleural tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: The performance of Xpert-MTB/RIF, including the newer Xpert Ultra test, for the diagnosis of pleural TB is poor (~28 - 38%). There are no data on patient characteristics that portend a positive Xpert-Ultra test in pleural fluid. These characteristics could be useful for selecting patients for Xpert-Ultra testing, thus maximising benefits of a positive test, while minimising cost. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical, radiological, microbiological and biochemical characteristics associated with Xpert-Ultra positivity in patients with suspected pleural tuberculosis. METHODS: We performed a subgroup analysis of a prospective observational cohort (N=165 patients with suspected pleural TB) evaluating same-day diagnostic tools for pleural tuberculosis. Forty-nine patients with confirmed pleural tuberculosis (culture and/or histology) were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: Of the 49 participants, 17 (35%) were female and 9 (18.4%) were HIV-infected. In the multivariate analysis including demographic, radiological and pleural fluid test characteristics, there were no independent predictors of Xpert-Ultra positivity. However, when pleural fluid test results were excluded, and when only rapidly ascertainable pre-test factors (demographic and radiologic variables) were considered, the multivariable analysis showed that only a chest X-ray (CXR) suggestive of active TB (cavities, consolidation and hilar lymphadenopathy) was associated with Xpert-Ultra positivity (p=0.021). Notably, only 22% (n=11/49) of the participants had a CXR suggestive of active TB and of these, 73% (n=8/11) had a positive Xpert-Ultra result. CONCLUSION: CXR features suggestive of active TB are significantly associated with a positive Xpert-Ultra test result on pleural fluid. These data inform clinical practice in resource-poor settings.

Aflatoxin M1 in breast milk of nursing Sudanese mothers.

The presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in the breast milk of nursing Sudanese mothers was investigated using AOAC official method 980.21 as the extraction method and HPLC with fluorescence detector for separation and detection. Following informed consent, 94 breast milk samples of mothers were collected, and 51 samples were found to be positive for AFM1, with an average concentration of 0.401 ± 0.525 ng g(-1) and a maximum level of 2.561 ng g(-1). The volunteers completed a questionnaire concerning their dietary preferences. The data collected suggest that peanut butter, vegetable oils and rice are the main sources responsible for the AFM1 burden in breast milk. The toxin levels are alarmingly high, and indicate that Sudanese infants are exposed to high levels of AFM1. A wide range of harmful effects, and consequently health problems, can be expected due AFM1 toxicity.

Aflatoxins levels in vegetable oils in Khartoum State, Sudan.

Vegetable oil (n = 81) for human consumption from Khartoum State in Sudan were analyzed for aflatoxins (AFs), using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection following extraction with methanol:water (80:20) and clean-up using petroleum ether. Sampling included sesame oil (n = 14), peanut oil (n = 21), and sunflower oil (n = 19) purchased from retail shops, and mixed oil produced by two local manufacturers (factory A, n = 15; factory B, n = 12). AF contamination was found in 80/81 (98.8%) samples, with total AF levels [Formula: see text] of 0.43-339.9 µg/kg and mean level of 57.5 µg/kg. All sesame oils had total AF levels that were much higher than the United States Food and Drug Administration acceptable limit of 20 µg/kg. The percentage of samples with total AF values <20 µg/kg in other oils varied and was 57.14% in peanut oil, 36.8% in sunflower oil, 66.7% (mixed oil from factory A), and 91.7% (mixed oil from factory B). In conclusion, the levels of total AFs in edible oil as available in Khartoum State are quite alarming. To reduce the health hazards for the consumers, an intervention strategy to manage AFs in food commodities from Sudan is urgently required.

Coledocoscopia percutánea: aporte diagnóstico en la estenosis biliar / Percutaneus choledoscopy: diagnostic features of biliary stenosis

Ante un paciente con ictericia obstructiva los diferentes métodos de diagnóstico por imágenes incruentos como la Ecografía y TC o poco cruentos como la colangiografía permiten confirmar prácticamente la totalidad de los diagnósticos. No obstante existen algunos casos en los que el diagnóstico etiológico permanece obscuro. En tal situación la coledocoscopia percutánea con toma de biopsia, presenta una alternativa en el diagnóstico de certeza. El objetivo del presente trabajo es mostrar la experiencia de nuestro Centro en el empleo diagnóstico de la coledocoscopia percutánea. Se realizaron seis coledocoscopias percutáneas en cuatro mujeres (edad promedio 49 años) con ictericia obstructiva. Mediante cooperación radioendoscópica, los procedimientos fueron realizados en sala de radiología intervencionista. Se concluye que la coledocoscopia percutánea constituye una alternativa poco cruenta, en la determinación de la etiología y orientación en la terapéutica de la estenosis biliar en aquellos casos en los que otros métodos incruentos y de opacificación biliar no lo permiten

Coledocoscopia percutánea: aporte diagnóstico en la estenosis biliar / Percutaneus choledoscopy: diagnostic features of biliary stenosis

Ante un paciente con ictericia obstructiva los diferentes métodos de diagnóstico por imágenes incruentos como la Ecografía y TC o poco cruentos como la colangiografía permiten confirmar prácticamente la totalidad de los diagnósticos. No obstante existen algunos casos en los que el diagnóstico etiológico permanece obscuro. En tal situación la coledocoscopia percutánea con toma de biopsia, presenta una alternativa en el diagnóstico de certeza. El objetivo del presente trabajo es mostrar la experiencia de nuestro Centro en el empleo diagnóstico de la coledocoscopia percutánea. Se realizaron seis coledocoscopias percutáneas en cuatro mujeres (edad promedio 49 años) con ictericia obstructiva. Mediante cooperación radioendoscópica, los procedimientos fueron realizados en sala de radiología intervencionista. Se concluye que la coledocoscopia percutánea constituye una alternativa poco cruenta, en la determinación de la etiología y orientación en la terapéutica de la estenosis biliar en aquellos casos en los que otros métodos incruentos y de opacificación biliar no lo permiten (AU)