Recombinant protein subunit vaccine reduces puerperal metritis incidence and modulates the genital tract microbiome.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 3 vaccine formulations containing proteins (FimH, leukotoxin, and pyolysin), inactivated whole cells (Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Trueperella pyogenes), or both, in the prevention of postpartum uterine diseases. A randomized clinical trial was conducted at a commercial dairy farm; 800 heifers were assigned into 1 of 4 different treatment groups: control, vaccine 1 (bacterin and subunit proteins), vaccine 2 (bacterin), and vaccine 3 (recombinant subunit proteins), and each heifer received a subcutaneous injection of its respective treatment at 240 ± 3 and 270 ± 3 d of gestation. Vaccination significantly reduced the incidence of puerperal metritis when compared with control (9.1% vs. 14.9%, respectively; odds ratio 0.51). Additionally, vaccine 3 was found to reduce the incidence of puerperal metritis when compared with the control (8.0% vs. 14.9%, respectively; odds ratio 0.46). Reproduction was improved for metritic cows that were vaccinated, and the effect was stronger for cows that were treated with vaccine 3. In general, vaccination decreased the total vaginal bacterial load and decreased the vaginal load of F. necrophorum by 9 d in milk. Vaccination reduced the prevalence of puerperal metritis in the first lactation of dairy cows, leading to less metritic disease and improved reproduction.

Evaluation of camelina meal as a feedstuff for growing dairy heifers.

The objective of this research was to compare the growth performance, metabolic profile, and nutrient utilization of dairy heifers fed camelina meal (CAM), linseed meal (LIN), or distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). A 12-wk randomized complete block design study was conducted using 33 Holstein and 9 Brown Swiss heifers (144.8±22d of age) with 3 treatments. Treatments were 10% of the diet as CAM, LIN, or DDGS (dry matter basis). All diets contained 60% grass hay and 40% concentrate mix. Diets were balanced with corn and soybean meal to be isonitrogenous and comparable in energy content. Diets were individually limit-fed to 2.65% of body weight using a Calan gate feeding system. Frame sizes, body weights, and body condition scores were measured on 2 consecutive days during wk 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Jugular blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study and then every 4wk throughout at 3.5h postfeeding for analysis of blood metabolites and metabolic hormones. Rumen fluid samples were taken at the same time as blood sampling via an esophageal tube during wk 8 and 12. Over the duration of the study, dry matter intake and average daily gain were similar among treatments. Body weights tended to be less for heifers fed CAM and greatest for LIN. Gain to feed was similar for the CAM and DDGS and greatest for the LIN. Overall, most frame measurements were similar among treatments. Body length had a tendency to be greater for CAM compared with LIN with DDGS similar to both. Body condition scores were greater for CAM and DDGS compared with LIN. Rumen total volatile fatty acids, acetate:propionate, and pH were similar among treatments. Butyrate was less in the CAM treatment, intermediate for LIN, and greatest for DDGS. Rumen ammonia was less in DDGS compared with CAM and LIN, which were similar. Blood concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, plasma urea N, and cholesterol were similar among treatments. Metabolic hormones, including insulin-like growth factor-1 and thyroid hormones triiodothyronine and free thyroxine, were similar among treatments. Heifers fed CAM had lesser insulin concentration than other treatments. Total-tract digestion of nutrients were similar among treatments, but CAM tended to have greater digestion of organic matter compared with LIN, with DDGS similar to both. Feeding CAM maintained growth performance compared with DDGS and LIN. This study demonstrates that CAM can be used as a protein source for growing dairy heifers.

Crash reconstruction and injury-mechanism analysis using event data recorder technology.

Sophisticated onboard crash-event data recorders (EDRs) that log key vehicle dynamics information can be used to improve crash reconstruction, model occupant response, study the mechanisms of injury, and estimate occupant injury probabilities in near-real time. Such an EDR was developed and utilized as part of the Automatic Collision Notification (ACN) system for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This paper presents the results of a study in which the reconstruction of an actual crash was augmented using EDR/ACN-supplied three-dimensional acceleration and other data in a vehicle occupant model configured using the Articulated Total Body (ATB) computer code. ATB-generated occupant-motion imagery and body-region acceleration response information provided valuable insights that permitted crash-reconstruction specialists to ascertain the true nature of the collision and identify the probable cause of an injury suffered by one of the victims. The authors also posit that the use of EDR data from an ACN-type system as inputs to occupant crash-response modeling may be someday support crash-victim emergency medical treatment and triage.

Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerotic plaques in the walls of arteries of lower extremities from patients undergoing bypass operation for arterial obstruction.

PURPOSE: To study surgically excised vascular tissue from lower extremities for the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae, to extend the previously described association of the organism with atherosclerosis. METHODS: Arterial biopsy specimens obtained from femoral and popliteal arteries during bypass operation for claudication were examined by immunocytochemical analysis and polymerase chain reaction for the presence of organisms. RESULTS: C. pneumoniae was detected in atherosclerotic plaques by either method in either artery of 11 of 23 patients (48%). Eight of 21 popliteal and three of 18 femoral arteries had positive results. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of C. pneumoniae in peripheral arteries indicates that the organism is widespread in atherosclerosis of the vascular system.

Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR) in atherosclerosis of the carotid artery.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia pneumoniae has been demonstrated in atherosclerotic lesions of coronary arteries and aorta. A seroepidemiological study found C pneumoniae-specific antibody more frequently in persons with significant carotid artery wall thickening than in matched control subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fresh-frozen or formalin-fixed tissue obtained at carotid endarterectomy was examined by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of C pneumoniae. Five of five fresh-frozen and formalin-fixed carotid endarterectomy specimens were positive for C pneumoniae by ICC (three of five by PCR). A total of 56 archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded carotid endarterectomy tissues from three hospitals were examined by ICC. Thirty-two were positive. Thirteen normal carotid artery tissue sections from six patients were negative for C pneumoniae. CONCLUSIONS: C pneumoniae organisms are frequently found in the advanced carotid atherosclerotic lesions of persons undergoing endarterectomy. Although these findings do not establish causality for C pneumoniae in carotid artery atherosclerosis, they should stimulate investigation of a possible causal or pathogenic role for the organism in the disease.

Suicidal electrocution in a bathtub.

A case of suicidal electrocution in a filled bathtub is presented with a discussion of the mechanism of electrocution in water. A modern safety device, the Ground Fault Interruptor Circuit, is also described.

Inaccuracy of measuring wounds on autopsy photographs.

This paper demonstrates the inaccuracy of using a ruler placed in an autopsy photograph for measuring wounds shown in that photograph. Wounds should be measured, not on the photographs, but on the body, and dimensions should be recorded in the autopsy protocol.