Carcinoma pulmonar de celulas pequeñas en paciente neumonectomizada no fumadora - primera criobiopsia por fibrobroncoscopia en bolivia, presentación de caso clínico / Small cell lung carcinoma in a non-smoking pneumonectomized patient - first cryobiopsy by fibrobronchoscopy in Bolivia, case report

El cáncer broncogénico tiene una base genética, que se expresa por factores externos relacionados a la exposición medioambiental y laboral, en los últimos años ha cambiado el perfil epidemiológico con incidencia creciente en mujeres sin hábito tabáquico en rangos de 50-70 años. Paciente femenino de 50 años con el antecedente de exposición a humo de leña y uso de pesticidas, con síndrome de atelectasia pulmonar masiva izquierda. Se realizó estudios fibrobroncoscopicos con toma de biopsia de masa tumoral endobronquial izquierda y se realizó la primera criobiopsia por fibrobroncoscopía en Bolivia, posteriormente paciente fue sometida a neumonectomia izquierda con estudio histopatológico concluyente de carcinoma indiferenciado de células pequeñas con primario pulmonar. Existe una fuerte asociación entre la exposición medio-ambiental y laboral y el cáncer broncogénico en pacientes no fumadores, incluso en variantes histopatológicas infrecuentes en este subgrupo como el cáncer de células pequeñas o microcítico.

Bronchogenic cancer has a genetic basis, which is expressed by external factors related to environmental and occupational exposure. In recent years, the epidemiological profile has changed with increasing incidence in women without tobacco habit in ranges of 50-70 years. A 50-year-old female patient with a history of exposure to wood smoke and pesticide use, with massive left lung atelectasis syndrome. Fibrobronchoscopy studies were performed with a biopsy of the left endobronchial tumor mass and the first cryobiopsy was performed by fibrobronchoscopy in Bolivia, later the patient underwent left pneumonectomy with a conclusive histopathological study of undifferentiated small cell carcinoma with a pulmonary primary. There is a strong association between environmental and occupational exposure and bronchogenic cancer in non-smokers, even in infrequent histopathological variants in this subgroup such as small cell or microcytic cancer.

Evaluation of the cytokines response in buffaloes focused on its milk as a newly emerging indicator tracing for toxocariasis.

This study aimed to evaluate the immune responses and oxidative stress provoked by Toxocara vitulorum infection in buffaloes with special reference to milk parameters as an emerging tool. The use of the milk tool was reported for the first time in tracing T. vitulorum infection in Egyptian buffaloes. Intestine, milk, serum, and liver samples were gathered from flocks in Cairo and Giza districts to evaluate buffalo immune responses provoked by T. vitulorum. The compositional items and somatic cells of milk were monitored. The intestine and milk were evaluated for interleukin IL-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction protocol and the analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidative stress marker. The mean percentages for the total solids, fats, proteins, lactose, salts, pH, and somatic cell count/ml in positive samples were 11.23 ± 0.37, 5.1 ± 0.17, 4.44 ± 0.14, 3.9 ± 0.14, 0.81 ± 0.02, 6.8 ± 0.22, and 4.23 × 106± 1.41 × 105 cells/ml, respectively. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the mean values of compositional items except for the total protein %, salts %, and pH. For T. vitulorum-contaminated samples, the milk IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA (nmol/ml) were 7 ± 0.23, 18 ± 0.6, 17 ± 0.56, and 3.7 ± 0.12, respectively (which were less than the values for intestinal cytokines). There is a statistical difference (p < 0.05) between positive and negative samples in the intestinal, milk cytokines, and MDA. This study is an initial investigation of the utilization of intestine and milk cytokines in the evaluation of buffalo toxocariasis.

Milk tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), interferon (IFN-γ) and oxidative stress markers as new indicators for fascioliasis in dairy water buffaloes.

Sixty Bubaline milk samples with corresponding blood samples were obtained from flocks at random in Cairo and Giza Governorates. The aerobic bacteria & somatic cells were counted and evaluated the physicochemical parameters of milk. Both milk and serum of buffaloes' were evaluated for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), and interferon (IFN-ɤ) by quantitative real-time PCR protocol, and oxidative stress markers were measured spectrophotometrically. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the mean values of whole milk physicochemical aspects except the moisture % & pH values were recorded for infested and non-infested animals. For F. gigantica infested animals, the milk TNF-α, IL-1ß, interferon IFN-γ, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) values were 17.5 ± 0.67, 18.5 ± 0.71, 19.25 ± 0.74, 7.75 ± 0.29, and 1.1 ± 0.04, respectively (lesser than serum values) with a significant difference (p < 0.05) between positive and negative samples for both examined serum and milk samples. There was also a significant (p < 0.05) negative relationship between MSCC & fat% and protein%, while a significant (p < 0.05) positive relationship between MSCC and the investigated milk cytokines in F. gigantica infested animals. This study is considered one of the fewest investigations of milk cytokines and oxidative stress markers in buffaloes fascioliasis diagnosis. Meanwhile, monitoring these genes modification that is active in the milk-producing gland is significant to typify the act technicality of the inherited immunity that helps the progress of schemes to retain the udder health.

Effects of milk replacer allowances and levels of starch in pelleted starter on nutrient digestibility, whole gastrointestinal tract fermentation, and pH around weaning.

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of pelleted starter diets differing in starch and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content when fed differing levels of milk replacer (MR) on nutrient digestibility, whole gastrointestinal tract fermentation, pH, and inflammatory markers in dairy calves around weaning. Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (n = 12 per treatment) in a 2 × 2 factorial design based on daily MR allowance and amount of starch in pelleted starter (SPS): 0.691 kg of MR per day [dry matter (DM) basis] with starter containing low or high starch (12.0% and 35.6% starch on DM basis, respectively), and 1.382 kg of MR per day (DM) with starter containing low or high starch. All calves were housed in individual pens with straw bedding until wk 5 when bedding was covered. Calves were fed MR twice daily (0700 and 1700 h) containing 24.5% crude protein (DM) and 19.8% fat (DM), and had access to pelleted starter (increased by 50 g/d if there were no refusals before weaning and then 200 g/d during and after weaning) and water starting on d 1. Calves arrived between 1 and 3 d of age and were enrolled into an 8-wk study, with calves undergoing step-down weaning during wk 7. Starting on d 35, an indwelling pH logger was inserted orally to monitor rumen pH until calves were dissected at the end of the study in wk 8. Higher SPS calves showed an increase in rumen pH magnitude (1.46 ± 0.07) compared with low SPS calves (1.16 ± 0.07), a decrease in rumen pH in wk 8 (high SPS: 5.37 ± 0.12; low SPS: 5.57 ± 0.12), and a decrease in haptoglobin in wk 8 (high SPS: 0.24 ± 0.06 g/L; low SPS: 0.49 ± 0.06 g/L). The majority of differences came from increased starter intake in general, which suggests that with completely pelleted starters the differences in starch and NDF do not elicit drastic changes in fermentation, subsequent end products, and any resulting inflammation in calves around weaning.

Performance and visceral tissue growth and development of Holstein calves fed differing milk replacer allowances and starch concentrations in pelleted starter.

The objectives of this study were to investigate how milk replacer (MR) allowance and differing concentrations of starch and neutral detergent fiber in starter alters visceral tissue and overall growth of the calf. Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (n = 12 per treatment) arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial based on daily MR allowance (MRA) and amount of starch in pelleted starter (SPS) as follows: 0.691 kg of MR/d [dry matter (DM) basis] with starter containing low or high starch (12.0% and 35.6% starch, respectively) and 1.382 kg of MR/day (DM) with starter containing low or high starch. All calves were housed in individual pens with straw bedding until wk 5 when bedding was covered to minimize intake. Calves were fed MR twice daily (0700 and 1700 h) containing 24.5% crude protein (DM) and 19.8% fat (DM), and had access to pelleted starter (increased by 50 g/d if there were no refusals before weaning, and then 200 g/d during and after weaning) and water starting on d 1. Calves arrived between 1 and 3 d of age and were enrolled into an 8-wk study, with calves undergoing step-down weaning during wk 7. Intakes were measured daily, and body weight (BW) and blood samples were recorded and collected weekly. Calves were dissected in wk 8 for visceral tissue measurements. Overall, there was increased MR DM intake for the high- (0.90 ± 0.01 kg/d; ± SE) compared with the low-MRA (0.54 ± 0.01 kg/d) calves, whereas starter DM intake increased in low- (0.47 ± 0.05 kg/d) compared with high-MRA (0.20 ± 0.05 kg/d) calves, which was driven by increases in wk 6, 7, and 8. High-MRA calves had increased BW during wk 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The difference in BW disappeared by wk 8, with overall average daily gain having a tendency to be increased in high (0.57 ± 0.04 kg/d) compared with low-MRA (0.50 ± 0.04 kg/d) calves, whereas average daily gain was increased in high-MRA calves during wk 2 and 3 and increased in low-MRA calves during wk 7 and 8. There were several differences throughout visceral tissue measurements, but most notably, an increase in rumen mass (i.e., full, empty, and digesta weights) in low- compared with high-MRA calves, as well as in low- compared with high-SPS calves was observed. The length, width, and 2-dimensional area of rumen papillae were also increased in low- (area: 0.88 ± 0.03 mm2) compared with high-MRA (0.46 ± 0.03 mm2) calves. The majority of differences were attributed to increased MR allowance, which contributed to reduced pelleted starter intake by more than 50% and reduced rumen development, whereas differences in starch intake from the completely pelleted starter had minimal effects on overall growth and tissue measurements.

Effects of mixed tocopherols added to milk replacer and calf starter on intake, growth, and indices of stress.

Vitamin E comprises 8 fat-soluble isoforms: α-, ß-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol and α-, ß-, γ-, and δ-tocotrienol. Yet the body preferentially uses α-tocopherol, and only α-tocopherol supplementation can reverse vitamin E deficiency symptoms. However, other isoforms influence many biological functions in the body, including inflammation and stress. Therefore, the study objective was to determine metabolic and performance responses in young calves fed diets containing a constant amount of α-tocopherol and increasing amounts of soybean oil-derived mixed γ- and δ-tocopherols. Holstein calves [n = 48; 2-3 d of age; 40.2 kg of initial body weight (BW), standard error = 0.54] were assigned to receive approximately 0, 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg of BW daily (treatments T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively) of mixed tocopherols (TMIX) provided in milk replacer (MR) and calf starter. The TMIX liquid contained 86% γδ-tocopherols and 9% α-tocopherol. Milk replacers were formulated to contain approximately 0, 400, 800, or 1,200 mg of TMIX/kg for treatments T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Calf starters were formulated to contain approximately 0, 250, 500, or 750 mg of TMIX/kg for treatments T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Mean consumption of γδ-tocopherols was 0.0, 6.5, 14.3, and 20.5 mg/kg of BW, respectively. Milk replacer contained 24% crude protein (CP) and 20% fat on a dry matter (DM) basis. Calf starters were pelleted and offered for ad libitum consumption from 0 to 56 d. Starters contained 18 to 20% CP and 9 to 12% starch in the DM. On d 28, 4 calves per treatment were randomly selected for slaughter, and necropsy was performed. Samples of liver, duodenum, ileum, and trapezius muscle were collected and stored before analysis for α-, ß-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols and δ-tocotrienol. Data were analyzed using a completely randomized design using mixed model ANOVA with orthogonal polynomials to determine linear and quadratic effects of TMIX. Repeated-measures analyses were performed for data collected over time. Increasing dietary TMIX increased or tended to increase change in hip width at 28 and 56 d, respectively, and improved average daily BW gain and gain-to-feed ratio at 56 d. Increasing TMIX reduced plasma xanthine oxidase at 0 h and tended to reduce concentrations at 24 h following vaccination with 2 commercial vaccines on d 28; however, we detected no effect of TMIX following vaccination on d 56. Concentration of α-tocopherol in skeletal muscle declined quadratically with increasing TMIX, whereas ileal and liver γ-tocopherol increased linearly with increasing TMIX. The number of mucin-2 cells in the ileum increased more than 2-fold in calves fed T3. Addition of mixed tocopherols to diets of young dairy calves improved animal growth and altered indices of antioxidant metabolism.

Effects of feeding milk replacer at a moderate rate, ad libitum, or with a step-up program on Holstein calf growth performance to 4 months of age.

The objective of this study was to evaluate 3 milk replacer (MR) feeding programs on calf performance to 4 mo of age. Male Holstein calves (n = 48; 2-3 d old) were randomly assigned to either a moderate rate of MR (MOD; 0.66 kg/d for 39 d, then 0.33 kg/d for 3 d), an ad libitum rate of MR (ADLIB; offered twice daily between 0630 and 0830 h and between 1430 and 1630 h for 35 d, 0.66 kg/d for 4 d, and 0.33 kg/d for 3 d), or a step-up rate of MR (STEPUP; increased from 0.32 to 0.62 kg/d in first 12 d, 0.66 kg/d for 27 d, and 0.33 kg/d for 3 d). The MR (25% CP, 18% fat) was fed twice daily to d 39 and once daily thereafter. During the nursery phase (0-56 d), calves were housed in individual pens and offered textured starter (40% starch, 21% CP on a DM basis) and water ad libitum. Calf body weight (BW) was measured initially and weekly thereafter. Hip widths (HW) were measured initially and every 2 wk thereafter. In the grower phase, (57-112 d), calves were grouped by previous treatment and moved to group pens (4 calves/pen). The same starter used in the nursery phase was blended with 5% chopped grass hay and offered ad libitum. Calf BW and HW were measured on d 56, 84, and 112. Total MR intake per calf averaged 27, 51, and 25 kg for MOD, ADLIB, and STEPUP programs, respectively, with a range of 42 to 63 kg for ADLIB. In the nursery phase, starter intake and feed efficiency were less for ADLIB versus MOD, whereas fecal scores and abnormal fecal score days were greater for calves fed ADLIB versus MOD. Calves fed STEPUP had lesser average daily gain than calves fed MOD. During the grower phase, initial BW was greater for ADLIB versus MOD, though final BW was not different between MOD and ADLIB or STEPUP. Calves previously fed MOD had greater average daily gain, feed efficiency, and HW change than calves fed ADLIB. In this study, feed efficiency was lower when MR was fed ad libitum, and growth advantages observed at 2 mo were lost by 4 mo of age.

Safety and quality aspects of whole and skimmed milk powders.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, dried milk products are highly traded and consumed all over the world, so we aimed in this study to evaluate to what extent whole and skim milk powders are safe and comply with Egyptian standards. METHODS: Eighty samples of dried milk (50 whole milk powder and 30 skim milk powder) were gathered from several retailers and supermarkets for evaluation of their differing quality and safety parameters. RESULTS: The most frequent off-flavors recovered from whole milk powder samples were cooked ones and, in the case of skim milk powder samples, flat ones. Five samples of whole milk powder were of fair quality and three samples of poor quality, according to the sensory evaluation. The compositional parameters, moisture, %, fat, %, protein, %, and acidity, %, were measured as mean values of 3.90 ±0.15, 26.90 ±0.19, 25.53 ±0.27, and 0.99 ±0.03% in the examined whole milk powder samples and 3.77 ±0.08, 1.11 ±0.05, 34.62 ±0.29, and 1.22 ±0.03% in the examined skimmed milk powder samples, respectively. These results were within the range of component requirements set by the Egyptian Standard (2014; ES: 1780/2014) for dried milk products. Also, the microbiological safety of the milk powder samples was analyzed by assessment of the total viable count, total yeast and mold count, Coliforms count, Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli, C. sakazakii, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent isolate (36.00% and 6.67%) followed by Enterobacteriaceae (20.00% and 3.33%), of whole and skim milk powder, respectively. Enterobacteriaceae isolates included Enterobacter cloacae ssp. Cloacae, and Pantoea spp., which were specified by traditional biochemical tests and Vitek2 system. All Enterobacteriaceae isolated spp. were resistant to cephalothin, neomycin, tobramycin and colistin sulphate, and sensitive to chloramphenicol, gentamycin and nalidixic acid. E. coli, C. sakazakii, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes couldn't be isolated from all the tested samples. By using Inductive Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), we could measure lead and mercury as mean values of 0.243 ±0.069 and 0.261 ±0.052 mg/kg for whole milk powder samples at a percentage of 68.00 and 34.00%, while for the skim milk powder samples they were 0.150 ±0.037, and 0.347 ±0.110 mg/kg at a percentage of 66.67 and 40.00%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Finally, thirty-four whole milk powder and twelve skimmed milk powder samples didn't comply with Egyptian standards, so it is necessary for authorities to put more attention on this and regular monitor it.

Effects of milk replacer feeding rate and fat content on Jersey calf nutrient digestion and performance to 4 months of age.

This study evaluated effects of milk replacer (MR) feeding rate and fat concentration in MR on total-tract digestion (TTD) and growth performance in Jersey calves. Jersey heifer calves (n = 100, 2 blocks of 50; initially 30 ± 3.0 kg of body weight; 4-11 d of age) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of MR feeding rate [454 g for 42 d, and 227 g for 7 d (MOD); or 454 g for 7 d, 681 g for 35 d, and 341 g for 7 d (HI), as-fed basis] and MR fat content (17 or 24% fat as-fed basis). Milk replacers (24% crude protein as-fed basis) were reconstituted to 14% solids and fed in 2 equal feedings for 42 d, and then mornings only for 7 d. Textured calf starter (21% crude protein, 40% starch, dry matter basis) and water were offered for ad libitum consumption. From d 57 to 112, calf starter was mixed with 5% chopped grass hay. Calves were housed individually to d 56 and housed in groups (4-5 calves/pen) from d 57 to 112. Estimates of TTD were measured in 5 calves/treatment (block 1) at wk 3 of the study using acid-insoluble ash as an indigestible marker. From 0 to 56 d, calf starter intake (CSI) was greater for MOD vs. HI and 17 versus 24% fat; average daily gain was greater for HI versus MOD; and hip width change was greater for 17 versus 24% fat. Estimates of organic matter TTD were greater for HI versus MOD, but neutral detergent fiber TTD was greater for MOD versus HI and for 17 versus 24% fat. From 57 to 112 d, hip height change was greater for MOD versus HI, and hip width change was greater for 17 versus 24% fat. In this study, feeding Jersey calves more MR improved preweaning average daily gain, but had a negative effect on CSI and likely rumen development, as neutral detergent fiber TTD was reduced at 3 wk and frame growth was reduced from d 57 to 112. This resulted in similar final calf body weights between MR feeding rates at the end of the study. No benefits were observed for feeding more fat in MR as CSI or for NDF digestibility, and frame growth was reduced.

Starch-protein interaction in the rumen of weaned dairy calves.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of starch and protein interaction on rumen environment, in situ digestion, and total-tract digestibility of nutrients in weaned dairy calves between 8 and 16 wk of age. Sixteen rumen-cannulated calves were randomly divided into 4 dietary treatment groups with 4 calves fed in each treatment. The treatment diets had 2 levels of starch [18%, low starch (LS), or 38%, high starch (HS)] and 2 levels of protein [16%, low protein (LP), or 22%, high protein (HP)] on a dry matter (DM) basis in calf grower: (1) LPLS, (2) LPHS, (3) HPLS, and (4) HPHS. Calves were fed for ad libitum intake (95% assigned grower and 5% grass hay), and refusals were collected weekly. Total-tract digestibility collection and in situ digestibility procedures were performed for each calf at 11 and 15 wk. Samples for in situ digestibility, grass hay (GH), soybean hulls (SBH), wheat middlings (WM), ground corn (GrC), and soybean meal (SBM) were incubated for 9 and 24 h. There was no starch and protein interaction on total-tract digestibility of calves. Total-tract DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility, and feed efficiency were affected by both protein and starch inclusion level in calf diet. Total-tract starch digestibility was lower for LS diets. Dry matter digestibility and feed efficiency were greater in calves fed HP and HS diets compared with calves fed LP and LS diets, respectively. Fiber digestibility (NDF and ADF) was less in calves fed HS diets compared with calves fed LS diets but was greater in calves fed HP diets compared with calves fed LP diets. Level of protein did not affect in situ DM and NDF disappearance of GH, but HP increased in situ DM and NDF disappearance of SBH. High-starch diets decreased DM and NDF disappearance of both GH and SBH. At 20 h after feeding, ruminal pH was 0.51 unit higher in calves fed HPHS compared with calves fed LPHS. Total ruminal VFA and proportion of propionate was greater with HS versus LS, whereas proportion of acetate was greater with LS versus HS. The DM disappearance of SBM and WM and NDF disappearance of WM was greater for calves fed HPHS compared with calves fed LPHS at 11 wk of age. In our study, when HP was fed with HS, rumen pH, in situ digestion of WM and SBM, and total-tract digestion of DM, NDF, and ADF increased. This provides evidence for starch-protein interaction in the rumen of recently weaned dairy calves. Improvements in total-tract and in situ digestibility suggest that both protein and starch levels are important for 8- to 16-wk-old calves.

Models to predict dry feed intake in Holstein calves to 4 months of age.

Voluntary daily dry feed intake (DFI) in Holstein calves was predicted using 60,761 individual daily observations collected from 1,235 Holstein calves in 30 experiments from 4 research stations in the United States and Europe. Consumption of dry feed (calf starter and hay, kg/d or percent of body weight) was measured from 3 to 114 d of age. Linear models and 2- and 3-parameter nonlinear models were evaluated to predict DFI using age of calf, intake of milk replacer, ambient temperature, percent forage, and neutral detergent fiber concentration in ration dry matter (DM) as independent variables. The initial data set was randomly divided within study location into development (80% of all observations) and validation data sets, and initial screening was conducted using the development data set. Five nonlinear models and 3 linear models (candidate models) were identified and used in further model evaluation. Cross-validation studies (n = 20) with the validation data set were conducted by linear regression of DFI with predicted DFI as independent variable. Candidate models were subsequently evaluated with data from 12 published studies in 2 analyses. The exponential model that best predicted daily DFI in Holstein calves in original and external data sets was DFI (kg/d) = 1.3207 × e[(-5.3892 + 0.6376 × MEgap) × EXP(-0.0392 × Age)] - 0.0013 × Temp + 0.0032 × NDFDM + 0.0026 × Age × MEgap - 0.3646 × PctForage [coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.92, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) = 0.96, and mean square error of prediction (MSEP) = 0.10 kg]; where MEgap (Mcal/d) = difference of daily metabolizable energy (ME) requirement and ME intake from milk replacer; Age = age of calf (d) from 3 to 114, Temp = mean daily ambient temperature (°C), NDFDM = ration neutral detergent fiber (% DM); PctForage = percent forage in ration DM. The linear model that best predicted DFI was DFI (kg/d = -0.1349 + 0.0106 × Age + 0.1808 × MEgap + 0.0013 × Age × MEgap + 0.0001 × Temp + 0.00002 × Age × Temp (R2 = 0.93, CCC = 0.96, and MSEP = 0.10 kg). When Temp and ration characteristics were not included, optimal models were 1.4362 × e[(-4.6646 + 0.5234 × MEgap) × EXP(-0.0361 × Age)] + 0.0025 × Age × MEgap (R2 = 0.92, CCC = 0.96, and MSEP = 0.11 kg) and -0.1344 + 0.0102 × Age + 0.1810 × MEgap + 0.0013 × Age × MEgap [R2 = 0.93, CCC = 0.96, and MSEP = 0.10 kg]. Models of daily DFI may improve prediction of nutrient supply to young Holstein calves to approximately 4 mo of age, thereby increasing prediction of growth performance.

Effect of increasing the amount of hay fed on Holstein calf performance and digestibility from 2 to 4 months of age.

A good transition from a mainly liquid diet to a solid diet of concentrates and forages is important considering the small size and development of the calf's rumen. However, the optimal amount of hay or other high-fiber ingredients in the diet of recently weaned calves is not well defined. The objective of this trial was to determine the effects of feeding 0, 5, or 10% chopped grass hay (6.5% crude protein, 64.6% neutral detergent fiber) with a textured, high-starch starter (20.5% crude protein, 38.4% starch, 14.1% neutral detergent fiber; protein pellet, whole corn, and oats) on performance and digestion in Holstein steer calves between 2 and 4 mo of age. Forty-eight calves (initial body weight = 90.7 ± 2.15 kg) were housed in group pens (4 per pen) and fed diets and water for ad libitum intake. Feed offered and refused was measured daily. Calf body weight, hip width, and body condition score (1-5 scale) were measured initially and at 28 and 56 d. Fecal samples were collected from the pen floor with care not to sample bedding material and composited by pen during d 5-9, 26-30, and 47-51 to estimate apparent total-tract digestibility using acid-insoluble ash. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with repeated measures and pen as the experimental unit. As grass hay increased, dry matter intake (kg/d) decreased linearly but tended to change quadratically. Dry matter intake as a % of body weight changed quadratically with increasing hay, increasing from 0 to 5%, and decreasing from 5 to 10% hay. Average daily gain (1.15, 1.12, and 0.95 kg/d), feed efficiency (0.336, 0.319, and 0.309 kg of average daily gain/kg of dry matter intake), and hip width change (4.6, 4.7, and 4.1) decreased linearly with 0, 5, and 10% hay, respectively. Overall estimates of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and crude protein digestibility changed quadratically with hay, increasing from 0 to 5%, and decreasing from 5 to 10% hay, whereas digestibility of starch, sugar, and fat decreased linearly with increasing hay. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber increased from 2 to 3 mo of age, and decreased from 3 to 4 mo of age. Digestibility of starch decreased linearly and digestibility of fat and crude protein increased linearly with age. Digestive capacity did not appear mature by 4 mo of age. Feeding 5% chopped hay supported optimal digestion and growth in calves 2 to 4 mo of age, which agrees with previously published research.

Milk As a New Diagnostic Tool for Rapid Detection of Fascioliasis in Dairy Goats Using Excretory/Secretory Antigen.

PURPOSE: Fascioliasis is a serious livestock illness of particular importance for dairy goats; the objectives of this study were to describe effects of F. gigantica on milk composition and to use this information to estimate economic damages linked with Fasciola spp. infections. Furthermore, the study sought to standardize the use of milk instead of serum for early diagnosis of fascioliasis in dairy goats. METHODS: One-hundred samples of goat milk along with corresponding blood samples were obtained at random from flocks in Cairo and Giza Governorates. The ELISA and DOT-ELISA were performed in both serum and milk of dairy goats. RESULTS: Total mesophilic count (mean value) was 2.12 × 106 ± 1.63 × 105 CFU/ml in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) positive samples and 1.46 × 104 ± 8.58 × 102 CFU/ml in ELISA-negative samples. The mean values were significantly different (P < 0.05). The mean values of percentages of fat, SNF, protein, salts, lactose, pH, and MSCC/ml in ELISA-positive samples were 2.3 ± 0.17, 8.21 ± 0.63, 3.08 ± 0.18, 0.90 ± 0.06, 3.64 ± 0.28, 6.93 + 0.53, and 1.18 × 106 ± 9.07 × 104 cells/ml, respectively. A significant difference (P < 0.05) between the mean values of two composition parameters, i.e., percent of fat and MSCC/ml in ELISA-positive and -negative samples, for Fasciola gigantica was observed. The antigen used for the diagnosis of F. gigantica was excretory/secretory (E/S) antigen. The dilutions of (E/S) concentrations after checkerboard titration for indirect ELISA were 20 µg/ml protein and for dot-ELISA, 300 ng/µl. Sera dilution was 1:100 in the two tests, and milk dilution was 1:50 for indirect ELISA, and 1:25 for dot-ELISA. The two tests were performed using known F. gigantica positive and negative goat sera and known rat hyper immunized negative and positive sera against E/S antigen of F. gigantica as well as known sera for paramphistomes without F. gigantica infection. The cutoff values in indirect ELISA were 0.45 for sera and 0.35 for milk. CONCLUSION: The application of different serological technique in goat farms reveals a good test in rapid diagnosis of fascioliasis especially the uses of dot ELISA when using the milk instead of the serum.

Meta-analysis of effects of age on intestinal digestibility of liquid feeds in young calves.

A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect of age on digestibility of liquid feeds fed to preweaned Holstein calves. Calves were 4 to 76 d of age and fed whole milk or milk replacer containing all-milk protein. Least squares means of apparent total-tract N, DM, and fat digestibilities (n = 84, 51, and 24, respectively) from 12 publications were used. Broken line regression and mixed model ANOVA were used to determine ages at which digestion of nutrients no longer increased with age, indicating maturation of digestive capacity. Digestibility of DM, N, and fat reached maximum digestibilities of 94.1, 92.7, and 97.5% at 29, 29, and 32 d of age, respectively. These data indicate age-related changes in digestion of liquid feeds in preweaned Holstein calves and allow correction of apparent total-tract digestibility estimates in nutrient supply models. Digestibility of liquid nutrients in calves fed whole milk or all milk containing milk replacers reached maximal capacity at approximately 30 d of age.

Assessment of CFH and HTRA1 polymorphisms in age-related macular degeneration using classic and machine-learning approaches.

BACKGROUND: CFH and HTRA1 are pivotal genes driving increased risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) among several populations. Here, we performed a hospital-based case-control study to evaluate the effects of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among Hispanics from Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 122 cases and 249 controls were genotyped using Taqman probes. Experienced ophthalmologists diagnosed AMD following the American Association of Ophthalmology guidelines. We studied CFH (rs1329428, rs203687) and HTRA1 (rs11200638) SNPs thoroughly by logistic regression models (assuming different modes of inheritance) and machine learning-based methods (ML). RESULTS: HTRA1 rs11200638 is the most significant polymorphism associated with AMD in our studied population. In a multivariate regression model adjusted for clinically and statistically meaningful covariates, the A/G and A/A genotypes increased the odds of disease by a factor of 2.32 and 7.81, respectively (P < .05) suggesting a multiplicative effect of the polymorphic A allele. Furthermore, this observation remains statistically meaningful in the allelic, dominant, and recessive models, and ML algorithms. When stratifying by phenotype, this polymorphism was significantly associated with increased odds for geographic atrophy (GA) in a recessive mode of inheritance (12.4, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In sum, this work supports a strong association between HTRA1 genetic variants and AMD in Hispanics from Mexico, especially with GA. Moreover, ML was able to replicate the results of conventional biostatistics methods unbiasedly.

Postweaning response on growth and nutrient digestion to using different weaning strategies when feeding moderate and high amounts of milk replacer to Holstein calves.

Many changes occur in the rumen as calves transition from consuming a liquid diet to a completely solid diet. These changes can influence growth and calf health, being greatly affected by preweaning diet as well as the transitional steps used to wean calves. A 2 × 2 factorial design of moderate [MOD; 0.66 kg of dry matter (DM)] or high (HI; up to 1.1 kg of DM) feeding rates of milk replacer (MR) and abrupt (AB; 7-d step-down) or gradual weaning (GR; 21-d step-down) was used to study how preweaning program affects calf performance from 2 to 4 mo of age. Calves (n = 50) were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 preweaning treatments. For the following 56-d grower portion of the experiment, calves were grouped into 12 pens based on MR program, with 4 to 5 calves per pen. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design, with repeated measures when applicable, by PROC MIXED in SAS (version 9.4; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). All calves received ad libitum access to water and a textured starter [42% starch and 20% crude protein (CP)] blended with 5% chopped grass hay. Overall, apparent digestibility coefficients (dC) of DM, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were greater for MOD compared with HI, and apparent dC of DM and ADF were greater for GR than for AB. No significant differences were detected between organic matter, CP, fat, starch, or sugar dC based on treatment, and no interactions were observed. However, by d 56 only starch dC differed by treatment. Weaning body weight (BW), hip width (HW), and hip height (HH) were greater for HI compared with MOD calves. Weaning HH was greater for AB than for GR calves. However, final BW, HW, HH, and body condition score, as well as average daily gain, did not differ among treatments. An interaction occurred where feed efficiency (gain/feed) was reduced with GR weaning in MOD, whereas the opposite occurred in the HI group. When feeding calves a moderate level of MR, a several-step gradual weaning is not necessary to ensure growth and development; however, calves should be gradually weaned when offered a high level of MR.

Effects of milk replacer feeding rates on growth performance of Holstein dairy calves to 4 months of age, evaluated via a meta-analytical approach.

Our objective was to evaluate effects of feeding milk replacer (MR) at 2 feeding rates on digestion, intake, and growth of young dairy calves, via a meta-analytical approach using individual data. A database was developed from 10 published studies from the Nurture Research Center (Provimi; Brookville, OH), in which 26 dietary treatments and 491 calves from 0 to 8 wk of age in 13 nursery trials, and 22 dietary treatments and 485 calves from 8 to 16 wk of age in 13 grower trials occurred. Male Holstein calves (n = 491; initial body weight 42.8 ± 4.9 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: (1) moderate (MOD), 0.64 to 0.66 kg of dry matter (DM)/d for the first 35 to 39 d, followed by half the allotment per d for 3 to 7 d, fed at the a.m. feeding only; (2) high (HI), 0.92 to 1.07 kg of DM/d for the first 35 to 44 d, followed by half the allotment per d for 5 to 7 d, fed at the a.m. feeding only. Calves were weaned at 6 to 7 wk of age. Milk replacer ranged from 24.8 to 28.6% crude protein (CP) and 17.6 to 20.2% fat; starter ranged from 17.3 to 22.2% CP and 3.0 to 4.3% fat on a DM basis. On d 56 calves (n = 485) moved into pens (4 calves/pen) by treatments and were fed starter (19.4 to 22.3% CP and 3.4 to 4.6% fat, DM basis) blended with 5% hay until d 112. In all nursery trials (d 0 to 56), calves fed MOD had lower average daily gain (ADG; 0.634 vs. 0.545 kg/d), gain/DMI (0.488 vs. 0.466 kg/kg), and hip width change (0.069 vs. 0.064 cm/d), but greater starter intake (0.473 vs. 0.696 kg/d) compared with calves fed HI. Apparent total-tract digestibility of DM (73.3 vs. 78.4%), organic matter (OM; 74.1 vs. 79.0%), CP (74.8 vs. 78.9%), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF; 40.8 vs. 53.9%) were greater for calves fed MOD vs. HI when estimated during wk 8. In all grower trials (d 56 to 112), ADG (1.015 vs. 0.976 kg/d), gain/DMI (0.375 vs. 0.349 kg/kg), and hip width change (0.089 vs. 0.081 cm/d) were greater, but dry feed intake per kg of BW0.75 did not differ (87.8 vs. 88.2 g/d) for calves previously fed MOD vs. HI. Apparent digestibility of DM (78.7 vs. 76.0%), OM (79.8 vs. 77.0%), CP (80.5 vs. 78.4%), and NDF (54.8 vs. 45.8%) were greater for calves fed MOD vs. HI when estimated between wk 11 to 13. Over the entire 112-d period, calves fed MOD had lower ADG (0.805 vs. 0.784 kg/d) but tended to have greater hip width change (8.415 vs. 8.589 cm) compared with calves fed HI. Under the conditions of this study, feeding higher MR rates caused calves to partially lose growth advantage during the weaning transition and further decreased BW gain and structural growth in the grower period (d 56 to 112), which could be due to reductions in nutrient digestibility as a result of feeding more MR.

Effect of amount of milk replacer fed and the processing of corn in starter on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and rumen and fecal fibrolytic bacteria of dairy calves.

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of milk replacer (MR) feeding rate and processing of corn in calf starter (CS) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and rumen and fecal fibrolytic bacteria in dairy calves. Holstein male calves (n = 48, 2-3 d of age) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of MR level of 0.749 kg of MR/d (LO) or up to 1.498 kg of MR/d (HI); and whole corn or flaked corn in textured CS. Calves were weaned by reducing MR offered by 50% during wk 6. Intakes of MR and CS were recorded daily, whereas body weight (BW) was measured weekly. Rumen fluid and fecal matter were collected at wk 5 and 8 to quantify fibrolytic bacteria and nutrient digestibility. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using mixed model ANOVA. Repeated measures were used as appropriate. Calves fed HI had greater average daily gain than calves fed LO at wk 2, 3, 4, and 5, yet at wk 7 calves fed HI had lower average daily gain compared with calves fed LO. Starter intake was greater for calves fed LO compared with HI at wk 4, 5, 6, and 7. During wk 5 and 8, calves fed LO had increased ADF and NDF digestibility compared with calves fed HI. During wk 5, dry matter and organic matter digestibility were lower for LO-fed calves compared with HI-fed calves, but during wk 8 the opposite was observed, with HI-fed calves having lower dry matter and organic matter digestibility than LO-fed calves. At wk 5, Clostridium cluster IV and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens proportions in rumen fluid tended to be higher and Clostridium cluster IV, Fecalibacterium sp., and Prevotella sp. proportions in fecal matter were higher in calves fed LO compared with HI. From wk 8 to 16, dry matter intake was unaffected by treatment; however, energy efficiency was greater in calves fed LO, causing LO calves to have higher BW gain during this period. Greater starter digestibility was observed for calves fed LO versus HI in concert with increased fibrolytic bacteria proportions (wk 5) in fecal and rumen samples, which resulted in greater postweaning BW gain and similar BW and frame measurements by 16 wk of age. Overall the results show that rate of MR feeding has a larger effect than the processing of corn in CS on performance, fiber digestibility, and rumen and fecal fibrolytic bacterial communities.

Effect of starter form, starch concentration, and amount of forage fed on Holstein calf growth from 2 to 4 months of age.

Young, weaned calves are commonly offered ad libitum forage with limited amounts of starter, in contrast to the suggested amount of approximately 5% forage in the diet due to the limited capacity of the rumen, as well as limited ability to digest high fiber feeds. The objective of this research was to compare 2 types of starters (low starch, pelleted vs. high starch, textured), both fed either ad libitum with 5% chopped hay, or fed at restricted rates with ad libitum long grass hay to calves between 2 and 4 mo of age. In trial 1, 48 calves were housed in group pens (68.4 ± 3.37 kg of initial body weight ± standard deviation; 3 pens of 4 calves/pen) and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 diets: (1) low starch pelleted starter (8% starch) blended with 5% chopped hay fed free choice; (2) high starch textured starter (45% starch) blended with 5% chopped hay fed free choice; (3) low starch pelleted starter (8% starch) fed at a rate up to 2.3 kg of dry matter (DM)/d, with free-choice long grass hay; or (4) high starch textured starter (45% starch) fed at a rate up to 2.3 kg of DM/d, with free-choice long grass hay. Trial 1 was analyzed as a completely randomized design using a 2 × 2 arrangement of treatments. Repeated measures were used as appropriate. Pen was the experimental unit. In trial 2, 48 calves (76.4 ± 1.55 kg of initial body weight; 6 pens of 4 calves/pen) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 diets: (1) ad libitum access to a blend of 95% high starch textured starter (42% starch) and 5% chopped grass hay; or (2) high starch textured starter fed up to 2.7 kg of DM/d with free-choice long grass hay. Trial 2 was analyzed as for trial 1, without factorial arrangement. Trials were 56 d long. In trial 1, feed efficiency, average daily gain (ADG), and change in hip width were greater for calves fed high versus low starch diet. Final hip width, ADG, DM intake, and change in hip width were greater for calves fed limited chopped versus free-choice long hay diets. In trial 2, intake, feed efficiency, and all growth measurements were greater in calves fed the ad libitum mixed diet compared with those limit-fed starter up to 2.7 kg as fed with ad libitum hay. Ad libitum hay intake was highly variable among pens and differed up to 2.5-fold by the last week of the trials. In both trials, restricted feeding of starter with ad libitum long grass hay reduced total DM intake by 13 to 17%, ADG by 20%, and hip width change by 10 to 23% compared with a blend of 95% starter and 5% chopped grass hay fed ad libitum.

Short communication: Relationships between physical form of oats in starter, rumen pH, and volatile fatty acids on hepatic expression of genes involved in metabolism and inflammation in dairy calves.

In early-weaning programs, dietary effects on calf rumen development have been studied extensively, but very little information is available about the effects of a solid diet on hepatic metabolism in preweaned dairy calves. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of physical form of oats in calf starter on the expression of key hepatic gluconeogenic, ß-oxidation, and acute phase protein genes in preweaned dairy calves. Samples were analyzed from 3 experiments that fed either ground or whole oats in calf starters. Briefly, 7 calves were slaughtered at 5 wk of age in experiment 1, 6 were slaughtered at 6 wk in experiment 2, and 7 were slaughtered at 7 wk in experiment 3, and liver tissue was collected for gene expression analysis. Calves from experiments 1 and 2 were cannulated, and their rumen pH and volatile fatty acids were measured during treatment periods. The mRNA expression of gluconeogenic enzymes pyruvate carboxylase (PC), cytosolic and mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1 and PCK2), fatty acid oxidation enzyme carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1), and positive acute phase protein haptoglobin (HPT) was measured by real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR. Expression of HPT was greater in calves fed whole oats than in calves fed ground oats; however, PC, PCK1, PCK2, and CPT1 were not affected by the physical form of oats. All enzymes (PCK1, PCK2, HPT, and CPT1) except PC were affected by experiment; PCK1 and CPT1 had greater expression in experiment 2 than in experiments 1 and 3. Expression of PCK2 was similar in experiments 2 and 3 but greater than experiment 1. Expression of HPT was similar in experiments 1 and 2 but greater than experiment 3. The mRNA expression of enzymes PCK1, PCK2, and CPT1 differed between experiments 1 and 2 and was negatively correlated with rumen propionate and butyrate but had a positive relationship with rumen acetate. Similarly, rumen pH was different in experiments 1 and 2, averaging 5.69 in experiment 1 and 4.81 in experiment 2, and there was a negative correlation between mRNA expression of rate-limiting gluconeogenic PCK1, PCK2, and ß-oxidation CPT1 enzymes and rumen pH of calves in experiments 1 and 2. We concluded that the physical form of oats in calf starter did not affect gene expression of gluconeogenic and ß-oxidation enzymes in preweaned dairy calves. However, lower rumen pH may be related to the upregulation of these enzymes.