Early supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 in newborn dairy calves increases IgA production in the intestine at 1 week of age.

The early development of immunity and microbiota in the gut of newborn calves can have life-long consequences. Gut microbiota and the intestinal barrier interplay after birth, establishing a homeostatic state whereby mucosal cells cohabit with microorganisms to develop a healthy gut. We hypothesized that postnatal codevelopment of gut immunity and microbiota could be influenced by early-life supplementation with live yeast. Starting from birth, calves either received a daily supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 (SCB, 10 × 109 cfu/d, n = 10) in the morning meal for 7 d or no supplementation (n = 10). Each animal received 2 adequate colostrum replacer meals at 2 and 12 h of life (expected total IgG fed = 300 g) before being fed milk replacer twice a day. Passive transfer of immunity (total protein, IgG, and IgA) through colostrum was evaluated and endogenous production of IgA was investigated by measuring IgA-producing plasma cells, IgA relative gene expression (PIGR and CD79A), and secretory IgA concentration in the gut. The concentration of targeted microbial groups was evaluated with quantitative PCR in the gut digesta collected at d 7 of life. Early SCB supplementation did not impair immunoglobulin absorption and all calves had successful passive transfer of immunity (serum IgG concentration >15 mg/mL at d 1 and d 7 of age). Although the expression of IgA relative gene expression (PIGR and CD79A) was not different, SCB calves had higher secretory IgA concentrations in the ileum (1.98 ± 0.12 mg/g of dry matter; DM) and colon (1.45 ± 0.12 mg/g of DM) digesta compared with control animals (1.18 and 0.59 ± 0.12 mg/g of DM, respectively). In addition, the number of IgA-producing plasma cells were greater in both ileum (2.55 ± 0.40 cells/mm2) and colon (3.03 ± 0.40 cells/mm2) tissues for SCB calves compared with control (respectively 1.00 ± 0.40 and 0.60 ± 0.42 cells/mm2). Endogenous IgA production in the gut of SCB calves was enhanced, which could make them less prone to pathogen intrusion. In addition, SCB calves had higher Lactobacillus and tended to have higher Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in the jejunum compared with control calves, which suggests that SCB supplementation during early-life gut colonization may have a positive effect in newborn calves. Direct SCB supplementation or the cross-talk between SCB and bacteria may be responsible for stimulating IgA production and may play a key role in shaping early colonization in the gut of newborn calves.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 affects health, growth, and fecal microbiota in milk-fed veal calves.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of one specific strain of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 (SCB), on the growth performance, health, and fecal bacterial profile of veal calves. A total of 84 animals were enrolled in an experiment at a commercial veal farm for a total of 7 wk. Calves were fed twice a day with a milk replacer meal during the entire experiment and were randomly assigned to receive daily either SCB supplementation (10 × 109 cfu/d) or a placebo (CON). Individual feed intake and body weight were monitored on a daily and weekly basis, respectively. Fecal samples were collected at arrival to the veal facility (wk 0) and additional samples were taken on d 14 (wk 2) and d 49 (wk 7). These samples were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing using Illumina MiSeq (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA) to examine the bacterial profiles and real-time quantitative PCR to quantify Saccharomyces cerevisiae and specific bacterial groups. The significant increase of S. cerevisiae in the feces of SCB calves at wk 2 and 7 compared with wk 0 (respectively 1.7 × 107, 1.2 × 107, and 2.2 × 105 copy number of S. cerevisiae/g of feces) indicates a good survival of that yeast strain along the gastrointestinal tract. Supplementation of SCB did not improve overall growth performance with regard to average daily gain (ADG), final body weight, and feed intake. Nevertheless, a total of 69.1% of nonsupplemented calves had diarrhea and 28.6% experienced severe diarrhea, whereas 50.0% of the calves supplemented with SCB had diarrhea and 9.5% experienced severe diarrhea. With respect to antibiotic use, 89.7% of the diarrheic calves recorded in the CON group were treated, whereas only 66.7% of the SCB diarrheic calves received an antibiotic. In addition, diarrheic calves supplemented with SCB maintained an ADG similar to nondiarrheic animals, whereas the CON diarrheic calves had a significantly lower ADG in comparison with nondiarrheic CON calves. Fecalibacterium was the most predominant bacterial genus in fecal samples of nondiarrheic and diarrheic calves supplemented with SCB, whereas fecal microbiota was predominated by Collinsella in diarrheic calves from the CON group. Live yeast supplementation in milk replacer led to a decrease of diarrhea in milk-fed veal calves and the fecal microbiota of diarrheic calves maintained a healthy community similar to nondiarrheic animals, with Fecalibacterium being the predominant genus.

Supervised learning events: direct observation of procedural skills pilot.

BACKGROUND: Workplace-based assessment (WBA) is the assessment of specialist competence based on what a trainee doctor actually does in the workplace. Between January 2014 and January 2015, all UK occupational medicine (OM) trainees were invited to test a suite of direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS) tools designed in a supervised learning event (SLE) format. The Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) Workplace-Based Assessment Advisory Group (WBAAG) studied feedback on the new format. AIMS: To assess the utility of the redesigned tools, including their acceptability, feasibility, usability and key aspects of their reliability and validity. METHODS: The face and content validity of the new forms were assessed by a comprehension trial (CT), inter-rater reliability by a video scoring exercise and usability and acceptability by an electronic survey of trainees and trainers. RESULTS: The CT of trainees and trainers indicated that the face and content validity of the revised tools were acceptable. Inter-rater reliability video assessments indicated there was consistency of grading among trainers. Sixty-eight per cent of trainees and 95% of trainers agreed that the redesigned tools were an improvement on the current WBA DOPS tools and 83% of trainees indicated the new tools encouraged them to reflect on their performance. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this pilot study provided evidence to support a request to the General Medical Council (GMC) for the new SLE-DOPS forms to be used for WBA in OM. These changes were accepted by the GMC in January 2016 for implementation in April 2016.

Occupational egg allergy in an embryological research facility.

BACKGROUND: Hen and quail eggs are commonly used in embryological research. While immunoglobin E (IgE)-associated allergy to hens' egg proteins is recognized in employees in the food industry, there are no previous reports from workers in embryological research. Two newly identified cases prompted us to examine the extent of this problem in a university laboratory. AIMS: To determine the prevalence and determinants of sensitization to egg among a group of workers in an embryological research laboratory. METHODS: Following the identification of egg sensitization in two research workers, we surveyed 116 employees from a single embryology research laboratory in 2005. Sensitization to egg was assessed by skin prick tests and/or specific IgE measurement and examined in relation to a number of potential determinants, including the extent of appropriate control measures. RESULTS: Four employees were sensitized to egg, each with digestive symptoms of egg allergy. All had worked directly with eggs, giving a prevalence of specific sensitization in that group of 6.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) [1.7%, 14.8%]). There was a statistically significant trend for those sensitized to report a shorter duration of exposure to eggs and less frequent use of hygiene control measures to reduce exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Sensitization to eggs among those occupationally exposed to egg protein in research work occurs more commonly than in the general population. The presence of digestive symptoms after eating eggs may be indicative of sensitization to egg and should be incorporated into health evaluation of exposed workers.

Spatial autocorrelation and the scaling of species-environment relationships.

Issues of residual spatial autocorrelation (RSA) and spatial scale are critical to the study of species-environment relationships, because RSA invalidates many statistical procedures, while the scale of analysis affects the quantification of these relationships. Although these issues independently are widely covered in the literature, only sparse attention is given to their integration. This paper focuses on the interplay between RSA and the spatial scaling of species-environment relationships. Using a hypothetical species in an artificial landscape, we show that a mismatch between the scale of analysis and the scale of a species' response to its environment leads to a decrease in the portion of variation explained by environmental predictors. Moreover, it results in RSA and biased regression coefficients. This bias stems from error-predictor dependencies due to the scale mismatch, the magnitude of which depends on the interaction between the scale of landscape heterogeneity and the scale of a species' response to this heterogeneity. We show that explicitly considering scale effects on RSA can reveal the characteristic scale of a species' response to its environment. This is important, because the estimation of species-environment relationships using spatial regression methods proves to be erroneous in case of a scale mismatch, leading to spurious conclusions when scaling issues are not explicitly considered. The findings presented here highlight the importance of examining the appropriateness of the spatial scales used in analyses, since scale mismatches affect the rigor of statistical analyses and thereby the ability to understand the processes underlying spatial patterning in ecological phenomena.

An evaluation of Brix refractometry instruments for measurement of colostrum quality in dairy cattle.

Acquisition of high quality colostrum is an important factor influencing neonatal calf health. Many methods have been used to assess the Ig concentration of colostrum; however, improved, validated evaluation tools are needed. The aims of this study were to evaluate both optical and digital Brix refractometer instruments for the measurement of Ig concentration of colostrum as compared with the gold standard radial immunodiffusion assay laboratory assessment and to determine the correlation between Ig measurements taken from fresh and frozen colostrum samples for both Brix refractometer instruments. This research was completed using 288 colostrum samples from 3 different farms. It was concluded that the optical and digital Brix refractometers were highly correlated for both fresh and frozen samples (r=0.98 and r=0.97, respectively). Correlation between both refractometer instruments for fresh and frozen samples and the gold standard radial immunodiffusion assay were determined to be very similar, with a correlation coefficient between 0.71 and 0.74. Both instruments exhibited excellent test characteristics, indicating an appropriate cut-off point of 22% Brix score for the identification of good quality colostrum.

Effects of diet and bovine somatotropin on heifer growth and mammary development.

Forty Holstein heifers [body weight (BW) = 126 kg] were blocked by BW into groups of 4, and, within each block, heifers were randomly assigned to one of four treatments. Twenty heifers had ad libitum access to a diet formulated to produce a BW gain of 0.8 kg/d (control diet), and 20 heifers had ad libitum access to a diet formulated to produce a BW gain of 1.2 kg/d. (high diet). Half of the heifers fed each diet were injected daily with bovine somatotropin (bST; 25 micrograms/ kg of BW). The high diet increased daily BW gain as well as body condition score. Injection of bST also increased daily BW gain, but did not affect body condition score. The high diet reduced age at puberty by 58 d, but did not affect BW, withers height at puberty, or pelvic area at slaughter. Injection of bST had no effect on age at puberty, but increased BW, withers height at puberty, and pelvic area at slaughter. The high diet did not affect mammary parenchymal DNA, RNA, or the ratio of RNA to DNA. The injection of bST increased mammary parenchymal DNA, RNA, and the ratio of RNA to DNA. The high diet was more cost effective for rearing dairy heifers from 120 d of age to potential breeding size (> or = 363 kg of BW and postpubertal) than was the control diet. In conclusion, the high protein, high energy diet increased growth rate without detrimental effects on mammary development. Injection of bST increased BW, skeletal size, and mammary development.

Relationship between body condition scores and milk yield in a large dairy herd of high yielding Holstein cows.

This study investigated the relationship between body condition and milk yield of dairy cows. Holstein cows (n = 779) on a commercial dairy farm were scored for body condition weekly beginning at dry-off and continuing until 120 d of lactation. Multiple linear regression and principal component analysis were used to characterize relationships. Mean body condition scores were 2.77 and 2.66 at dry-off and parturition, respectively. Principal component analysis was used to reduce the collinearity among independent variables, to calculate new parameter estimates, and to rank the relationship of each variable with milk yield. Results indicated that change in body condition during the dry period was ranked first, followed by lactation number, and then body condition score at dry-off for multiparous cows. A one-point increase in body condition score between dry-off and parturition was associated with 545.5 kg more milk in the first 120 d of lactation. Each additional point of body condition at dry-off was associated with 300 kg less milk at 120 d of lactation. Results suggested that cows that gained condition during the dry period yielded more milk in the first 120 d of lactation and had an accelerated rate of increase in milk yield. The results of this study indicate that body condition score is an important tool for monitoring dairy herds.

Relationship between body condition scores and conception at first artificial insemination in a large dairy herd of high yielding Holstein cows.

This study investigated the relationship between changes in body condition during the dry period and early lactation and conception to first postpartum AI. Holstein cows (n = 720) on a commercial dairy farm were scored weekly for body condition beginning at dry-off and continuing until first AI. Occurrence of postpartum diseases was recorded. A multiple logistic regression model was a significant predictor of the success or failure of conception for multiparous cows, but not for primiparous cows. Principal component analysis reduced collinearity among independent variables and allowed the variables to be ranked based on their contribution to the interval from first AI to conception. The top three ranking variables were lactation number, milk yield at 120 d of lactation, and change in body condition score between parturition and wk 4 of lactation. Increased milk yield at 120 d of lactation was associated with an increased likelihood of conception, and decreased body condition during the 1st mo of lactation was associated with a decreased likelihood of conception. Health problems were less associated with conception than were body condition or milk yield in this herd. Body condition during the dry period and during the first 30 d of lactation is an important tool to identify cows at risk for failure to conceive at first AI.

Validation of body condition scores with ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat of dairy cows.

This research validated body condition scores with ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat. Fifty Holstein cows were evaluated during three sessions in 1993. Cows scored during each session were divided into three groups of 15 or 20 cows. Body condition scores were assigned by one trained individual, utilizing a five-point (1 = thin to 5 = fat) visual scoring technique. Cows were scored to the nearest quarter point. Ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat were obtained by another individual at the lumbar, thurl, and tailhead areas of both sides of the cow. Body condition scores and ultrasound measurements were collected on the same day, but obtained independently. Correlations between ultrasound measurements ranged from .36 to .86. Regression models were developed to validate the body condition scoring technique across the three cow groups. Group number and different combinations of ultrasound measurements were independent variables, and body condition score was the dependent variable. Ultrasound measurements were significantly associated with body condition scores. The coefficients of determination for the models ranged from .36 to .65, depending on which ultrasound measurements were included in the model. These results suggest that the body condition scoring technique used in this study was as valid as ultrasound techniques for measurement of subcutaneous fat.

An evaluation of apical leakage of a glass ionomer root canal sealer.

An in vitro dye leakage study was performed to compare the apical microleakage of a glass ionomer root canal sealer to Roth's 801 sealer. Forty-five single-rooted teeth were randomly divided into three groups: Ketac-Endo, Roth's 801, and the control group (no sealer). All groups were instrumented using a step-back technique and obturated with laterally condensed gutta-percha. The teeth were placed in a vacuum chamber under a pressure of 710 torr for 15 min and then immersed in India ink under vacuum for 24 h. The teeth were allowed to passively stain for 4 days and were cleared and evaluated for linear dye leakage using a binocular dissecting microscope. Statistical analysis revealed that sealer significantly improves the apical seal of laterally condensed gutta-percha. However, the apical seal exhibited by Ketac-Endo was not significantly different from that provided by Roth's 801 sealer.

Nutrient requirements versus supply in the dairy cow: strategies to account for variability.

Dairy producers must overcome substantial challenges to achieve milk outputs > 14,000 kg of milk/yr per cow within the next decade. To obtain high productivity, a more complete comprehension of the dynamics of metabolism, nutrient utilization, and nutrient absorption will enable better prediction of the efficiency of utilization of these nutrients. A better understanding of the dynamics of rumen function and a more accurate prediction of nutrient flow from the rumen are necessary. Grouping strategy and group feeding behavior influence cow productivity and farm profitability. Understanding of the variance of individual cow responses to management practice is critical. Feeding system design and management and diet formulation techniques need to be developed that recognize the dynamic nature of cow physiology and the variability in feedstuffs and cow requirements. These concepts need to be integrated into total farm management and require the use of new computer modeling technologies.

Dye ingress in molars: furcation to chamber floor.

An in vitro dye leakage study was performed to determine the incidence of patent furcal accessory canals following exposure of the pulp chamber to 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. One hundred extracted molars were labeled, endodontically opened, and irrigated for 1 h at 5-min intervals. The external furcations were exposed to 0.5% basic fuchsin for 24 h. Patency was determined by dye presence on the chamber floor. Statistical analysis revealed that first and second molars, regardless of arch position or location, demonstrated a patent accessory canal at a rate of 57% +/- 19.6% in the furcal area. It was concluded that accessory canal exposure to 5.25% sodium hypochlorite in the furcal area of molars produced patency which was demonstrable via passive methods--no vacuum or injection pressures were utilized.

Pulpal evaluation of teeth restored with fixed prostheses.

The literature demonstrates that each of the elements of crown fabrication involves possible and probable insult to the pulpal tissues of the tooth. Preparation of the tooth can result in pulpal inflammation or even burn lesions. The impression technique can result in reduction of the odontoblastic layer caused by drying of the dentin. Temporary coverage of the preparation involves the use of self-curing resins and temporary cements, both of which can irritate the pulp. The final restoration is attached with cements that are often implicated in pulpal irritation. Dental caries and the procedures necessary to remove it and restore the tooth before preparation for a fixed prosthesis can injure the pulp. This study was done to evaluate the effects of complete coverage fixed prosthetic restorations on the dental pulp. A recall letter was mailed to 1221 patients who had received a fixed partial denture or single crown during the years 1984-1988. One hundred thirty patients were examined. Each tooth was evaluated for pulpal health, periodontal integrity, and clinical acceptability of the restoration. Of the 603 teeth examined, 166 had undergone root canal therapy before placement of the restoration, leaving 437 that were crowned while vital. Of these, 25 (5.7%) were in need of root canal therapy or had undergone root canal therapy after cementation of the fixed prosthesis.

Sterilization and disinfection in the physician's office.

OBJECTIVE: To review the principles and practice of sterilization and disinfection of medical instruments in the office setting. DATA SOURCES: Searches of MEDLINE for articles published from 1980 to 1990 on disinfection, sterilization, cross infection, surgical instruments and iatrogenic disease, bibliographies, standard texts and reference material located in a central processing department. STUDY SELECTION: We reviewed surveys of decontamination practices in physicians' offices, reviews of current recommendations for office decontamination procedures, case reports of cross infection in offices and much of the standard reference material on decontamination theory and practice. DATA SYNTHESIS: There have been few surveys of physicians' decontamination practices and few case reports of cross infection. Office practitioners have little access to practical information on sterilization and disinfection. CONCLUSION: The increasing threat of cross infection from medical instruments calls for greater knowledge about decontamination. We have adapted material from various sources and offer a primer on the subject.

Pain of dental origin.

Patients experience oral pain in ways that make an accurate diagnosis difficult. The same complaints can be caused by either dental or nonodontogenic diseases. The author systematically explores symptoms and etiologies to direct the health care provider to an accurate diagnosis and treatment.