An evaluation of detailed animal characteristics influencing the lactation production efficiency of spring-calving, pasture-based dairy cattle.

Selection for feed efficiency, the ratio of output (e.g., milk yield) to feed intake, has traditionally been limited on commercial dairy farms by the necessity for detailed individual animal intake and performance data within large animal populations. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effects of individual animal characteristics (animal breed, genetic potential, milk production, body weight (BW), daily total dry matter intake (TDMI), and energy balance) on a cost-effective production efficiency parameter calculated as the annual fat and protein (milk solids) production per unit of mid-lactation BW (MSperBWlact). A total of 1,788 individual animal intake records measured at various stages of lactation (early, mid, and late lactation) from 207 Holstein-Friesian and 200 Jersey × Holstein-Friesian cows were used. The derived efficiency traits included daily kilograms of milk solids produced per 100 kg of BW (dMSperBWint) and daily kilograms of milk solids produced per kilogram of TDMI (dMSperTDMI). The TDMI per 100 kg of BW was also calculated (TDMI/BWint) at each stage of lactation. Animals were subsequently either ranked as the top 25% (Heff) or bottom 25% (Leff) based on their lactation production efficiency (MSperBWlact). Dairy cow breed significantly affected animal characteristics over the entire lactation and during specific periods of intake measurements. Jersey crossbred animals produced more milk, based on a lower TDMI, and achieved an increased intake per kilogram of BW. Similarly, Heff produced more milk over longer lactations, weighed less, were older, and achieved a higher TDMI compared with the Leff animals. Both Jersey × Holstein-Friesian and Heff cows achieved superior production efficiency due to lower maintenance energy requirements, and consequentially increased milk solids production per kilogram of BW and per kilogram of TDMI at all stages of lactation. Indeed, within breed, Heff animals weighed 20 kg less and produced 15% more milk solids over the total lactation than Leff. In addition, Heff achieved increased daily milk solids yield (+0.16 kg) and milk solids yield per kilogram of TDMI (+ 0.23 kg/kg DM) during intake measurement periods. Moreover, the strong and consistently positive correlations between MSperBWlact and detailed production efficiency traits (dMSperBWint, dMSperTDMI) reported here demonstrate that MSperBWlact is a robust measure that can be applied within commercial grazing dairy systems to increase the selection intensity for highly efficient animals.

Multi-year evaluation of stocking rate and animal genotype on milk production per hectare within intensive pasture-based production systems.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of stocking rate (SR) and animal genotype (BR) on milk production, body weight (BW), and body condition score (BCS) within intensive pasture-based systems. A total of 533 lactation records, from 246 elite genetic merit dairy cows were available for analysis; 68 Holstein-Friesian (HF) and 71 Jersey × Holstein-Friesian (JxHF) crossbred cows in each of 4 consecutive years (2013-2016, inclusive). Cows from each BR were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 whole-farm comparative SR treatments, low (LSR; 1,200 kg of BW/ha), medium (MSR; 1,400 kg of BW/ha), and high (HSR; 1,600 kg of BW/ha), and remained in the same SR treatments for the duration of the experiment. The effects of SR, BR, and their interaction on milk production/cow and per hectare, BW, BCS, and grazing characteristics were analyzed. Total pasture utilization per hectare consumed in the form of grazed pasture increased linearly as SR increased: least in LSR (10,237 kg of dry matter/ha), intermediate in MSR (11,016 kg of dry matter/ha), and greatest in HSR (11,809 kg of dry matter/ha). Milk and milk solids (MS) yield per hectare was greatest for HSR (15,942 and 1,354 kg, respectively), intermediate for MSR (14,191 and 1,220 kg, respectively), and least for LSR (13,186 and 1,139 kg, respectively) with similar trends evident for fat, protein, and lactose yield/ha. At higher SR (MSR and HSR), MS yield per kg of BW per ha was reduced (0.85 and 0.82 kg of MS/kg of BW, respectively) compared with LSR (0.93 kg of MS/kg of BW/ha). Holstein-Friesian cows achieved fewer grazing days per hectare (-37 d), and produced more milk (+561 kg/ha) but less fat plus protein (-57 kg/ha) compared with JxHF cows; the JxHF cows were lighter. At similar BW per hectare, JxHF cows produced more fat plus protein/ha during the grazing season at low (1,164 vs. 1,113 kg), medium (1,254 vs. 1,185 kg), and high (1,327 vs. 1,380 kg) SR. In addition, JxHF cows produced more fat plus protein per kg of BW/ha (0.90 kg) compared with HF cows (0.84 kg). The results highlight the superior productive efficiency of high genetic potential crossbred dairy cows within intensive pasture-based production systems.

Effect of stocking rate and animal genotype on dry matter intake, milk production, body weight, and body condition score in spring-calving, grass-fed dairy cows.

The objective of the experiment was to quantify the effect of stocking rate (SR) and animal genotype on milk production, dry matter intake (DMI), energy balance, and production efficiency across 2 consecutive grazing seasons (2014 and 2015). A total of 753 records from 177 dairy cows were available for analysis: 68 Holstein-Friesian and 71 Jersey × Holstein-Friesian (JxHF) cows each year of the experiment under a pasture-based seasonal production system. Animals within each breed group were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 whole-farm SR treatments defined in terms of body weight per hectare (kg of body weight/ha): low (1,200 kg of body weight/ha), medium (1,400 kg of body weight/ha), and high (1,600 kg of body weight/ha), and animals remained in the same SR treatments for the duration of the experiment. Individual animal DMI was estimated 3 times per year at grass using the n-alkane technique: March (spring), June (summer), and September (autumn), corresponding to 45, 111, and 209 d in milk, respectively. The effects of SR, animal genotype, season, and their interactions were analyzed using mixed models. Milk production, body weight, and production efficiency per cow decreased significantly as SR increased due to reduced herbage availability per cow and increased grazing severity. As a percentage of body weight, JxHF cows had higher feed conversion efficiency, higher DMI and milk solids (i.e., kg of fat + kg of protein) production, and also required less energy intake to produce 1 kg of milk solids. The increased production efficiency of JxHF cows at a similar body weight per hectare in the current analysis suggests that factors other than individual cow body weight contribute to the improved efficiency within intensive grazing systems. The results highlight the superior productive efficiency of high genetic potential crossbred dairy cows within intensive pasture-based milk production systems at higher SR where feed availability is restricted.

Milk production and fertility performance of Holstein, Friesian, and Jersey purebred cows and their respective crosses in seasonal-calving commercial farms.

There is renewed interest in dairy cow crossbreeding in Ireland as a means to further augment productivity and profitability. The objective of the present study was to compare milk production and fertility performance for Holstein, Friesian, and Jersey purebred cows, and their respective crosses in 40 Irish spring-calving commercial dairy herds from the years 2008 to 2012. Data on 24,279 lactations from 11,808 cows were available. The relationship between breed proportion, as well as heterosis and recombination coefficients with performance, was quantified within a mixed model framework that also contained the fixed effects of parity; cow and contemporary group of herd-year-season of calving were both included as random effects in the mixed model. Breed proportion was associated with all milk production parameters investigated. Milk yield was greatest for Holstein (5,217kg), intermediate for Friesian (4,591kg), and least for Jersey (4,230kg), whereas milk constituents (i.e., fat and protein concentration) were greatest for Jersey (9.38%), intermediate for Friesian (7.91%), and least for Holstein (7.75%). Yield of milk solids in crossbred cows exceeded their respective parental average performance; greatest milk solids yield (i.e., fat kg + protein kg) was observed in the Holstein × Jersey first-cross, yielding 25kg more than the mid-parent mean. There was no consistent breed effect on the reproductive traits investigated. Relative to the mid-parent mean, Holstein × Jersey cows calved younger as heifers and had a shorter calving interval. Friesian × Jersey first-cross cows also had a shorter calving interval relative to their mid-parent mean. Results were consistent with findings from smaller-scale controlled experiments. Breed complementarity and heterosis attainable from crossbreeding resulted in superior animal performance and, consequently, greater expected profitability in crossbred cows compared with their respective purebreds.

Clinical training program for distributive pharmacists.

A training program to enable staff pharmacists in a state correctional system to shift their practice from distributive to clinical is described. Under a contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the University of Houston College of Pharmacy provides pharmaceutical services to 145,000 patients in 100 correctional facilities. An automated centralized distribution site was built in 1993 and four regional pharmacies were subsequently closed, resulting in the reallocation of eight distributive pharmacists positions to clinical services. Four of the eight pharmacists who would be displaced began a retraining program in preparation for decentralized clinical positions. The 18-month program, developed by university staff on contract to TDCJ and college faculty members, included 34 home-study modules, case studies, case presentations, seminars, and supervised practice experience. Three of the pharmacists completed the program, passed competency tests, and were certified for clinical practice privileges, including drug therapy assessment and written consultations. The three pharmacists now operate ambulatory care clinics at prison units. A clinical skills training program developed by a college of pharmacy correctional services division in cooperation with faculty members enabled staff pharmacists to convert their roles from distributive to clinical.

Impact of pharmacist-operated general medicine chronic care refill clinics on practitioner time and quality of care.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of pharmacist-operated refill clinics on practitioner (physician/physician assistant) time. Secondary objectives included assessment of disease state control, drug acquisition costs, and human resource allocation. DESIGN: The study ran from October 1, 1993 through January 31, 1994. At one clinic the pharmacist performed chart review only and did not see the patient. At the second site the pharmacist also interviewed the patient. The pharmacist used no treatment algorithms. Practitioner and pharmacist time before and after implementation of the refill clinics was measured on 3 consecutive days of normal clinic operation. SETTING: Two state correctional facilities. PATIENTS: The study population consisted of patients receiving chronic care who were observed during regular clinic hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We evaluated pharmacist and practitioner time before and after pharmacist involvement. Hypertension was the only disease state yielding sufficient numbers for statistical analysis. We used a two-tailed paired t-test with the priori level set at 0.05. We also evaluated the number of patients with disease state control before and after clinic implementation, drug acquisition costs, and human resource allocation. RESULTS: The refill clinic pharmacist reduced practitioner time commitment in both clinics. The greatest impact on practitioner time was found in the interview clinic. Quality of care was maintained equally between the two clinics, with a positive impact on human resource allocation. CONCLUSIONS: In the managed care environment, pharmacist-run refill clinics can decrease practitioner time commitment allowing reallocation of human resources while maintaining current quality of care.

Extramedullary blast crisis in chronic myelogenous leukemia. Demonstration of T-cell lineage and Philadelphia chromosome in a paraspinal tumor.

A case of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) with penetrance of the Ph1 molecular alteration into the T-cell lineage of a paraspinal tumor is reported. The T-cell nature of the paraspinal tumor was documented by immunochemical study and genotyping. The Philadelphia chromosome was also detected by genotyping in the same tumor cell population. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of extramedullary T-cell blast crisis in CML demonstrated in an extranodal tumor. The clinical significance of detecting extramedullary blast crisis, and the theories for the scarcity of T-cell transformation in CML are discussed.

L-tryptophan induced eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome.

We describe the spectrum of clinical and histologic abnormalities of 11 women with L-tryptophan induced eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. The illness is characterized by musculoskeletal symptoms including myalgias, arthralgias and paresthesias. The physical findings consist of muscle tenderness, neuropathies, rash, peripheral and periorbital edema. Electroneurography performed in 10 patients demonstrated a neuropathy in 5 and myopathic changes in 3. Skin and muscle biopsies showed fascial edema, inflammation and perivascular infiltrates in the skin, whereas perineural infiltrates and venulitis were identified in muscle. Seven patients were treated with prednisone; eosinophilia disappeared promptly although myalgias and neuropathy persisted.

Adenofibroma of the uterus: multiple recurrences following wide local excision.

The uterine adenofibroma is a form of mixed mesodermal tumor in which both epithelial and stromal components are benign. A case is presented in which a patient with this lesion was treated with excision of the tumor rather than hysterectomy. Two years later, she developed a recurrence of the lesion, which was again treated with wide local excision. A hysterectomy was done 9 months later, and a polypoid lesion was noted in the fundus of the uterus which on histologic examination was thought to be potentially either an adenofibroma precursor or a maturation of the previous cellular adenofibroma. Since uterine adenofibroma usually occurs in older patients, the standard treatment has been hysterectomy. Because of this patient's age, she was initially treated with a more conservative approach. However, despite the fact that the uterine adenofibroma is a benign lesion, it has an obvious potential to recur when treated conservatively.

Breast and axillary tissue MR imaging: correlation of signal intensities and relaxation times with pathologic findings.

We tested a variety of inversion-recovery (IR) and spin-echo (SE) sequences by imaging the breast masses of 22 patients before surgery and 23 tissue specimens with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 0.6 T to determine the most effective pulse sequences to evaluate breast disease. An SE pulse sequence using a long repetition time (TR) of 1,600 msec and a long echo time (TE) of 90 msec was found to be the most sensitive in depicting carcinoma in the excised tissue specimens, with all of the carcinomas (n = 15) demonstrating irregular areas of higher signal intensity (SI) than that of the adjacent fat. However, only five of 11 breast carcinomas present in the preoperative patients produced a higher SI than that produced by fat on the same T2-weighted sequence. Five of the remaining six carcinomas in the preoperative patients appeared as localized distortions of fibroductular architecture on both T2-weighted SE and IR sequences. In axillary tissue specimens, both metastatic carcinoma and hyperplastic lymph nodes produced a high SI on T2-weighted SE sequences. However, metastatic carcinoma had a significantly longer T2 relaxation time than did hyperplastic lymph nodes.