A liquid-culture-based screening approach to study compounds affecting inflammatory processes in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Discovery of biomedical drugs makes use of novel biological sources of limited availability and is often in need of fast, small-scale initial screening approaches. Here, we present a screening, based on the reporter Caenorhabditis elegans strain IG692, for identification of anti- and pro-inflammatory properties. The elaborated workflow is based on cultivation in fluid and by this, allows fast and reproducible seeding in 96 well plates. LPS and dexamethasone served as reliable controls, comparable to application in the human cell line THP-1. This in vivo approach offers a first step for selection of e.g. natural products or for repurposing of compounds from drug libraries and by this can serve as a tool in drug discovery for inflammatory human diseases.

Comparative study on the chemical composition of different bones/parts of bones in growing pigs differently supplied with inorganic phosphorus and phytase.

From the veterinarian point of view, the precise assessment of the phosphorus (P) supply of pigs is of great interest, especially in cases of clinical disorders like 'leg weakness' or lameness when bone mineralisation may be disturbed. Thus, the question arises which bone is most suitable for diagnostic purposes and is reflecting changes in dietary P supply most clearly. Thirty-six growing pigs (BHZP db.Viktoria x Piétrain, about eleven weeks old, mean bw: 28.3 ± 3.44 kg) were allotted to three groups differently supplied with P by receiving a diet either supplemented with inorganic P (iP) and phytase (500 FTU/kg; controls/group C), without iP but phytase added (500 FTU/kg; group 1) or containing only endogenous phytase (group 2). The inclusion of iP resulted in total P contents in diets for group C of 4.76 and 4.23 g/kg as fed from 28 to 57 and >57 kg body weight (bw), respectively. In diets for group 1 and 2, the corresponding P contents were 3.08/2.72 g/kg as fed (group 1) and 3.08/2.88 g/kg as fed (group 2). On days 26, 47 and 82 of the dietary treatment, four pigs of each group were euthanised. Furthermore, four additional pigs were euthanised one day before starting the experiment. Standardised samples of the femur (distal part), tibia/fibula (proximal part) and os metatarsale III (MT III, in toto) were taken during dissection and submitted to chemical analysis. At all time points, pigs of group C had significantly higher ash contents in all types of bone samples compared to pigs from group 1 and 2. Relative differences between means of groups (C = 100%) were less for the ash content in MT III (reduction by up to -9.1%) compared to the distal femur and the proximal tibia/fibula (reduction by up to -23.2 resp. -22.7%). Variation coefficient (irrespective of group and time point) was lower for ash content in MT III (4.29%) compared to the distal femur and the proximal tibia/fibula (both: 11.8%). Under the conditions of this study, ash contents of the distal femur and the proximal tibia/fibula reflected the different P supply more pronounced indicating higher sensitivity compared to MT III.

[Consequences of high ambient temperatures for lactating dairy cows - an issue under practical conditions in Northern Germany?] / Auswirkungen hoher Umgebungstemperaturen auf laktierende Milchkühe ­ unter praxisüblichen Bedingungen in Norddeutschland von Bedeutung?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the presented study was to gather quantitative data regarding the impact of high ambient temperatures on dairy cows under practical conditions in southern Lower Saxony. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In summer 2018 (from mid of July to end of September), the climatic conditions in the dairy barn as well as the temperatures of feeds (silages and partial mixed ration, PMR) and feed leftovers were recorded on the Farm for Education and Research of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover in Ruthe. Furthermore, daily dry matter intake (of PMR) and milk yield on herd basis as well as respiration rate and rectal temperature of 10 selected cows were measured as indicators for heat stress. RESULTS: During a heat period (daily average temperature up to 27.9° C) dry matter intake (PMR) and milk yield were reduced by about 15 % and 8 %, respectively although ambient temperatures had already been relatively high at the beginning of the observation period (daily average temperature between 19.6 and 23.0° C). Daily dry matter intake of PMR was NEGATIVELY: correlated with daily average temperature-humidity index in the barn (Spearman's correlation coefficient: -0.774, p < 0.0001) and POSITIVELY: correlated with daily milk yield (Spearman's correlation coefficient: 0.766, p < 0.0001). Correlation coefficients were slightly higher when a 1-day time lag was considered (Spearman's correlation coefficient: -0.796 and 0.800, respectively; p < 0.0001). During the heat period hyperthermia (> 39° C) was frequently recorded in lactating cows (up to 100 %). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The presented results indicate that heat stress in dairy cows may occur to a considerable extent under extreme climatic conditions also in the region of Northern Germany. In consequence, this is associated with a significant decrease in performance. As severe and long-lasting effects of heat stress on health and performance of dairy cows are well described in the literature, especially the temporarily high prevalence of hyperthermia should be taken seriously. Under these circumstances, differentiating between hyperthermia and fever is of special importance for veterinary practitioners.

[Feed refusal in fattening bulls because of maize silage contamination by Jimson weed (Datura stramonium)]. / Futterverweigerung bei Mastbullen durch eine Kontamination der Maissilage mit Gewöhnlichem Stechapfel (Datura stramonium).

A sudden decrease in feed intake (within 24 hours) without an impaired general condition occurred on a bull-rearing and -fattening farm in western Germany in December 2017. One day later, some of the bulls displayed signs of ruminal tympany (free gas bloat) and the reduction in feed intake became more severe. The maize silage was recognized as the cause of the observed symptoms, because clinical signs first appeared after taking the silage from a different localization within the bunker silo. Maize in this particular section was harvested from a separate area previously affected by wind damage (numerous bent maize plants), where no crop protection (herbicide application) was performed. Fruits and seeds of Jimson weed were identified in the incriminated maize silage samples. Following replacement of the contaminated parts of the maize silage with non-contaminated material and treatment of the clinically affected animals (anti-tympanic medication plus live yeast preparation), the feed intake returned to the normal level and the affected animals recovered within 6 days. The cause of the symptoms was probably the anti-nutritive properties of Datura stramonium that affect the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract.