Hurricane season hindsight 2020: Applying the IDEA model toward local tropical cyclone forecasts.

Hurricane Laura began as a disorganized tropical depression in August 2020. Early forecast guidance showed that the tropical cyclone could either completely dissipate or strengthen to a major hurricane as it approached the United States Gulf Coast. While this uncertainty was known by meteorologists, it was not necessarily communicated to the public in a direct manner.

Efficacy of oral administration of specific immunoglobulins in preventing neonatal calf diarrhoea in dairy herds.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of bovine concentrated lactoserum (BCL) containing specific immunoglobulin G against Escherichia coli, rotavirus and coronavirus in preventing neonatal calf diarrhoea (NCD).

Methods: A total of 489 newborn calves from 35 herds were orally given either BCL or a placebo before the first feeding of colostrum and clinically supervised by the farmers for the first 14 days of life. The diarrhoea score was defined according to the following criteria: 0 = no diarrhoea; 1 = light diarrhoea without medical treatment; 2 = diarrhoea requiring oral treatment (rehydration and/or antibiotic therapy); and 3 = severe diarrhoea requiring parenteral rehydration or resulting in death.

Pandemic politics: Exploring the intersection of state political affiliation and public universities' COVID-19 policies and messaging.

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread within the United States, the challenge of responding to a large-scale health crisis was compounded as the federal government struggled to deliver a unified response. Decision-making powers for pandemic protocols were passed to individual states, whose responses were heavily influenced by their administrations' partisan political leanings. This study explores differences in the transparency of COVID-19 information on university websites and the restrictiveness of the measures they implemented by examining university messaging in all-Republican and all-Democrat controlled states.

Detection of treponemes in digital dermatitis lesions of captive European bison (Bison bonasus).

A newly-discovered foot disease of unknown origin in captive European Bison (Bison bonasus) was recently detected at Berne Animal Park. Dermatitis of the interdigital cleft of varying degrees of severity was diagnosed in all animals (n = 10). The aim of this study was to describe the gross and histological lesions of the interdigital cleft found in 10 captive European bison and to identify involved potential pathogens in affected feet using molecular-based methods for Treponema spp.

Apparent prevalence of and risk factors for infection with Ostertagia ostertagi, Fasciola hepatica and Dictyocaulus viviparus in Swiss dairy herds.

Infections with helminth parasites can negatively affect performance of dairy cows. Knowledge on infection intensity, spatial distributions and risk factors are key to develop targeted treatment strategies. Canada and most EU countries have conducted large investigations, but respective data for Switzerland were missing.

Leucine in food mediates some of the postprandial rise in plasma leptin concentrations.

In vitro, leptin secretion is regulated at the level of mRNA translation by the rapamycin-sensitive mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its agonist leucine (Leu). Studies were conducted on meal-trained rats to evaluate the potential physiological relevance of these in vitro findings and the role of Leu in affecting rises in plasma leptin observed after a meal. In the first study, we correlated changes in plasma insulin and Leu to mTOR-signaling pathway activation and plasma leptin at different times during meal feeding.

Comparison of methods to evaluate the energy supply in dairy herds.

Different methods to evaluate the nutritional and metabolic status in dairy herds are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate three different methods to assess the energy status of the herd: 1) the calculation of the energy balance of the herd with a new method based on the Swiss standard calculations, 2) the "efficiency of the feeding management" based on milk yield and milk protein content (%) obtained from DHI data, and 3) the percentage of cows per herd with an average milk yield (16-25 kg/day), but a low milk protein (< 3.2 %).

Myoelectric activity of the spiral colon in dairy cows.

Objective: To describe myoelectric activity of the spiral colon in healthy cows.

Animals: 7 lactating Simmental X Red-Holstein crossbred cows.

Procedure: Cows were implanted with 7 pairs of bipolar silver electrodes (4 in the spiral colon and 1 each in the cecum, distal part of the ileum, and proximal loop of the ascending colon [PLAC]).

Myoelectric activity in the intestines of healthy dairy cows during the recovery period after implantation of permanent electrodes.

Objective: To describe myoelectric patterns in the intestines of cows after electrode implantation.

Animals: 7 lactating Simmental-Red Holstein cows.

Procedure: Cows were implanted with 7 pairs of bipolar silver electrodes (1 each in the ileum, cecum, and proximal loop of the ascending colon (PLAC) and 4 in the spiral colon).

Expression of interleukin 4, interleukin 4 splice variants and interferon gamma mRNA in calves experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica.

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is expected to play a dominant role in the development of T helper (Th) 2 cells. Th2 immune responses with expression of relatively large amounts of interleukin 4 (IL-4) but little interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) are characteristic for chronic helminth infections. But no information is available about IL4 expression during early Fasciola hepatica (F.

Evaluation of biochemical methods for estimating the sodium intake of dairy cows.

Samples of blood and urine were taken from 334 dairy cows in 29 herds, and the concentrations of sodium and potassium were measured in the serum and urine. The herds were split into five groups according to the amount of supplementary salt they were given: three groups given 10 to 20, 30 to 50 or 70 to 100 g salt per day, and two groups fed an ad libitum supply, given either in bowls or in the form of salt blocks, which were replaced either regularly or irregularly. The groups which received 70 to 100 g of salt daily or were supplied regularly ad libitum had significantly higher urinary sodium concentrations than the other groups.

Spontaneous in vitro contractile activity of specimens from the abomasal wall of healthy cows and comparison among dairy breeds.

Objective: To characterize and compare in vitro contractility patterns of sections of abomasal wall harvested from cattle of 3 dairy breeds.

Sample Population: Longitudinal and circular smooth muscle preparations harvested from the antrum and body of the abomasum of 30 recently slaughtered Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Simmental X Red Holstein cows.

Procedure: Spontaneous isometric contractions of specimens in tissue baths of modified Krebs solution were recorded during a 4-hour period.

Effects of an abrupt increase of starch-rich concentrates in the diet of dairy cows on concentrations of volatile fatty acids in the rumen and large intestine and on myoelectric activity of the spiral colon.

Objectives: To describe the effects of an abrupt increase of concentrates in the diet of dairy cows on myoelectric activity of the spiral colon and on fermentation patterns in the rumen and large intestine.

Animals: 6 healthy lactating Simmental x Red-Holstein cows.

Procedures: The diet of 6 cows implanted with bipolar electrodes in the spiral colon was changed from hay only to a ration of 50% hay:50% starch-rich concentrates during a period of 60 hours.

Influence of activation and germination on high pressure inactivation of ascospores of the mould Eurotium repens.

We investigated heat activation and germination of Eurotium repens ascospores to follow high pressure inactivation. Activation energy and entropy values strengthen the idea of protein denaturation as the underlying mechanism of heat activation. Preceding activation, germination or a combination of both affected high pressure inactivation in different ways.

Comparison of thelotomy and theloscopic triangulation for the treatment of distal teat obstructions in dairy cows--a retrospective study (1994-1998).

The medical records of 56 cows suffering from teat obstructions in the area of the rosette of Fürstenberg were reviewed; 22 were treated by thelotomy and 34 by theloscopic triangulation and the long-term results were reviewed by telephone conversations with the owners up to four years after the surgery. The milk flow at the fourth milking session after surgery was significantly better in the cows treated by theloscopy and, as a result, fewer of these cows required the teat sphinder to be cut. The cows treated by theloscopy also stayed in hospital for a significantly shorter period and suffered fewer episodes of mastitis.

Interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 mRNA expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from pregnant and non-pregnant cattle seropositive for bovine viral diarrhea virus.

The acceptance of the fetal allograft by pregnant women and mice seems to be associated with a shift from a Th 1 dominated to a Th 2 dominated immune response to certain infectious agents. The goal of this study was to examine cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cattle immune to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) to determine whether pregnancy also has an influence on the type of immune response in this species. Forty-six heifers and cows between 14 months and 13 years of age were included in this study.

The course of selected bone resorption marker concentrations in response to short-term hypocalcemia experimentally induced with disodium EDTA infusions in dairy cows.

The collagen metabolites hydroxyproline (HYP), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and the carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) are suitable markers for bone resorption in humans and several animal species. The purpose of this study was to describe the course of bone resorption markers during short-term hypocalcemia induced with disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na2EDTA) and to investigate whether bone resorption is increased in dairy cows under these conditions. EDTA infusions have been used as a model for periparturient paresis in dairy cows and to estimate the calcium mobilization rate from body reserves in ruminants.

Effect of different doses of prostaglandin E2 on intrauterine pressure and uterine motility during diestrus in experimental cows.

Studies in human medicine proved the important role of prostaglandin E2, which stimulates uterine contractions in vivo and in vitro and has been extensively used to ripen the cervix around labor. We wanted to demonstrate that increasing the dosage of prostaglandin E2 (1.25 mg, 2.

Biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption around parturition and during lactation in dairy cows with high and low standard milk yields.

Substantial changes occur in skeletal metabolism during lactation. These dynamic changes are monitored with biochemical bone markers. The goal of the present study was to follow these changes in lactating cows and to investigate whether cows with a higher milk yield have a higher mobilization rate of calcium from bone.

Effect of sodium butyric acid, sodium valerianic acid, and osmolarity on contractility of specimens of intestinal wall obtained from the cecum and spiral colon of healthy cows.

Objective: To compare the effect of various concentrations of sodium butyric acid and sodium valerianic acid, as well as various osmolarities, on contractility of ex-vivo intestinal wall specimens obtained from the cecum and spiral colon of each of several healthy cows.

Sample Population: Full-thickness preparations of intestinal wall, dissected parallel to the longitudinal smooth muscle layers, harvested from freshly slaughtered healthy cows.

Procedure: Specimens of intestinal wall were incubated for 5 minutes with various concentrations of sodium butyric acid and sodium valerianic acid as well as various osmolar concentrations of NaCl, using a crossover design.

Allergen-specific IgE levels against crude mould and storage mite extracts and recombinant mould allergens in sera from horses affected with chronic bronchitis.

Immunoglobulin E antibody (IgE) levels against four recombinant (r) mould allergens (r-Aspergillus fumigatus [rAsp f] 7, 8 and 9; r-Alternaria alternata 1 [rAlta1]) and crude mould (Aspergillus fumigatus, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium notatum) and storage mite extracts were determined by ELISA in sera from 24 pulmonary sound control horses and 26 horses suffering from chronic bronchitis/bronchiolitis (CB), also called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Serum IgG and IgA titres were also determined against Aspergillus fumigatus extract and rAsp f 8.IgE against the crude extracts could be measured in all sera, but there was no significant difference between CB-affected and control horses.

Concentration of volatile fatty acids in digesta samples obtained from healthy cows and cows with cecal dilatation or dislocation.

Objective: To compare concentrations of acetic, propionic, butyric, and i- and n-valerianic acids in digesta samples obtained from the rumen, cecum, proximal loop of the ascending colon (PLAC), and rectum of healthy cows and cows with cecal dilatation or dislocation (CDD).

Animals: 20 cows with CDD and 20 healthy cows.

Procedure: Samples were collected from all sites during surgical correction of CDD and also from the rectum 1, 2, and 3 days after surgery (group CDD).

Effect of cow-specific factors and feeding frequency of concentrate on diurnal variations of blood metabolites in dairy cows.

Objective: To determine the effect of feeding frequency and cow-specific factors on diurnal variations of blood metabolites concentrations.

Animals: 40 dairy cows from 2 herds.

Procedure: Each herd was fed concentrate at a specific feeding frequency (automatic vs twice daily).