Transition cow health and management in pasture-based dairy herds: A farmers' survey.

Seasonal-calving pasture-based systems characterize Irish dairy production. During the dry period, cows are housed and offered predominantly grass silage, providing unique transition cow management opportunities. This study aimed to describe transition period disease incidence and management strategies reported by farmers, and to evaluate their associations with herd size and calving pattern to inform and guide research activities and national advisory.

Herd-Level Risk Factors Associated with Serostatus in Youngstock on Irish Dairy Farms.

is a globally significant pathogen of cattle associated with a wide range of clinical syndromes, including respiratory disease, mastitis, arthritis, otitis, and reproductive failure. Since its detection in Ireland in 1994, has become a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in Irish cattle. This study aimed to investigate herd-level risk factors associated with seropositivity in replacement dairy heifers, using data from 105 Irish dairy herds.

Efficacy of rituximab in the treatment of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a chronic mucocutaneous disease that is mediated by antibodies that bind collagen VII. The treatment of EBA can be challenging and the use of multiple immunomodulatory drugs is often required. Rituximab has been reported to be an effective treatment for recalcitrant EBA, although the evidence base for this treatment is limited to case reports and case series.

Performance of various interpretations of clinical scoring systems for diagnosis of respiratory disease in dairy calves in a temperate climate using Bayesian latent class analysis.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) presents a challenge to farmers all over the globe, not only because it can have significant impacts on welfare and productivity, but also because diagnosis can prove challenging. Several clinical scoring systems have been developed to aid farmers in making consistent early diagnosis, 2 examples being the Wisconsin (WCS) and the California (CALIF) systems. Neither of these systems were developed in or for use in a temperate environment.

Relationships between pig farm management and facilities and lung lesions' scores and between lung lesions scores and carcass characteristics.

Background: The objective of this study was to examine the inter-relationships between pig farm management and facilities (as assessed by questionnaire) and post-mortem lung lesion (lung score assesment), which are the result of respiratory infections. The relationships between carcass characteristics and post-mortem lung lesion scores were also investigated.

Results: Questionnaire responses were collected from 22 self-selecting pig farmers about their farm facilities/management and health condition of the respiratory system of pigs, including the occurrence of clinical respiratory signs, results of laboratory testing for respiratory pathogens, and the use of respiratory vaccines.

Intranasal delivery of shRNA to knockdown the 5HT-2A receptor enhances memory and alleviates anxiety.

Short-hairpin RNAs (shRNA), targeting knockdown of specific genes, hold enormous promise for precision-based therapeutics to treat numerous neurodegenerative disorders. However, whether shRNA constructed molecules can modify neuronal circuits underlying certain behaviors has not been explored. We designed shRNA to knockdown the human HTR2A gene in vitro using iPSC-differentiated neurons.

Diagnostic Techniques in Autoimmune Blistering Diseases.

Autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBD) comprise a heterogeneous group of uncommon disorders of the skin and mucous membranes, characterised by antibodies targeting structural proteins within epithelial tissue and the underlying basement membrane. There can be significant overlap in clinical presentation of these diseases and accurate diagnosis relies on the detection and characterisation of relevant autoantibodies. Immunofluorescence provides the gold-standard diagnostic tool for these diseases, identifying both tissue-bound autoantibodies in biopsy material using direct immunofluorescence and circulating antibodies in serum through indirect immunofluorescence.

Academics meet practitioners: Interactive exchange instead of consuming knowledge on dairy calving management.

Consensus on optimal calving management is difficult to achieve among veterinarians. Some of this discordance may stem from asymmetry between the literature written by subject matter experts (SME) and the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of non-SMEs and veterinary practitioners. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess how veterinary practitioners KAPs in calving management compared with the findings in the literature.

Farmers' knowledge of Johne's disease and opinions of the Irish Johne's Control Programme: results of an online survey answered mostly by young farmers.

A voluntary control programme for Johne's disease, the Irish Johne's Control Programme (IJCP) has been implemented in Ireland since 2017. The objective of this observational study was to assess Irish beef and dairy farmers' Johne's disease knowledge, implemented management practices and IJCP opinions. A questionnaire open to dairy and beef farmers was distributed via social media and email.

Genetic modulation of the gene reduces anxiety-related behavior in mice.

The expanding field of precision gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 has demonstrated its potential as a transformative technology in the treatment of various diseases. However, whether this genome-editing tool could be used to modify neural circuits in the central nervous system (CNS), which are implicated in complex behavioral traits, remains uncertain. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of noninvasive, intranasal delivery of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vectors containing CRISPR/Cas9 cargo within the CNS resulting in modification of the receptor gene.

An observational study of ear-tagged calf mortality (1 to 100 days) on Irish dairy farms and associations between biosecurity practices and calf mortality on farms participating in a Johne's disease control program.

Postnatal mortality among replacement stock has a detrimental effect on the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of dairy production. Calf mortality rates vary between countries and show differences in temporal trends; most, however, are characterized by high levels of between-farm variability. Explaining this variation can be difficult because herd-level information on management practices relevant to calf health is often not available.

Welfare of dairy cows.

This Scientific Opinion addresses a European Commission's mandate on the welfare of dairy cows as part of the Farm to Fork strategy. It includes three assessments carried out based on literature reviews and complemented by expert opinion. Assessment 1 describes the most prevalent housing systems for dairy cows in Europe: tie-stalls, cubicle housing, open-bedded systems and systems with access to an outdoor area.

Immunobullous Transformation of Protracted Psoriasis: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare autoimmune disorder, characterised by the development of blistering lesions in the skin and mucosal surfaces throughout the body. It is often misdiagnosed or missed completely in many patients, prolonging their suffering for many years, as it has the ability to mimic an array of other skin diseases. Many studies have concluded that there is a strong association between pemphigus vulgaris and psoriasis, though the exact mechanism is not clearly understood.

Invited review: Bovine abortion-Incidence, risk factors and causes.

The true incidence of bovine abortion (42-260 days of gestation) is unknown because of under-reporting. This is particularly true of the first half of gestation when most abortions occur. From research studies, it is estimated that the animal-level incidence of abortion between day 45 and term is approximately 10%, being lower in suckler than in dairy cows.

Prevalence of respiratory disease in Irish preweaned dairy calves using hierarchical Bayesian latent class analysis.

Introduction: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) has a significant impact on the health and welfare of dairy calves. It can result in increased antimicrobial usage, decreased growth rate and reduced future productivity. There is no gold standard antemortem diagnostic test for BRD in calves and no estimates of the prevalence of respiratory disease in seasonal calving dairy herds.

Evaluation of Environmental Sampling for Detection of subspecies in the Pre-Weaned Calf Area and Calving Area of Infected Dairy Farms Enrolled in a Voluntary Johne's Disease Control Programme.

One of the pillars of Johne's disease control is to break the cycle of transmission from infectious adult animals to young susceptible animals. Many control programmes utilise a risk assessment and management plan (RAMP) to identify specific risks for transmission of infection on individual farms and then recommend tailored biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk. It is important that infected farms in particular, practice effective biocontainment in the calving area and pre-weaned calf area.

Risk factors for, and genetic association with, intestinal atresia in dairy calves.

Intestinal atresia is an under-diagnosed congenital defect in cattle. It results in complete occlusion of the intestinal lumen and, unless surgically corrected, results in death or euthanasia of the affected calf. There is limited information on the incidence of this condition or on risk factors, including predisposing alleles, associated with the defect.

Characterisation of eight cattle with Swyer syndrome by whole-genome sequencing.

Swyer syndrome is where an individual has the karyotype of a typical male yet is phenotypically a female. The lack of a (functional) SRY gene located on the Y-chromosome is implicated in some cases of the Swyer syndrome, although many Swyer individuals with an apparently fully functional SRY gene have also been documented. The present study undertook whole genome sequence analyses of eight cattle with suspected Swyer syndrome and compared their genome to that of both a control male and female.

Economic analysis of biosecurity adoption in dairy farming: evidence from Ireland.

Given the significant negative impact of livestock disease outbreaks on animal and public health, preventing disease spread through biosecurity practices is important. In this study, we used a nationally representative dataset that included information on biosecurity practices of almost 300 Irish dairy farmers. We applied parametric and nonparametric estimation methods to assess the economic implications of adopting the following biosecurity measures: vaccination, bulk tank milk testing for diseases, and not pooling colostrum.

Development of a syndromic surveillance system for Irish dairy cattle using milk recording data.

In the last decade and a half, emerging vector-borne diseases have become a substantial threat to cattle across Europe. To mitigate the impact of the emergence of new diseases, outbreaks must be detected early. However, the clinical signs associated with many diseases may be nonspecific.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in cattle - a review in the context of seasonal pasture-based dairy herds.

Johne's disease is an infectious disease affecting cattle, other ruminants and non-ruminant wildlife worldwide, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). This review provides an up-to-date concise overview of the pathogenesis of MAP, the significance of Johne's disease in cattle and the use of diagnostic testing at both animal and herd level in the context of seasonal pasture-based herds. While MAP can only replicate intracellularly, the bacterium is sufficiently robust to survive for months in the environment.

Epidermolysis bullosa aquisita following immune-checkpoint inhibitor treatment for metastatic melanoma.

A case of epidermolysis bullosa aquisita following immunotherapy for melanoma. This adds to the repertoire of subepidermal blistering disorders documented following immune checkpoint therapy.