Heritability and genetic correlations between enteric methane production and concentration recorded by GreenFeed and sniffers on dairy cows.

To reduce methane (CH) emissions of dairy cows by animal breeding, CH measurements have to be recorded on thousands of individual cows. Currently, several techniques are used to phenotype cows for CH, differing in costs and applicability. However, there is uncertainty about the agreement between techniques.

A diagnostic tool for self-poisoned patients: Analysis of gastric content and lavage fluids.

Approximately 500 patients per year are admitted to the emergency department (ED) of the Erasmus University Medical Center presenting with intoxications with medication. For adequate treatment, it is sometimes important to know which drugs in which quantities were ingested. This can require laboratory analysis of blood or urine samples; however, these samples do not provide information about the possible effects that can still be expected.

Applying a mechanistic fermentation and digestion model for dairy cows with emission and nutrient cycling inventory and accounting methodology.

In mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reducing the carbon footprint of dairy milk, the use of generic estimates in inventory and accounting methodology at farm level largely ignores variation of on-farm GHG emissions. The present study aimed to implement results of an extant dynamic, mechanistic Tier 3 model for enteric methane (CH4) (applied in Dutch national GHG inventory) in order to capture variation in enteric CH4 emission, and in faecal N and organic matter (OM) digestibility, ultimately required to predict manure CH4 and ammonia emission. Tier 3 model predictions were translated into calculation rules that could easily be implemented in an annual nutrient cycling assessment tool including GHG emissions, which is currently used by Dutch dairy farmers.

Precision Dosing of Doxapram in Preterm Infants Using Continuous Pharmacodynamic Data and Model-Based Pharmacokinetics: An Illustrative Case Series.

Introduction: Current drug dosing in preterm infants is standardized, mostly based on bodyweight. Still, covariates such as gestational and postnatal age may importantly alter pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Evaluation of drug therapy in these patients is very difficult because objective pharmacodynamic parameters are generally lacking.

Key challenges and priorities for modelling European grasslands under climate change.

Grassland-based ruminant production systems are integral to sustainable food production in Europe, converting plant materials indigestible to humans into nutritious food, while providing a range of environmental and cultural benefits. Climate change poses significant challenges for such systems, their productivity and the wider benefits they supply. In this context, grassland models have an important role in predicting and understanding the impacts of climate change on grassland systems, and assessing the efficacy of potential adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Milk urea concentration as an indicator of ammonia emission from dairy cow barn under restricted grazing.

Bulk milk urea concentration was evaluated to assess its potential as an indicator of ammonia emission from a dairy cow barn in a situation with restricted grazing. An experiment was carried out with a herd of, on average, 52 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. The cows were housed in a naturally ventilated barn with cubicles and a slatted floor, were fed ensiled forages and feed supplements, and each day were allowed 8.

Effects of genotype by environment interactions on milk yield, energy balance, and protein balance.

Increases in genetic merit for milk yield are associated with increases in mobilization of body reserves. This study assessed the effects of genotype by environment (GxE) interactions on milk yield and energy and protein balances. Heifers (n = 100) with high or low genetic merit for milk yield were milked 2 or 3 times a day and received rations of low or high caloric density.

Effect of graded doses and a high dose of microbial phytase on the digestibility of various minerals in weaner pigs.

An experiment with 224 weaner pigs (initial BW of 7.8 kg) was conducted to determine the effect of dose of dietary phytase supplementation on apparent fecal digestibility of minerals (P, Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Cu) and on performance. Four blocks, each with 8 pens of 7 pigs, were formed.

Effect of rumen-degradable protein balance and forage type on bulk milk urea concentration and emission of ammonia from dairy cow houses.

As the Dutch government and dairy farming sector have given priority to reducing ammonia emission, the effect of diet on the ammonia emission from dairy cow barns was studied. In addition, the usefulness of milk urea content as an indicator of emission reduction was evaluated. An experiment was carried out with a herd of 55 to 57 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows housed in a naturally ventilated barn with cubicles and a slatted floor.

Influence of phosphorus intake on excretion and blood plasma and saliva concentrations of phosphorus in dairy cows.

Phosphorus (P) balance, and blood plasma P and saliva P concentrations were measured in multiparous dairy cows through two lactations and two dry periods. The cows were fed three amounts of P at either 100, 80 or 67% of the Dutch P recommendation, actually resulting in dietary P concentrations of 3.2 to 3.

Influence of long-term feeding of limited amounts of phosphorus on dry matter intake, milk production, and body weight of dairy cows.

For almost two lactations, 24 high-yielding, multiparous dairy cows were fed a basal diet and concentrate mixtures with three different P concentrations. The basal diet consisted of grass (silage or artificially dried), corn silage, wet beet pulp, straw, and concentrates. The concentrate mixtures differed only in P content by varying the amount of monosodium phosphate.