Twice A Day Research Articles

Estimation of genetic parameters for milk traits in cows milked once- or twice-daily in New Zealand

The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for milk yields, average somatic cell score (SCS) and milk composition traits in dairy cows milked either once a day (OAD) or twice a day (TAD) in New Zealand. The data set comprised 124,620 and 194,631 lactation records from OAD and TAD populations, respectively, during the period 2008–2012. Overall, estimates of parameters were similar between milking frequencies (MF), although heritabilities of production traits tended to be greater in the TAD cows. Estimates of heritability in OAD and TAD were: 0.33 and 0.36 for milk yield; 0.21 and 0.26 for fat yield; 0.22 and 0.25 for protein yield; and 0.12 and 0.12 for SCS, respectively. Estimates of correlations were similar across MF, in particular the genetic correlation between milk yield and protein yield (0.84 for TAD and 0.85 for OAD). Estimates of genetic correlations between SCS and other traits tended to be close to zero in both populations. The results indicate that genetic progress can be lower in the OAD population due to lower phenotypic and genetic variances compared to the TAD population. However, a potential disadvantage is that evaluating both dairy populations together could lead to systematic inaccuracies and biases in the estimation of breeding values for the population milked OAD as future dams.

Milk production of Holstein-Friesian, Jersey and crossbred cows milked once-a-day or twice-a-day in New Zealand

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to compare Holstein-Friesian (F), Jersey (J) and crossbred (F × J) cows milked once-a-day (OAD) or twice-a-day (TAD) in New Zealand for milk, fat and protein yield, lactation persistency and average somatic cell score (SCS). Data consisted of 223,149 herd-test records (89,297 and 133,852 OAD and TAD, respectively) from 11,848 F; 11,677 J and 27,720 F × J spring-calving cows between 2008 and 2012. Compared to TAD systems, cows milked OAD yielded 722, 28.0 and 22.2 kg less milk, fat and protein, respectively. Crossbred and J cows were less affected than F cows by OAD milking with a reduction in milk yield traits of ≤ 19.0%, while in F cows the reduction ranged between 19%–25%. Cows milked OAD had higher SCS than cows milked TAD (6.20 vs. 6.08). The greatest SCS difference in OAD and TAD systems was in first-lactation cows (6.40 vs. 6.02). Persistency of production traits was greater in F and F × J cows milked OAD than in F and F × J cows milked TAD, but J cows had similar milk and protein persistency in both systems. Overall, cows milked OAD had greater persistency than cows milked TAD (79%–90% vs. 76%–85%). These results show that, in commercial herds, the relative difference in production traits between OAD and TAD systems was smaller than those reported in experimental trials.

Effects of Feeding Programs Based on One or Two Milk Replacer Daily Meals on Growth, Solid Feed Intake and Rumen Fermentation and Development of Dairy Calves

Sixteen Holstein calves were used to study the effects of two feeding programs (FP) on growth, intake, rumen development and ruminal metabolism from birth to weaning. Two feeding programs based on milk replacer (MR) were tested: a once a day (OAD) MR (200 g/L) distribution vs. a standard twice a day (TAD) MR (125 g/L) distribution. All calves received water, wheat straw and a starter concentrate ad libitum. Four calves per group were slaughtered at weaning and rumen epithelium from the ventral sac was sampled for papillae (RP) density. Results showed that the FP had no effect on body weight of calves and total feed intake. From day 42 to day 56, ruminal pH was lower (P = 0.036) and ruminal oxydo-reducing potential was higher (P = 0.001) in OAD than TAD calves. Ruminal total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations did not significantly differ between FP. From day 21 to day 63, butyrate ruminal concentration was significantly higher in OAD than TAD calves (5.17 vs 3.95 mmol/L). This probably explained the higher development of RP in calves fed once daily. Finally, the tested feeding system based on a once daily MR distribution affects the concentrate feeding pattern of calves.

Ciprofloxacin-induced cholestatic liver injury - a case report.

Background: Drug-induced liver injury has been described for a large number of drugs. It is a common cause of drug withdrawal from the market. Ciprofloxacin is a commonly prescribed fluoroquinolone antibiotic and is a rare cause of hepatotoxicity. To our best knowledge this is the first case of ciprofloxacin-induced cholestatic liver injury in Slovenia. Case report: A 19year old man has been treated with ciprofloxacin at a daily dose of 500 mg twice a day due to a mild respiratory infection. After twenty days he was admitted to hospital because of jaundice. Laboratory findings showed a typical pattern of acute cholestatic liver failure, which was additionally confirmed by the liver biopsy. The patient was treated symptomatically. Ten months later the patient’s clinical status is stabile with a normal bilirubin level and mildly elevated alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase. Conclusion: Although severe hepatotoxicity after the administration of ciprofloxacin is rare, physicians should be cautious and alert to its side-effects.

A reduction in milking frequency and feed allowance improves dairy cow immune status

Twice-daily milking is the most common milking regimen used globally. A reduction in milking frequency to once daily, combined with a reduced feed allowance (FA), could reduce the physiological stress associated with the transition to peak milk production, and hence improve immune function. This study investigated how milking frequency and FA affect dairy cow immune status. Cows (n=48) were milked once a day (OAD) or twice a day (TAD) on 1 of 2 FA: high (HFA) or low (LFA), in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. After the mean calving date of March 11, HFA cows were offered ad libitum grass silage and 7kg of concentrates/cow per day until March 22, then 4kg of concentrates/cow per day until April 17, and thereafter allocated 31.3kg of dry matter (DM) grass/cow per day. The LFA cows were offered 4kg of concentrates/cow per day, 1kg of concentrates/cow per day, and allocated 19kg of DM grass/cow per day for the same respective periods. Milk yield was recorded daily and body condition score weekly, and somatic cell count was performed at approximately 2-wk intervals. Blood samples were collected prepartum (d −7 to −1) and at d 1 to 7, d 14 to 21, and d 42 to 49 postpartum. Total and differential leukocyte percentage, IFN-γ production in response to concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin, and cortisol, haptoglobin (Hp), and serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations were evaluated. Cows milked OAD had reduced milk yield and body reserve mobilization, but higher somatic cell counts. Milking frequency and diet had no effect on total leukocyte counts. Cows milked OAD had a higher lymphocyte percentage and lower monocyte percentage, and tended to have a lower neutrophil percentage than cows milked TAD. In addition, the LFA cows had a higher eosinophil percentage than cows fed the HFA. Milking frequency and diet had no effect on IFN-γ, Hp, SAA, or cortisol production. Utilization of strategies to reduce milk yield at the beginning of the lactation could not only reduce body reserve mobilization, but also help to maintain a functioning immune system, and thus improve cow welfare.

Effect of milking frequency and nutritional level on hoof health, locomotion score and lying behaviour of dairy cows

This study evaluated the effect of milking frequency (MF; once a day (OAD) versus twice a day (TAD)) at two nutritional levels (NL) on hoof health, locomotion and lying behaviour of dairy cows. Cows ( n = 72) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments from calving in a 2 × 2 factorial design for an entire lactation: OAD or TAD milking at a high (30.9 kg DM/c/d) or low (18.8 kg DM/c/d) herbage allowance NL. Hoof health (sole lesions, heel erosion, digital dermatitis and white line disease) and locomotory ability (including overall locomotion, ab/adduction, tracking, speed, head carriage and spine curvature scores) were assessed on 6 occasions between calving in the spring and housing the following autumn. Udder firmness was recorded in the milking parlour prior to milking at approximately 57, 93 and 132 days in milk (DIM). Standing/lying behaviour was recorded using modified voltage dataloggers over 2 × 24 h periods at approximately 157 and 208 DIM. Cows milked OAD had lower sole lesion ( P < 0.05) and white line disease ( P < 0.01) scores, but higher heel erosion scores ( P < 0.05) than cows milked TAD. There was an interaction between time of examination and MF ( P < 0.05) for locomotion scores; although in early lactation cows milked OAD had higher overall locomotion scores than TAD cows, this was reversed later in lactation. OAD cows had higher ab/adduction scores in early lactation ( P < 0.05). On the other hand, speed and head carriage scores were all higher for TAD compared to OAD cows. High NL cows had higher overall ab/adduction ( P < 0.01) scores, and at 57 DIM had higher udder tension scores than low NL cows ( P < 0.001). Neither MF nor NL had an effect on total lying times. However cows on the high NL and OAD treatments spent less time standing after morning milking ( P < 0.05), and spent more time per hour lying between 0900 and 1200. Cows milked OAD also spent more time than TAD cows lying between 1530 and 1830. High abduction scores in the OAD cows in early lactation may be related to discomfort in the udder. In general however, OAD milking resulted in improvements to hoof health and locomotion ability. Moreover, cows milked OAD use the extra time at pasture in the afternoon to rest, an option that is not available to TAD milked cows. Fewer disruptions to the diurnal pattern of OAD cows are an indication of improved welfare.

Understanding Motivations to Adopt Once-a-day Milking amongst New Zealand Dairy Farmers

This paper reports the results of a study to understand why some New Zealand dairy farmers are changing from twice-a-day (TAD) to once-a-day (OAD) milking. Increasing herd size, unavailability of suitable labour and changing lifestyle expectations from farmers and their staff have led some to explore OAD milking as a means of alleviating these issues. A convergent interviewing process was used with 21 dairy farmers who had all adopted OAD milking. A marketing approach, based on consumer behaviour theory and farming systems theory, was used to classify farmers into segments based on their different reasons for adoption. Six segments were identified, viz., herd expansion, time needed to build capital, decreasing labour, increasing labour flexibility, feed shortfalls, and herd health, motivating farmers to adopt OAD milking. Farmers in some segments such as herd expansion and feed shortfalls indicated that they were less likely to be long-term adopters than those in the other segments. Farmers interviewed unanimously understood that OAD milking led to reduced milk yield but were generally prepared to tolerate this to achieve their short-term or long-term goals.

Inequalities in toothbrushing among adolescents in Scotland 1998-2006

The aim of this study was to examine trends in toothbrushing and inequalities in toothbrushing among girls and boys in Scotland between 1998 and 2006. A secondary aim was to investigate the association between the health promoting school (HPS) initiative and toothbrushing. Data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children 1998, 2002 and 2006 surveys were analysed using multilevel logistic regression for boys and girls aged 11, 13 and 15 years. Girls' twice-a-day toothbrushing increased with age while that of boys' remained stable. Toothbrushing increased significantly between 1998 and 2006 for all but 15-year-old girls. Family structure was significantly associated with toothbrushing for 11-year-old boys and 13-year-old boys and girls. Socio-economic inequalities in toothbrushing were significant for both boys and girls at all ages. Largest inequalities were seen among 13-year-old girls and 15-year-old boys. Inequalities persisted over time for all but 15-year-old boys who saw a significant reduction between 1998 and 2006. The HPS initiative in schools in deprived areas was associated with increased odds of twice-a day toothbrushing among 11-year-old boys and 15-year-old girls.

Once-a-day milking of Holstein and Montbéliarde cows for 7 weeks in mid-lactation

This study aimed at comparing the effects of once-a-day (OAD) milking during the descending phase of lactation between cows from the two most common breeds in France (Holstein and Montbéliarde). This study was carried on during two successive summers on a total of 50 Holstein and 38 Montbéliarde cows. During 7 weeks, half of the cows from each breed was milked OAD while the other half was milked twice a day (TAD). The animals were also followed for the next 3 or 5 weeks when they were all milked TAD, to check for any residual effect of OAD milking. The behaviour of OAD cows was observed around milking time. The incidence of diseases, the main performance variables (milk production, milk flow rate, live weight and body condition score), the detailed composition of milk (fat, protein, lactose, somatic cells, minerals, pH, free fatty acid (FFA), nitrogen fractions and enzymes) and some technological variables (clotting time and curd firmness) were measured on all cows.Some signs of disturbance were observed in the OAD cows at the time when milking was omitted: some cows mooed, some went close to the exit of the paddock, some leaked milk prior to milking. However, these signs disappeared after 2 days. After the experimental period, the live weight and the body condition score of TAD and OAD cows did not differ significantly. OAD cows produced 4.5 kg/day less than TAD (P < 0.001), this being more marked in Holstein (5.7 kg/day, P < 0.001) than Montbéliarde (3.3 kg/day, P < 0.001) cows. The milk contents of fat, whey protein, casein, total protein and phosphorus, and its plasminogen activity, were higher with OAD cows while lactose and FFA contents, and lipoprotein lipase activity were lower, with no interaction observed with breed. During the subsequent 3 weeks, when all cows were again milked TAD, OAD cows still produced 1.7 kg/day less milk (P < 0.01) with slightly higher fat and protein content.OAD milking for 7 weeks during the descending phase of lactation decreased milk production but increased milk content of most components, with a low residual effect. Montbéliarde cows were less affected by OAD milking than Holstein cows.

Effect of milking frequency and nutritional level on aspects of the health and welfare of dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of milking frequency and nutritional level on some aspects of animal health. Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 60) were assigned post calving to a factorial arrangement of treatments; twice a day (TAD) milking on a high or low nutritional level; once a day (OAD) milking on a high or low nutritional level. Milking characteristics were recorded daily. Blood samples to evaluate changes in the composition of the blood cells, milk leakage, udder tension and locomotory ability were measured on four occasions. Teat-ends were classified for hyperkeratosis (HK) monthly post partum. TAD had longer daily milking times (P < 0.001) compared with OAD cows. There was no effect of milking frequency or nutritional level on morning milking time, time to milk letdown or peak milk flow rate (P>0.05). High nutritional level cows had higher average flow-rates (P < 0.05) than low nutritional level cows. Neither milking frequency nor nutritional level affected HK (P>0.05). However, HK values were positively correlated with daily milking time for OAD cows for 6 months of lactation (P < 0.05). This correlation was significant (P < 0.01) for cows milked OAD on high nutrition during the peak lactation period. OAD cows had higher levels of milk leakage compared with TAD cows during the month of May (P < 0.01). Cows on high nutrition milked OAD showed higher udder firmness scores than cows milked once or twice daily at the low nutrition level in June and July (P < 0.05). OAD cows had higher locomotion scores compared with TAD cows (P < 0.001). Locomotion and udder firmness scores were significantly correlated for OAD in June (P < 0.05). OAD cows had lower blood lymphocyte counts, numerically higher counts of neutrophil and a higher monocyte count at peak lactation compared with TAD cows suggesting that OAD cows had altered immune responses. The increase in milk leakage, higher udder firmness and locomotion scores in conjunction with changes in blood cells, suggests that OAD milking may have caused some discomfort to the cows during peak lactation. A reduction in the concentrate input to OAD cows during this period could ameliorate this problem.

EFFECTS OF CHLORHEXIDINE AND NORMAL SALINE ON DENTAL PLAQUE FORMATION IN ICU PATIENTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

AbstractIntroduction: The mechanism of respiratory infections is the colonization of aero-digestive tract and the subsequent aspiration of contaminated secretion into the lower part of respiratory tract. In the first 48 hours of admission, the normal oropharyngeal flora change to anaerobic gram negative bacilli and the dental plaques are suitable environments for growth of pathogens. Purpose: This randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare the effects of chlorhexidine with normal-saline mouthwashes on dental plaque formation in ICU patients under mechanical ventilation. Materials and Methods: 80 patients with endotracheal tube were randomly divided into two equal control and experimental groups. The experimental and control groups received chlorhexidine %0.2 and normal saline mouthwashes twice a day with tooth and mouth swabs. Plaque index was calculated over 3 days. Results: The total incidence of the pneumonia was 27.5%. the incidence rate in experimental and control groups were 22.5% and 32.5% respectively with no significant difference (CL=95%0.439-1.336, RR= 0.765 , P= 0.453). Also there was no significant correlation between pneumonia incidence and variables of sex, internal or surgical conditions and history of antibiotic therapy but a correlation was found with severity of disease (p= 0.00). Conclusion: Findings showed difference between twice-a–day oral decontamination with Chlorhexidine 0.2% and normal saline solution in prevention of ventilator pneumonia. This was probably as a result of physical effects of oral rinse. Key words: Mouth rinse, Chlorhexidine, Normal saline, Dental plaque.

UTILIZAÇÃO DO GRÃO DE CEVADA EM SUBSTITUIÇÃO AO MILHO EM DIETAS PARA VACAS EM LACTAÇÃO

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da substituição total e parcial de grãos de milho moídos por grãos de cevada laminados sobre a produção e a composição do leite. Foram utilizadas 28 vacas holandesas, com média de 125 dias de lactação, em um delineamento em quadrado latino 4x4. A dieta foi fornecida na forma de dieta totalmente misturada, 1 vez ao dia. Foram testados 4 níveis de substituição de milho por cevada (T1 – 0% cevada; T2 – 33 % cevada; T3 – 66% cevada; e T4 - 100% cevada). O experimento teve uma duração total de 105 dias. As vacas foram ordenhadas 2 vezes ao dia e as coletas para determinação da percentagem de gordura, proteína e extrato seco total (EST) e da contagem de células somáticas (CCS) realizadas 2 vezes em cada período experimental e para determinação do nitrogênio uréico no leite (NUL) ao final de cada período. A ingestão de matéria seca decresceu linearmente quando a cevada substituiu o milho. A ingestão de proteína bruta, fibra em detergente ácido e fibra em detergente neutro não foi afetada pela substituição do milho pela cevada. Foi observada redução linear na produção de leite, produção de leite corrigido para 4% de gordura (LCG), produção e percentagem de gordura do leite, enquanto que a percentagem de proteína aumentou linearmente. A eficiência alimentar (EA) foi em média de 1,31 kg de LCG/kg de matéria seca ingerida, não sendo afetada pelas dietas. Também não houve efeito do nível de substituição sobre a produção de proteína, EST, CCS e NUL.

Hydro-Galvanic and Rising - Temperature Bath Therapy For Chronic Elbow Epicondylitis: A comparative Study

The efficacy of two different regimens of physiotherapy for epicon-dylitis was compared. A combination treatment with hydrogalvanic four-cell bath and arm bath with rising temperature, which had showed good effects in treatmen of tennis elbow in an earlier observational study (Mucha 1987), was compared with the analgesic interference current treatment often recommended in the literature (Sadil and Sadil 1994, Noteboom et al 1994, Becker and Reuter 1982).For this study, 60 patients with epicondylitis that was resistant to conservative reatment were randomized into two groups for comparison. In group 1, interference currents were administered twicea day for six weeks and group 2 received combination treatment with the hydrogalvanic four-cell bath and risingt emperature arm bath once a day for six weeks.Criteria for inclusion, control and appraisal were laid down prospectively. Several parameters were used, recordedand statistically evaluated as outcome measures. These were active joint range of movement of the elbow, grip strength,pain provocation with muscle contraction, palpation pain and pain with functional activities. The results showed a significant superiority of combination treatment over therapy with interference current. It istherefore recommended that hydrogalvanic four-cell bath and arm bath with rising temperature should be carried outbefore considering surgical treatment for chronic epicondylitis.

Local-regional control of recurrent breast carcinoma after mastectomy: does hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy improve local control?

Purpose: Hyperfractionated, accelerated radiotherapy (HART) has been advocated for patients with local-regionally recurrent breast cancer because it is believed to enhance treatment effects in rapidly proliferating or chemoresistant tumors. This report examines the value of HART in patients with local-regionally recurrent breast cancer treated with multimodality therapy. Methods and Materials: The study included 148 patients with local-regionally recurrent breast cancer after mastectomy, who were treated with definitive local irradiation and systemic therapy consisting of either tamoxifen, cytotoxic chemotherapy, or both, along with excision of the recurrent tumor when possible. Patients with distant metastases were excluded, except for two patients with ipsilateral supraclavicular nodal metastases. Patients received comprehensive irradiation to the chest wall and regional lymphatics to a median dose of 45 Gy, with a boost to 60 Gy to areas of recurrence. Sixty-eight patients (46%) were treated once daily at 2 Gy/fraction (fx), and 80 (54%) were treated twice daily at 1.5 Gy/fx. Forty-eight patients (32%), who had palpable gross disease that was unresponsive to systemic therapy and/or unresectable, were irradiated. The median follow-up time of surviving patients was 78 months. Results: Overall actuarial local-regional control (LRC) rates at 5 and 10 years were 68% and 55%, respectively. Five- and ten-year actuarial overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 50% and 35%, 39% and 29%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that LRC was adversely affected by 1. advanced initial American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage ( p= 0.001), 2. clinically evident residual disease at time of treatment ( p < 0.0001), 3. more than three positive nodes at initial mastectomy ( p = 0.014), 4. short interval from mastectomy to recurrence (< 24 months, p = 0.0007), 5. nuclear grade (III vs. I or II, p = 0.045), and 6. number of recurrent nodules (1 vs. > 1, p = 0.02). Patient age at time of recurrence (< 40 vs. ≥ 40 years), recurrence location on the chest wall, estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status or menopausal status did not adversely affect LRC. On multivariate analysis, only clinically evident residual disease at the time of treatment and short interval from mastectomy to recurrence remained significant. When once-a–day irradiation was compared to the twice-a–day schedule, no significant differences were seen in LRC (67% vs. 68%), OS (47% vs. 52%), or DFS (42% vs. 36%) for the entire group of patients at 5 years. Pairwise comparison of the two fractionation schedules in each of the adverse outcome subgroups identified above showed no clinically significant differences in LRC at 5 years. For the 48 patients who began radiotherapy with measurable gross local recurrence, the complete response rate to radiotherapy was 73%, with no difference seen between the two fractionation schedules. The incidence of acute and chronic radiation-related complications was similar in both treatment groups. Conclusions: Hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy, although well tolerated by patients with local-regionally recurrent breast cancer, did not result in superior local-regional control rates when compared to daily fractionated regimens. Alternative strategies, such as dose escalation or chemoradiation, may be required to improve control.

Effects of oxytocin, machine stripping and milking rate on production loss of cows milked once a day.

The effect of treatments designed to improve the efficiency of milk removal and minimize loss of production in cows milked once a day (OAD) was assessed in short-term trials involving Friesian and Jersey cows. Trial 1 involved 80 cows and compared twice a day (TAD) milking with OAD milking with the administration of 20 i.u. of oxytocin (OX), OAD milking with udder massage before and during milking (OS) and no treatment during OAD milking (OC). The OX and OS groups had increased yields of milk and milk solids when treatments were applied, though yields were not restored to previous TAD levels. The percentage increase shown by OX cows was greater than that of OS cows for fat yield. The level of residual milk in the udder after milking was lower for the OX group than for the OAD and TAD controls. In Trial 2, 12 cows were subjected to fast or slow rates of milking OAD in each of two periods. Losses in milk, fat and protein yields averaged 9.1, 9.9 and 1.0% respectively. Increased rate of milking reduced milking time and time to let-down but did not affect response to OAD milking. The results showed that treatments that increased the evacuation of the udder during milking and decreased the level of residual milk reduced losses in production that occur on OAD milking. Increasing the rate of milking was ineffective in reducing losses on OAD milking.