Prevalence,risk factors,and effects on fertility of cytological endometritis at the time of insemination in Norwegian Red cows

The present study aimed to assess the occurrence of cytological endometritis (CYTO), a nonsymptomatic inflammation of the endometrium, at first artificial insemination (AI) postpartum in Norwegian Red cows. Further, risk factors for CYTO manifestation and its effect on reproductive success and late embryo loss were evaluated. In total 1,648 cows located in 116 herds were included in the study. On mainly spontaneous estrus, endometrial cytology samples were collected using a cytotape technique, and a total of 300 representative epithelial cells and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) were counted at 400× magnification. Vaginal mucus obtained by Metricheck (Simcro) and body condition score were recorded. Milk samples for progesterone analysis were collected at AI and 21 d later. Pregnancy was diagnosed by rectal palpation or analysis of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins. Based on the constructions of a receiver operator characteristics curve, the cut-off level for PMN defined as CYTO was set to 3.0%, representing the level at which the PMN occurrence affected pregnancy outcome, with the highest summation of sensitivity (32.4%) and specificity (74.9%). Three logistic models with herd included as random factor were constructed. The outcome for the first model was the likelihood for CYTO based on the endometrial samples, in the second model pregnancy to first AI, and in the third model embryo loss. The proportion of CYTO was 28.0% (461/1,648). The average interval in days to first AI was 71.7 d (standard error ± 0.7) and the overall pregnancy incidence to first AI was 59.8% (866/1,449). The likelihood for CYTO at first AI was associated with AI personnel, calving to first AI interval, vaginal mucus characteristics, amount of red blood cells in sample, season, and barn type. Pregnancy to first AI was lower in CYTO-positive cows (odds ratio = 1.51, confidence interval = 1.17–1.94). Other factors affecting pregnancy to first AI were AI personnel, test day milk yield, barn type, and obstetrical conditions or fertility treatments before first AI. The proportion of late embryo loss and abortion was 8.6% (82/948) and 2.8% (24/866), respectively. Late embryo loss was associated with treatment against fertility disorders before first AI, but not associated with CYTO. Overall, our results suggest that even if Norwegian Red cows show a fairly high prevalence of CYTO in the endometrium at first AI, it does not seem to have a major effect on the reproductive performance. The Norwegian Red breeding program has emphasized fertility and health for decades, and a genetically advantageous uterine immunology might be one of the preserved mechanisms.     

Behavior of lactating Holstein-Friesian cows during spontaneous cycles of estrus

The objectives of the present study were to describe, in detail, behavior associated with standing estrus (STE) in lactating dairy cows and behavioral changes during complete estrous cycles. Estrus signs were monitored by continuous video recording of 20 Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows housed on an outdoor wood-chip pad during 1 estrous cycle (22 d). Other social behavior was recorded during STE and, for comparison, during 1 selected day when none of the cows were in estrus. Standing stationary when mounted was defined as the primary estrus sign. Anogenital sniff, chin rest, attempt to mount, and mount were defined as secondary estrus signs. Ovarian cyclicity was confirmed by progesterone measurements. This study reports short mean duration of STE (7.1 ± 1.44 h) and estrus (mount period; 12.9 ± 1.84 h) of the 13 cows expressing these signs. All mounting activities involved at least one cow in, or within 4 h of, STE. The most frequent sign during STE was anogenital sniff initiated, followed by chin rest received, chin rest initiated, chase up initiated, anogenital sniff received, mount initiated, head butt, mount received, attempt to mount initiated, push away received, play rub, attempt to mount received, follow initiated, threat received, flehmen, avoid, bellow, and social lick received. Standing and mounting activity in HF cows was inconsistent during estrus, indicating that other signs could be of greater use. The frequency of secondary estrus signs initiated and received increased gradually during the last 12 h before STE, revealing significant differences between periods from 4 to 6 and 1 to 3 h before STE. A considerable increase in receptive behavior (secondary estrus signs received) was identified between 1 to 3 h prior to STE and STE. Both frequent initiated and received behaviors were associated with STE. A significant decrease in the frequency of secondary estrus signs initiated and received occurred 3 h after STE. Cows in STE simultaneously predominantly chose the other standing cow as mate and expressed secondary estrus signs more frequently. Based on the results of this study, we suggest that chase up could be regarded as a reliable indicator of estrus and that the changes in proceptive (initiated) and receptive (received) behavior could be used as predictors of different stages in estrus. Knowledge of these behavioral signs may improve heat detection rates and the ability to predict the optimum breeding time for dairy cows.     

生命周期成本——获得更高利润的预期总成本

引言纺织生产者依靠什么取得成功?对于成功的纺织行业来说,非常基本的先决条件就是要有一个能够满足预期市场的产品,产品质量满足客户的期望以实现更高的销售量和收入。一般来说,利润随着销售价格的增高以及运营成本和原材料价格的降低而上升。这是司空见惯的,并没有任何新意。但是在今天的市场环境下,只有少数公司成功地在销售价格上具有了明显的优势,     

Positional Scanning Synthesis of a Peptoid Library Yields New Inducers of Apoptosis that Target Karyopherins and Tubulin

We describe the synthesis of a library of 11 638 N‐alkylglycine peptoid trimers in a positional scanning format with adjustment of reaction conditions to account for different reactivities of the monomer building blocks. Evaluation of the library by high‐content phenotypic screening for modulators of the cytoskeleton and mitosis resulted in the identification of two apoptosis‐inducing peptoids, which, despite their structural similarity, target different proteins and cellular mechanisms. Whereas one peptoid binds to karyopherins, which mediate nuclear transport, the other N‐alkylglycine trimer binds tubulin at the vinca alkaloid binding site.     

Predicting pilot error: Testing a new methodology and a multi-methods and analysts approach

The Human Error Template (HET) is a recently developed methodology for predicting design-induced pilot error. This article describes a validation study undertaken to compare the performance of HET against three contemporary Human Error Identification (HEI) approaches when used to predict pilot errors for an approach and landing task and also to compare analyst error predictions to an approach to enhancing error prediction sensitivity: the multiple analysts and methods approach, whereby multiple analyst predictions using a range of HEI techniques are pooled. The findings indicate that, of the four methodologies used in isolation, analysts using the HET methodology offered the most accurate error predictions, and also that the multiple analysts and methods approach was more successful overall in terms of error prediction sensitivity than the three other methods but not the HET approach. The results suggest that when predicting design-induced error, it is appropriate to use a toolkit of different HEI approaches and multiple analysts in order to heighten error prediction sensitivity.     

Therapy with monoclonal antibodies. II. The contribution of Fc gamma receptor binding and the influence of C(H)1 and C(H)3 domains on in vivo effector function

An in vivo model is used to define Fc motifs engaged by mAbs to deplete target cells. Human IgG1 and human IgG4 were very potent, and mutations within a motif critical for Fc gammaR binding (glutamate 233 to proline, leucine/phenylalanine 234 to valine, and leucine 235 to alanine) completely prevented depletion. Mouse IgG2b was also potent, and mutations to prevent complement activation did not impair depletion with this isotype, as previously shown for human IgG1. In contrast, a mutation that impaired binding to mouse Fc gammaRII (glutamate 318 to alanine) eliminated effector function of mouse IgG2b and also reduced the potency of human IgG4. To reveal potential contributions of domains other than C(H)2, domain switch mutants were created between human IgG1 and rat IgG2a. Two hybrid mAbs were generated with potencies exceeding anything previously seen in this model. While their mechanism of depletion was not defined, their activity appeared dependent upon interdomain interactions in the Fc region.     

Die Kontrolle des Umsetzungsgrades des Zugangs- und Zugriffsschutzes

Rechtlich verpflichtende Datenschutzkontrollen im Cloud-Umfeld stellen den Cloud-Nutzer vor eine große Herausforderung. Zusammen mit der Verantwortlichkeit für die in der Cloud verarbeiteten Daten und den immer noch weitverbreiteten Datenschutzbedenken gegen Cloud-Dienste, stellen diese einen Hemmschuh für die Nutzung von Cloud-Diensten dar. Teilautomatisierte Datenschutzkontrollen, die dem Cloud-Nutzer im laufenden Betrieb den Umsetzungsgrad von Datenschutzzielen anzeigen, können dieser Barriere begegnen. Dieser Beitrag schlägt ein Vorgehen für eine teilautomatisierte Messung der Datenschutzziele des Zugangs- und Zugriffsschutzes vor.     

Antigen-presenting function and B7 expression of murine sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inflammatory liver disease as well as rejection of liver allografts are thought to be mediated by resident antigen-presenting cells in the liver. At the same time, in vivo antigen presentation in the liver appears to be a more tolerogenic than systemic antigen challenge. The aim of this study was to show and characterize the antigen-presenting capability of sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells. METHODS: Purified murine sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells were studied for their ability to serve as accessory cells and antigen-presenting cells by proliferation assays. They were also studied for their expression of interleukin 1 and the B7 costimulatory molecules by Northern blotting, polymerase chain reaction, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Both cell types expressed interleukin 1 messenger RNA and could serve equally well as accessory and antigen-presenting cells. B7-2 messenger RNA and surface expression on sinusoidal endothelial cells and on Kupffer cells was shown. Antibodies to the B7 molecules inhibited antigen presentation. Addition of interleukin 10 as a regulatory cytokine secreted by Kupffer cells was suppressive. CONCLUSIONS: Sinusoidal endothelial cells carry functional B7-2 molecules and can serve as effective antigen-presenting cells. However, antigen presentation by sinusoidal endothelial cells may be locally down-regulated by interleukin 10.     

Human immunoglobulin D segments encoded in tandem multigenic families

A family of germ-line immunoglobulin D-region genes has been cloned and mapped at regular intervals along a 33-kilobase length of human chromosomal DNA. Each member of the family varies slightly in sequence, but precisely conserves the recombinational signals and spacing that flank each gene. This region seems to have been formed by the tandem amplification of large and still well conserved segments of genomic DNA. Further, structural comparisons of germ-line and rearranged D segments suggest that D segments may recombine with each other.