63 research outputs found
Swiss ethnoveterinary knowledge on medicinal plants - a within-country comparison of Italian speaking regions with north-western German speaking regions
No full textBackground: Ethnoveterinary knowledge in Europe may play an important role as a basis for sustainable treatment options for livestock. Aims of our study were (a) to compare the ethnoveterinary practices of two culturally and sociodemographically different regions of Switzerland, (b) to compare results with earlier ethnoveterinary studies conducted in Switzerland and in adjacent Italian regions and, (c) to evaluate possible reasons for regional differences in European ethnoveterinary medicine. Methods: 25 interviews were conducted in 2014 in all Italian speaking regions (ItR) of Switzerland, and 31 interviews were held in five north-western German speaking Cantons (GeC). Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect detailed information regarding plant species, mode of preparation, dosage, route of administration, category of use, origin of knowledge, frequency of use, and satisfaction with outcomes of the treatments. Results: A total of 162 homemade remedies in ItR and 219 in GeC were reported, out of which 125 and 145, respectively, were reported to contain only one plant species (homemade single species herbal remedy report, HSHR). 44 ItR and 43 GeC plant species were reported to treat livestock, of which only a half were used in both regions. For each HSHR, we classified the treatment intention of all use reports (UR), leading to a total of 205 and 219 UR in ItR and GeC respectively. While cattle were the most often treated livestock species in both study regions, in ItR 40% of UR were administered to small ruminants. Main indications in both regions were gastrointestinal diseases and skin afflictions, but in ItR a high number of URs were reported as antiparasitics. URs were mainly handed down from the past generation, but in GeC the source of knowledge for 20% of URs were from courses. Regarding the used plant species, ItR showed a higher concordance with Swiss than Italian studies, but with some differences to all regions. A total of 22 (14 ItR; 8 GeC) plant species in this study have not been reported before in ethnoveterinary studies of Swiss and Italian alpine regions. Conclusions: ItR and GeC, show differences and similarities with respect to their own ethnoveterinary practices and earlier Swiss and Italian ethnoveterinary studies. Linguistic, geographical, as well as social and farm-structural conditions influence the regional ethnoveterinary knowledge. However, political borders seem to be more important than language or geographical barriers
Actin-titin interaction in cardiac myofibrils: Probing a physiological role
No full textLinke WA, Ivemeyer M, Labeit S, Hinssen H, Ruegg JC, Gautel M. Actin-titin interaction in cardiac myofibrils: Probing a physiological role. BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL. 1997;73(2):905-919.The high stiffness of relaxed cardiac myofibrils is explainable mainly by the expression of a short-length titin (connectin), the giant elastic protein of the vertebrate myofibrillar cytoskeleton. However, additional molecular features could account for this high stiffness, such as interaction between titin and actin, which has previously been reported in vitro. To probe this finding for a possible physiological significance, isolated myofibrils from rat heart were subjected to selective removal of actin filaments by a calcium-independent gelsolin fragment, and the ''passive'' stiffness of the specimens was recorded. Upon actin extraction, stiffness decreased by nearly 60%, and to a similar degree after high-salt extraction of thick filaments. Thus actin-titin association indeed contributes to the stiffness of resting cardiac muscle. To identify possible sites of association, we employed a combination of different techniques. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that actin extraction increased the extensibility of the previously stiff Z-disc-flanking titin region. Actin-titin interaction within this region was confirmed in in vitro cosedimentation assays, in which multimodule recombinant titin fragments were tested for their ability to interact with F-actin. By contrast, such assays showed no actin-titin-binding propensity for sarcomeric regions outside the Z-disc comb. Accordingly, the results of mechanical measurements demonstrated that competition with native titin by recombinant titin fragments from Z-disc-remote, I-band or A-band regions did not affect passive myofibril stiffness. These results indicate that it is actin-titin association near the Z-disc, but not along the remainder of the sarcomere, that helps to anchor the titin molecule at its N-terminus and maintain a high stiffness of the relaxed cardiac myofibril
Traditional homemade herbal remedies used by farmers of northern Switzerland to treat skin alterations and wounds in livestock
No full textEthnoveterinary surveys are missing for wide areas of Europe. During the years 2011 and 2012 80 farmers on 64 farms in seven cantons of Northern Switzerland (Aargau, Zürich, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Appenzell Innerhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden) were interviewed. More than 500 homemade herbal remedies (HMHR) were documented regarding the used plant species, modes of preparation, dosage, routes of administration, category of use and origin of knowledge. A selection was made by choosing all HMHR which (a) contain only one herbal drug, (b) are used to treat skin alterations and wounds, (c) were administered to the skin, (d) were obtained from forefathers and relatives and (e) have been used by the interview partners themselves at least 5 times during the last five years. The two latter criteria were introduced to analyse only formulations with a high level of tradition. The 34 selected HMHR contained twelve plant species from 8 families. The most frequently used plant species were from the family of Asteraceae (Table 1), and flowers were the most often used plant parts. The processing of the herbs included mostly extraction with oil/fat or water, but also maceration with ethanol of varying percentage. In contrast, fresh Comfrey roots were grated and administered directly to the skin. The formulations where used in 49 different applications for treatment of wounds and other skin alterations in livestock, mainly in cattle. Whenever possible, the weight of the used plant was determined to calculate concentrations in g drug equivalent per 100 g of finished product. Most of the documented concentrations were in a lower range compared to literature. The uses of the most frequently named medicinal plants (chamomile, marigold and St. John's wort) can be regarded as well founded, considering recent pharmacological and clinical data. Other plants identified in this survey should be subject to further studies. (connect the author for references)
Influence of the herbal component of a commercial feed additive on serum parameters, fertility and longevity of dairy cows
No full textFertility dysfunction is a main culling reason for dairy cows [1]. A randomized placebo controlled trial investigates a herbal mixture containing mainly Urtica dioica L. (herba), Trigonella foenum-greacum L. (semen), Silybum marianum (L.) Gaert. (fructus) and Achillea millefolium L. (herba). It was fed cows daily (50g per cow and day) about 60d from dry off to calving date. 63 dairy cows (32 in the herb-(h)- and 31 in the placebo-(p)-group) of one Swiss organic dairy farm were included in the study. Cows were differentiated depending on their lactation number (L); L1: first lactating cows (h: n=10, p: n=9), L2-4: cows of second to fourth lactation (h: n=11, p: n=12) and L>4: cows with more than four lactations (h: n=11, p: n=10). Blood samples were taken and a rectal palpation according to Rosenberger [2] of uterus and ovaries was done once between day 21 and 35 after calving. Furthermore all cows were observed until culling or next calving. Table 1 shows the significant differences (p<0.05) between the herb and placebo group. The fed herbal mixture seems to have an impact on the postpartal metabolic status of dairy cows which is a main factor influencing fertility [3]. The herbs seem to prolong the postnatal anoestrus but also to decrease the culling rate particularly for fertility reasons. Overall the prolonged intercalving period had a lower economic effect than the decreased culling rate
A herbal feed additive shows potential to improve metabolic situation in early lactating dairy cows
No full textThe gap between performance and feed intake in early lactating dairy cows often leads to metabolic imbalance which is connected to udder inflammation (UI).
A study with 72 dairy cows calving from November 2010 to March 2011 on 10 Swiss and German farms was conducted to test the effect of a herbal feed additive (HFA) containing mainly Urtica dioica L. (herba), Silybum marianum (L.) Gaert. (fructus), Artemisia absinthium L. (herba) and Achillea millefolium L. (herba).
Cows were stratified (farm and milk yield) randomised divided into three groups. From 14 days prior predicted calving to the end of the following lactation cows received daily 100 g pellets containing A: 100% HFA, B: 50% HFA and 50% alfalfa and C: 100% alfalfa (placebo). Two or three cows per group were included per farm. Farmers documented the pellet intake individually per cow on a daily base. Cows with an intake less than two third of the offered dose per lactation part (early: day 1 – 100; mid: day 101 – 200; late: day 201 – 300) were excluded from analyse (A: 6 cows, B: 4 cows, C: 0 cows).
Weekly milk samples from a healthy udder quarter were taken in lactation week 1 – 10 to analyse the aceton content indicating metabolic imbalance. Milk recording data (milk yield, milk contents and somatic cell score as UI marker) as well as the development of the body condition score, treatment, intercalving period and culling rate were analysed
Impact of animal health and welfare planning on medicine use, herd health and production in European organic dairy farms
No full textAchieving and maintaining high herd health and welfare status and low veterinary medicine inputs are important aims in organic livestock farming. Therefore, an on-farm intervention study (CORE Organic ANIPLAN) was conducted on 128 organic dairy farms in seven European countries aiming at minimising medicine use through animal health and welfare planning (AHWP). Medicine use (excluding complementary treatments such as homeopathic remedies) was assessed as the total number of treatments and as the number of treatments of various disease categories (udder, fertility, metabolism, locomotion and others) generated from farm records and national databases, respectively. Health and production data were calculated at farm level from milk recording data: Somatic cell score (SCS) was used as an indicator for udder health, incidences of low ( 1.5) fat–protein ratio as indicators of rumen acidosis and imbalanced energy supply, respectively. Calving interval was used as an indicator for fertility. Milk recording data and treatment data were retrospectively collected for a one year period before and after the first farm visit. Focus areas of animal health and welfare plans were either generated in Stable Schools (adapted Farmer Field Schools) or using face-to-face advice but following similar principles. Most frequently chosen focus areas were metabolic disorders (66% of farms), udder health (58%), lameness (47%), and fertility (39%). General linear models for repeated measures were used to analyse the development at the farm level. The total number of treatments, the number of udder treatments and the number of metabolic treatments were all significantly reduced during the one year study period, whilst the number of treatments of lame cows increased. With the exception of SCS, which improved significantly, the other health indicators remained stable. Milk yield and average lactation number also remained unchanged. Choice of different focus areas had no significant effects on the corresponding treatment and health variables except for indication of rumen acidosis; for the latter situation on farms with an AHWP focus on metabolic issues improved, but this was not the case across all farms. Overall, the implementation of AHWP reduced total treatment incidence and improved the udder health situation across all farms regardless of the focus areas in the AHWP. Hence, AHWP can be regarded as a feasible approach to minimising medicine use without the impairment of production and herd health under several organic dairy farming conditions in Europ
Effect of human-animal relationship and management on udder health in Swiss dairy herds
No full textIn a cross-sectional study, we investigated the effects of human-animal interactions and management factors on udder health in 46 Swiss dairy herds living in loose-housing systems on farms that participated in the Swiss dairy farm network “pro-Q.” The human-animal relationship was measured by observing milkers´ behavior, cows’ behavior during milking, and cows’ avoidance distance in the barn. Management factors were assessed by questionnaire-guided interviews and observations. Udder health was evaluated using indicators that were calculated from milk recording data over a period of 1 yr before assessment: (1) average somatic cell scores (SCS) per herd and (2) incidence of new infections per herd (NEWINF); and indicators that were calculated from quarter milk samples of all lactating cows at the time of assessment: (3) prevalence of quarters with elevated somatic cell counts (>100,000 cells/ mL; %Q>100) and (4) prevalence of mastitis quarters (>100,000 cells/mL and culturally positive; %Qmast). After univariate preselection of associated factors, multivariable linear regression models were calculated at the herd level and a multilevel regression model was calculated at the herd and cow levels for SCS. Among all of the human-animal relationship factors, the most dominant predictor for SCS, %Q>100, and %Qmast was the percentage of positive interactions of milkers with the cows in relation to all of their interactions during milking. Furthermore, a higher prevalence of fearful cows in the herd (with an avoidance distance >1 m) was associated with a higher %Q>100. In herds with a higher NEWINF, incidents of cows kicking during milking occurred more frequently. Concerning management as well as farm and herd characteristics, the following mastitis risk factors were found: (1) breed, especially Holstein with regard to SCS, NEWINF, and %Qmast; (2) high age in terms of lactation number with regard to SCS and %Qmast; (3) high amount of new infections of a cow over 1 yr with regard to SCS; (4) air-adsorption during application of teat-cups with regard to NEWINF; (5) lack of separation of diseased cows with regard to NEWINF; and (6) ample dimensions of lying places with regard to %Qmast. The results suggest that the human-animal relationship is relevant for udder health, especially for cows’ reactions to infections expressed as somatic cell count levels. Risk of infection itself appears to be mainly influenced by management factors. Hence, the human-animal relationship may be considered in extension concerning preventive mastitis control
Einfluss der Mensch-Tier-Beziehung auf die Eutergesundheit bei Milchkühen
No full textThis project is part of pro-Q-project (Promotion of udder health and quality of biologically produced milk in Switzerland; http://www.fibl.org/forschung/tiergesundheit/komplementaermedizin/pro-q.php)
Mastitis is a disease with many factors. So there is not only one solution to solve the problem of mastitis. One hypothesis regards the human-animal-relationship as one factor influencing udder health. So it can be assumed that a calm interaction leads to behavioural balanced cows followed by more stable health parameters.
Project aims:
To investigate the importance of human-animal-relationship as a mastitis factor.
Methodology:
The project is carried out on 50 farms and consists three parts:
1. Observation of vocalisation and tactile interaction during milking
2. Observation of the approach reaction of the cows to an unfamiliar person (avoidance distance)
3. Questionnaire of stockperson’s attitude
Involved organisations, project partners:
-Susanne Waiblinger, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
-Ute Knierim, University of Organic Agricultural Sciences, Kassel-Witzenhausen, Germany
-Christoph Winckler, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
Literature:
Walkenhorst, M., F. Heil, S. Ivemeyer, P. Klocke, C. Notz und J. Spranger (2005): Pro-Q: Strategien zur Verbesserung der Eutergesundheit und Minimierung des Antibiotikaeinsatzes in schweizerischen Biomilchviehbetrieben, Beitrag zur 8. Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau, Kassel, https://orgprints.org/3876/01/3876.pdf
WAIBLINGER, S., MENKE, C., COLEMAN, G. (2002): The relationship between attitudes, personal characteristics and behaviour of stockpeople and subsequent behaviour and production of dairy cows, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 79: 195-21
Individual globular domains and domain unfolding visualized in overstretched titin molecules with atomic force microscopy.
No full textTitin is a giant elastomeric protein responsible for the generation of passive muscle force. Mechanical force unfolds titin's globular domains, but the exact structure of the overstretched titin molecule is not known. Here we analyzed, by using high-resolution atomic force microscopy, the structure of titin molecules overstretched with receding meniscus. The axial contour of the molecules was interrupted by topographical gaps with a mean width of 27.7 nm that corresponds well to the length of an unfolded globular (immunoglobulin and fibronectin) domain. The wide gap-width distribution suggests, however, that additional mechanisms such as partial domain unfolding and the unfolding of neighboring domain multimers may also be present. In the folded regions we resolved globules with an average spacing of 5.9 nm, which is consistent with a titin chain composed globular domains with extended interdomain linker regions. Topographical analysis allowed us to allocate the most distal unfolded titin region to the kinase domain, suggesting that this domain systematically unfolds when the molecule is exposed to overstretching forces. The observations support the prediction that upon the action of stretching forces the N-terminal ß-sheet of the titin kinase unfolds, thus exposing the enzyme's ATP-binding site and hence contributing to the molecule's mechanosensory function.Titin is a giant elastomeric protein responsible for the generation of passive muscle force. Mechanical force unfolds titin's globular domains, but the exact structure of the overstretched titin molecule is not known. Here we analyzed, by using high-resolution atomic force microscopy, the structure of titin molecules overstretched with receding meniscus. The axial contour of the molecules was interrupted by topographical gaps with a mean width of 27.7 nm that corresponds well to the length of an unfolded globular (immunoglobulin and fibronectin) domain. The wide gap-width distribution suggests, however, that additional mechanisms such as partial domain unfolding and the unfolding of neighboring domain multimers may also be present. In the folded regions we resolved globules with an average spacing of 5.9 nm, which is consistent with a titin chain composed globular domains with extended interdomain linker regions. Topographical analysis allowed us to allocate the most distal unfolded titin region to the kinase domain, suggesting that this domain systematically unfolds when the molecule is exposed to overstretching forces. The observations support the prediction that upon the action of stretching forces the N-terminal ß-sheet of the titin kinase unfolds, thus exposing the enzyme's ATP-binding site and hence contributing to the molecule's mechanosensory function
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