Search

The Neotropical planthopper genus Trigava O’Brien, 1999 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Dictyopharidae, Nersiini) is revised. Four species are included: T. brachycephala (Melichar, 1912) (the type species, from Peru), T. obrieni Song, Malenovský & Deckert, sp. nov. (from Brazil), T. peruensis Song, O’Brien & Bartlett, sp. nov. (from Peru), and T. recurva (Melichar, 1912) (from Bolivia and Peru). Lectotypes are designated for Igava brachycephala Melichar, 1912 and Igava recurva Melichar, 1912. All species are described, including habitus photographs and detailed illustrations of the male genitalia. Male and female genitalia are described for this genus for the first time. A key for identification of the species of Trigava and a distribution map are provided.

The efficient use of labour input is essential to the success of farms; however, many countries are experiencing a decreasing family workforce on-farm as a result of perceived labour intensive work and poor work–life balance. Four farms identified from two labour time-use studies were selected as case studies to investigate management of the family dairy farm in terms of herd size, while also meeting the labour requirements and maintaining a satisfactory work–life balance. A mixed methods approach was used; quantitative analysis described the labour profile and characteristics of the farms, while the qualitative interviews provided insights into strategies to achieve labour efficiency. The results demonstrate that a family farm with a herd size of ∼120 cows with appropriate facilities and streamlined practices can operate effectively with a total labour input of 2,986 h/yr. The labour contributed by the farmer and the farm family represented 77.5% of the total annual labour requirement. Contractors or hired employees contributed the remaining labour input, depending on individual circumstances. The annual average working day length for the farmer (excluding breaks) was 7.8 h/d. The analysed narratives of the farmers demonstrated their view that a seasonal, pasture-based spring calving system of production is a key influence in achieving relatively high labour efficiency on-farm, if it is ensured that the peak workload in spring is managed effectively. The study highlights that the overall labour demand can be reduced on Irish family farms through the management of facilities and practices. The farmer and family members can then decide on the degree of self-sufficiency with regard to labour, that is, what proportion of that labour they wish to contribute based on their lifestyle choices, cost and availability of contractors and hired workers.

Milk markers have the potential to aid in the detection of cow disease in early lactation if the automation of milk analysis becomes commonplace. Characterising temporal profiles of milk markers in dairy cows will improve the understanding of basal concentrations in clinically healthy cows. The objective of this observational study was to characterise the variation and temporal profiles of colostrum and milk haptoglobin (Hp) and substance P concentrations within 21 days postcalving in clinically healthy multiparous Holstein dairy cows. Ninety Holstein dairy cows from a commercial dairy herd were included. Milk samples were collected on the day of calving (day 0), and on days 1 to 4, 7, 14, and 21 postcalving and concentrations of Hp and substance P in colostrum (days 0 to 3) and milk (days 4, 7, 14, and 21) were determined using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay. Haptoglobin and substance P concentrations were, on average (raw means ± SD), 0.40 ± 0.26 µg/ml and 56.2 ± 38.7 pg/ml in colostrum, respectively, and 0.23 ± 0.23 µg/ml and 37.1 ± 27.8 pg/ml in milk, respectively. Haptoglobin and substance P were elevated and greatest 1 day postcalving (least squares mean ± SE of the mean; 0.53 ± 0.05 µg/ml and 46.5 ± 3.64 pg/ml, respectively) and substance P varied widely within 21 days postcalving. The presence of substance P in dairy cow colostrum was not documented previously. Elevated concentrations of Hp and substance P immediately postcalving may be due to physiological roles these inflammatory markers have in the dairy cow or neonate or may simply represent an accumulation in colostrum before the first milk is removed.

T7 RNA Polymerase (RNAP) is a widely used enzyme with recent applications in the production of RNA vaccines. For over 50 years denaturing sequencing gels have been used as key analysis tools for probing the nucleotide addition mechanisms of T7 RNAP and other polymerases. However, sequencing gels are low-throughput limiting their utility for comprehensive enzyme analysis. Here, we report the development of HiKER; (High-throughput Kinetics using Capillary Electrophoresis and Robotics) a high-throughput pipeline to quantitatively measure enzyme kinetics. We adapted a traditional polymerase misincorporation assay for fluorescent detection at scale allowing rapid estimates of RNAP misincorporation in different experimental conditions. Using this platform with an OT-2 robotics system, ~1500 time points were collected in a single workday. T7 RNAP exhibited dramatic differences in both observed rate constant and amplitude depending on the mismatch examined. An average misincorporation frequency of ~45 misincorporations per million bases was estimated using HiKER and is consistent with previous studies. Misincorporation time courses for T3 RNAP and Sp6 RNAP were also collected and appeared similar to T7 RNAP suggesting conserved kinetic mechanisms. However, differences between the RNAPs were observed in extension from base mismatch experiments. This platform is affordable, open-source, and broadly applicable to many enzymes.

The reliable supply of safe drinking water is vital for the health of human populations. Despite this, there is no consistent nationwide spatial dataset of water distribution zones (WDZ) for Aotearoa New Zealand (A-NZ). The purpose of this data article is to describe the development and validation of a consistent nationwide dataset of WDZ across A-NZ. We obtained spatial data from all 67 district and city councils through: 1) information requests between 2021 and 2023; 2) the Ministry of Health and; 3) the Institute of Environmental Science and Research. Data were modified to improve the spatial accuracy of the WDZ using auxiliary data on the building footprints (Land Information New Zealand) and the drinking water reticulation (WSP & councils). We estimated the population served by each WDZ through spatial linking to meshblock-level data provided by Statistics New Zealand (meshblocks are the smallest administrative geographic unit in A-NZ). The dataset will be useful to provide insights into the extent of the publicly-owned drinking water assets in A-NZ and is essential for the accurate exposure assessment in epidemiological research investigating the impact of drinking water quality on human health.

ABSTRACT: The seasonal workload associated with pasture-based dairy farms, combined with increasing herd sizes, has led to a renewed focus on labor time-use and efficiency on dairy farms. The objective of this study was to examine labor time-use on pasture-based dairy farms in the spring and summer seasons. A total of 82 spring-calving Irish dairy farms completed the study from February 1 to June 30, 2019 (150 d). Each farmer recorded their labor input on one alternating day each week using a smartphone app. Any labor input by farm workers not using the app was recorded through a weekly online survey. Farms with data for each month (n = 76) were classified into 1 of 4 herd size categories (HSC) for analysis: farms with 50 to 90 cows (HSC 1); 91 to 139 cows (HSC 2); 140 to 239 cows (HSC 3); and ≥240 cows (HSC 4). Total hours of labor input was similar on HSC 1 (1,821 h) and HSC 2 (2,042 h) farms, but predictably as HSC increased further, total hours of labor input increased (HSC 3: 2,462 h, HSC 4: 3,040 h). On a monthly basis, labor input peaked in February (15.4 h/d) and March (15.7 h/d). The farmer worked on average 60.0 h/wk over the duration of the study period. Hired labor and contractors completed a greater amount of work as HSC increased. Labor efficiency, as measured by hours/cow, improved as HSC increased (HSC 1: 26.3 h/cow, HSC 2: 17.7 h/cow, HSC 3: 14.3 h/cow, HSC 4: 10.9 h/cow), though there were large variations in labor efficiency within HSC. Milking was the most time-consuming task, representing 31% of farm labor input making it an important focus for potential improvements in efficiency. The next 5 most time-consuming tasks were calf care (14%), grassland management (13%), cow care (10%), repairs and maintenance (10%), and administration/business (8%). This study contributes to the understanding of labor use during the busiest (most labor demanding) time of the year on pasture-based dairy farms and points to areas where labor efficiency improvements can be made on farms. The considerable variation in farm labor efficiency observed within HSCs emphasizes the necessity for a greater focus on knowledge transfer of methods to achieve improved labor efficiency and a better work–life balance on many dairy farms. As the 2 busiest months on most dairy farms, February and March require the most focus for identification of potential labor savings.

ABSTRACT: Herd size expansion combined with the seasonal workload on pasture-based dairy farms has led to an increased focus on techniques that can improve farm labor efficiency such as work practices and technologies. The objective of this study was to identify the work practices and technologies associated with labor efficiency of particular tasks, and estimate the time savings that could be made through their implementation during the period of peak labor input on spring-calving dairy farms. Data from an existing labor time-use study, completed from February 1 to June 30, 2019 (150 d), on 76 Irish dairy farms was used in conjunction with a survey on work practice and technology implementation. One hundred ten work practices and technologies were included in the initial survey, and of these, 59 were found to have an association with labor efficiency for their respective tasks. Best practice, regarding labor efficiency, was identified for the 59 work practices and technologies. An accumulation score was compiled for work practice and technology implementation; each farm received one point for each work practice or technology implemented. On average, farms implemented 31 labor-efficient work practices and technologies (ranging from 10–45). The most labor-efficient 25% of farms implemented a greater number of work practices and technologies (n = 37) than the least labor-efficient 25% of farms (n = 25). Multiple regression models estimated that each additional work practice or technology implemented would improve farm labor efficiency by 0.6 h/cow. Additionally, backward-regression models were used to predict the labor-savings associated with the most important work practices and technologies. Labor-savings were estimated for 12 significant individual work practices and technologies, of which 5 were related to milking, 4 to calf care, 2 to cow care, and one to grassland management. The work practices and technologies that offered the largest labor-savings included having one person in the milking pit during the mid-lactation period (−3.04 h/cow), having automatic cluster removers present (−2.55 h/cow) and contracting slurry spreading (−1.78 h/cow). This study focused on the variety of labor-efficient work practices and technologies available and highlighted those that farmers should focus on to improve labor efficiency. The results indicated that there is scope for improvement in the adoption of labor-saving work practices and technologies on many farms. The positive effect of implementing the identified labor-saving techniques on labor efficiency could be used to support future adoption.

The Irish dairy sector is recognised for its very significant contribution to the national economic status; it is now worth ∼€5 billion annually and represents the largest food and drink export category, which, in turn, represents one of the four largest manufacturing industries in the country. Given anticipated further growth in global demand for dairy products and the positive attributes and capabilities that Ireland has to meet that demand, in terms of pasture-based production and cost competitiveness, it is incumbent for the sector to attain the highest quality milk and dairy products. The combined collaborative approach between research and industry has ensured significant progress and enabled Ireland to remain at the forefront globally in terms of production of quality milk and dairy products. This paper highlights some specific scientific platforms and technologies currently shaping the industry in this regard and discusses current research activity as well as anticipating key requirements for future progress. While research, and farm and processing plant management have accomplished very significant advances in milk and dairy product quality, some overarching emerging challenges include product substitution and sustainability. Some key pillars for the future have been identified on which a strong, efficient dairy sector can be maintained and progressed. Specifically, the use of evidence-based information and real-time measures in prediction and decision-making will be a crucial pillar for the dairy sector of the future. This can promote an approach of proactive maintenance and optimisation of production through improved predictability and control of manufacturing processes.

Abstract A role for vitamin D in the immune system is emerging from human research but data in the bovine is limited. In the current study, 48 Holstein–Friesian calves were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups designed to expose calves to divergent vitamin D levels for a 7 month period and to determine its effects on circulating immunity in young calves. Concentrations of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) was measured in serum using a commercial ELISA with validated bovine standards. Results showed that mean circulating concentrations of 25OHD at birth was 7.64 ± 3.21 ng/ml indicating vitamin D deficiency. Neither the injection of Vit D3 at birth nor the elevated levels in milk replacer yield discernible changes to pre-weaning circulating concentration of 25OHD. No calf reached the recommended level of vitamin D immune sufficiencyof 30 ng/ml of 25OHD until at least 3 months of age (T4). Increasing dietary Vit D3 via ration in the post-weaning period significantly elevated 25OHD concentrations in serum in VitD-In calves. Maximal levels of circulating 25OHD were achieved in VitD-Out calves, reaching 60.86 ± 7.32 ng/ml at 5 months of age (T7). Greatest divergence in haematology profile was observed between Ctl-In vs VitD-In groups with Ctl-In calves showing an elevated count of neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils associated with reduced 25OHD concentrations. Neither IL-8 expression nor ROS production in serum were significantly different between calves with high and low 25OHD, indicating that other vitamin D-dependent mechanisms may contribute to the divergent circulating cellular profiles observed. This novel data on the vitamin D status of neonatal calves identifies a significant window of vitamin D insufficiency which is associated with significant differences in circulating immune cell profiles. Vitamin D insufficiency may therefore exacerbate pre-weaning disease susceptibility, and further work in now warranted.

Introduction Long-term survival after childhood cancer often comes at the expense of late, adverse health conditions. However, survivorship care is frequently not available for adult survivors in Europe. The PanCareFollowUp Consortium therefore developed the PanCareFollowUp Care Intervention, an innovative person-centred survivorship care model based on experiences in the Netherlands. This paper describes the protocol of the prospective cohort study (Care Study) to evaluate the feasibility and the health economic, clinical and patient-reported outcomes of implementing PanCareFollowUp Care as usual care in four European countries.Methods and analysis In this prospective, longitudinal cohort study with at least 6 months of follow-up, 800 childhood cancer survivors will receive the PanCareFollowUp Care Intervention across four study sites in Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy and Sweden, representing different healthcare systems. The PanCareFollowUp Care Intervention will be evaluated according to the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance framework. Clinical and research data are collected through questionnaires, a clinic visit for multiple medical assessments and a follow-up call. The primary outcome is empowerment, assessed with the Health Education Impact Questionnaire. A central data centre will perform quality checks, data cleaning and data validation, and provide support in data analysis. Multilevel models will be used for repeated outcome measures, with subgroup analysis, for example, by study site, attained age, sex or diagnosis.Ethics and dissemination This study will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines of Good Clinical Practice and the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol has been reviewed and approved by all relevant ethics committees. The evidence and insights gained by this study will be summarised in a Replication Manual, also including the tools required to implement the PanCareFollowUp Care Intervention in other countries. This Replication Manual will become freely available through PanCare and will be disseminated through policy and press releases.Trial registration number Netherlands Trial Register (NL8918; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8918).

Genetic and preclinical studies have implicated adenylyl cyclase 1 (AC1) as a potential target for the treatment of chronic inflammatory pain. AC1 activity is increased following inflammatory pain stimuli and AC1 knockout mice show a marked reduction in responses to inflammatory pain. Previous drug discovery efforts have centered around the inhibition of AC1 activity in cell-based assays. In the present study, we used an in vitro approach focused on inhibition of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) and AC1, an interaction that is required for activation of AC1. We developed a novel fluorescence polarization (FP) assay focused on the PPI between an AC1 peptide and CaM and used this assay to screen over 23,000 compounds for inhibitors of the AC1-CaM PPI. Next, we used a cellular NanoBiT assay to validate 21 FP hits for inhibition of the AC1-CaM PPI in a cellular context with full-length proteins. Based on efficacy, potency, and selectivity for AC1, hits 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, and 21 were prioritized. We then tested these compounds for inhibition of AC1 activity in cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation assays, using HEK293 cells stably expressing AC1. Hit 15 contained a dithiophene scaffold and was of particular interest because it shared structural similarities with our recently reported benzamide series of AC1 inhibitors. We next tested a small set of 13 compounds containing the dithiophene scaffold for structure-activity relationship studies. Although many compounds were non-selective, we observed trends for tuning AC1/AC8 selectivity based on heterocycle type and substituents. Having an ethyl on the central thiophene caused the scaffold to be more selective for AC8. Cyclization of the alkyl substituent fused to the thiophene significantly reduced activity and also shifted selectivity toward AC8. Notably, combining the fused cyclohexane-thiophene ring system with a morpholine heterocycle significantly increased potency at both AC1 and AC8. Through designing a novel FP screen and NanoBiT assay, and evaluating hits in cAMP accumulation assays, we have discovered a novel, potent, dithiophene scaffold for inhibition of the AC1- and AC8-CaM PPI. We also report the most potent fully efficacious inhibitor of AC8 activity known to-date.

Evaluation of teat disinfectant products for their effectiveness against the most prevalent mastitis-causing bacteria is important to identify the most effective ingredients against specific bacterial strains. Ninety-six commercially available teat disinfectant products were tested against three bacterial strains associated with mastitis in Ireland (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis and Escherichia coli) using the disc diffusion method. Products were reclassified by active ingredients (n = 9) for analysis. These ingredient groups included: chlorhexidine (n = 25), chlorine dioxide (n = 5), diamine (n = 1), iodine (n = 13), iodine combined with lactic acid (n = 5), lactic acid (n = 15), lactic acid combined with chlorhexidine (n = 21), lactic acid combined with hydrogen peroxide (n = 1) and lactic acid combined with salicylic acid (n = 10). The ingredient group chlorine dioxide resulted in the greatest zones of inhibition for all three bacterial strains. An individual product containing a combination of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide resulted in the greatest zone of inhibition for Sta. aureus and Str. uberis, whereas a specific product within the chlorine dioxide group resulted in the greatest zones of inhibition for E. coli. High concentrations of active ingredient did not necessarily increase the effectiveness for the majority of teat disinfectant products. It is possible to use the disc diffusion method to evaluate/screen a large number of teat disinfectant products prior to conducting field trials to establish the products’ ability to reduce intramammary infections (IMI).

Objective Determine the pharmacokinetics (PK) and exposure–response of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and desethylhydroxychloroquine (DHCQ) in paediatric SLE (pSLE).Methods We conducted an exploratory phase 2, direct-to-family trial. Children enrolled in the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) Registry with a diagnosis of pSLE were eligible if they were receiving HCQ as standard of care for ≥3 months. Biological samples were collected at up to four visits over a 6-month period. At each visit, plasma was obtained to measure the concentrations of HCQ and DHCQ, as well as cytokines. HCQ and DHCQ plasma PK data were analysed using a population PK modelling approach.Results Twenty-five subjects provided a total of 88 plasma concentrations for PK analysis. There was a poor linear fit between HCQ concentrations and total body weight (R2=0.03). There was a decline in both interferon (IFN)-alpha and IFN-gamma with higher concentrations of HCQ and DHCQ. Volume of distribution for HCQ in plasma was higher in children compared with published values in adults (73 000 L vs 44 000 L), but clearance values in children were similar to adults.Conclusions We report the first population PK model for HCQ and DHCQ in children using data from a novel direct-to-family clinical trial. We observed high interindividual variability in HCQ PK and found that weight-based dosing for HCQ is poorly correlated with drug concentrations, suggesting the need to use therapeutic drug monitoring to individualise dosing. Furthermore, our results suggest that the current weight-based dosing paradigm for HCQ may result in suboptimal drug exposures, particularly for children with obesity. Accordingly, additional studies of HCQ are needed in pSLE to determine the optimal drug concentration and dosing to reduce disease activity and improve outcomes.Trial registration number NCT04358302.

Introduction/Background: Adults with chest pain presenting to an emergency department are high-risk and high-volume. A methodology which gathers practicing physicians together to review evidence and share practice experience to formulate a written algorithm with key decision points and measures is discussed with implementation, based on change management principles, and results. Methods: A methodology was followed to “establish the standard-of-care”. Literature and data were reviewed, a written consensus algorithm was designed with ability to track adherence and deviations. We performed a before and after analysis of a performance improvement intervention in adult patients with undifferentiated chest pain in our nine-campus hospital system in Florida between January 1st, 2014 and December 31st, 2018. Results: A total of 200,691 patients were identified as adults with chest pain and the algorithm was used. A dramatic change in the disposition decision rate was noted. When the ‘Baseline-Year’ was compared with the ‘Performance-Year’, chest pain patients discharged from the ED increased by 99%, those going to the ‘Observation’ status decreased by 20%, and inpatient admissions decreased by 63% (p

The commercially available collar device MooMonitor+ was evaluated with regards to accuracy and application potential for measuring grazing behavior. These automated measurements are crucial as cows feed intake behavior at pasture is an important parameter of animal performance, health and welfare as well as being an indicator of feed availability. Compared to laborious and time-consuming visual observation, the continuous and automated measurement of grazing behavior may support and improve the grazing management of dairy cows on pasture. Therefore, there were two experiments as well as a literature analysis conducted to evaluate the MooMonitor+ under grazing conditions. The first experiment compared the automated measurement of the sensor against visual observation. In a second experiment, the MooMonitor+ was compared to a noseband sensor (RumiWatch), which also allows continuous measurement of grazing behavior. The first experiment on n = 12 cows revealed that the automated sensor MooMonitor+ and visual observation were highly correlated as indicated by the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (rs) = 0.94 and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) = 0.97 for grazing time. An rs-value of 0.97 and CCC = 0.98 was observed for rumination time. In a second experiment with n = 12 cows over 24-h periods, a high correlation between the MooMonitor+ and the RumiWatch was observed for grazing time as indicated by an rs-value of 0.91 and a CCC-value of 0.97. Similarly, a high correlation was observed for rumination time with an rs-value of 0.96 and a CCC-value of 0.99. While a higher level of agreement between the MooMonitor+ and both visual observation and RumiWatch was observed for rumination time compared to grazing time, the overall results showed a high level of accuracy of the collar device in measuring grazing and rumination times. Therefore, the collar device can be applied to monitor cow behavior at pasture on farms. With regards to the application potential of the collar device, it may not only be used on commercial farms but can also be applied to research questions when a data resolution of 15 min is sufficient. Thus, at farm level, the farmer can get an accurate and continuous measurement of grazing behavior of each individual cow and may then use those data for decision-making to optimize the animal management.

Preimplantation factor (PIF) is an evolutionary conserved peptide secreted by viable embryos which promotes maternal tolerance without immune suppression. Synthetic PIF (sPIF) replicates native peptide activity. The aim of this study was to conduct the first‐in‐human trial of the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of sPIF in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). We performed a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, prospective phase I clinical trial. Patients were adults with documented AIH with compensated chronic liver disease. Diagnosis of AIH was confirmed by either a pretreatment International Criteria for the Diagnosis of AIH score of 15 or more, or a posttreatment score of 17 or more. Patients were divided into three dosing cohorts (0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/kg) of 6 patients in each group. Three patients in each group had normal liver tests and 3 patients had abnormal liver tests. They were randomized to receive a single, subcutaneous dose of either sPIF or a matching placebo. Eighteen patients were enrolled, and all successfully completed the trial. There were no clinically significant adverse events and all doses were well tolerated. Ascending doses of sPIF produced a linear increase in the respective serum levels with a half‐life of 90 minutes. There were no grade 2, 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities. No patient developed detectable anti‐sPIF antibodies. Conclusion: This first‐in‐human trial of the safety and pharmacokinetics of sPIF (a novel biologic immune modulatory agent) demonstrated both excellent safety and tolerability. The data support further studies of multiple ascending doses of sPIF in autoimmune hepatitis and potentially other autoimmune disorders.

The objective of this experiment was to establish the effect of low-concentrate (LC) and high-concentrate (HC) supplementation in the early and late periods of lactation on milk production and cow traffic in a pasture-based automatic milking (AM) system. In total, 40 cows (10 primiparous and 30 multiparous) were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments. The experimental periods for the early and late lactation trials extended from 23 February to 12 April 2015 and 31 August to 18 October 2015, respectively (49 days in each trial period). The early lactation supplement levels were 2.3 and 4.4 kg/cow per day for LC and HC, respectively, whereas the late lactation supplement levels were 0.5 and 2.7 kg/cow per day for LC and HC, respectively. Variables measured included milking frequency, milking interval, milking outcome and milking characteristics, milk yield/visit and per day, wait time/visit and per day, return time/visit and the distribution of gate passes. As the herd was seasonal (spring) calving, the experimental periods could not run concurrently and as a result no statistical comparison between the periods was conducted. There was no significant effect of treatment in the early lactation period on any of the milk production, milking characteristics or cow traffic variables. However, treatment did significantly affect the distribution of gate passes, with the HC cows recording significantly more gate passes in the hours preceding the gate time change such as hours 7 (P

BackgroundSalt fortified with the drug, diethylcarbamazine (DEC), and introduced into a competitive market has the potential to overcome the obstacles associated with tablet-based Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) elimination programs. Questions remain, however, regarding the economic viability, production capacity, and effectiveness of this strategy as a sustainable means to bring about LF elimination in resource poor settings.Methodology and principal findingsWe evaluated the performance and effectiveness of a novel social enterprise-based approach developed and tested in Léogâne, Haiti, as a strategy to sustainably and cost-efficiently distribute DEC-medicated salt into a competitive market at quantities sufficient to bring about the elimination of LF. We undertook a cost-revenue analysis to evaluate the production capability and financial feasibility of the developed DEC salt social enterprise, and a modeling study centered on applying a dynamic mathematical model localized to reflect local LF transmission dynamics to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of using this intervention versus standard annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) for eliminating LF in Léogâne. We show that the salt enterprise because of its mixed product business strategy may have already reached the production capacity for delivering sufficient quantities of edible DEC-medicated salt to bring about LF transmission in the Léogâne study setting. Due to increasing revenues obtained from the sale of DEC salt over time, expansion of its delivery in the population, and greater cumulative impact on the survival of worms leading to shorter timelines to extinction, this strategy could also represent a significantly more cost-effective option than annual DEC tablet-based MDA for accomplishing LF elimination.SignificanceA social enterprise approach can offer an innovative market-based strategy by which edible salt fortified with DEC could be distributed to communities both on a financially sustainable basis and at sufficient quantity to eliminate LF. Deployment of similarly fashioned intervention strategies would improve current efforts to successfully accomplish the goal of LF elimination, particularly in difficult-to-control settings.

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 0.05). High nutritional level cows had higher average flow-rates (P 0.05). However, HK values were positively correlated with daily milking time for OAD cows for 6 months of lactation (P