-During the periparturient period, some impairment of immune defences were observed. Reference values for the different non-specific immune parameters in cows are not generally available, thus limiting the application of these parameters in dairy practice. This paper reports the data on the measurements of different parameters in the blood, and explores the possible influence of the herd on the non-specific immune status of the cow. Five herds located in Northern Italy were selected and overall 39 heifers were enrolled in the trial. Blood samples were taken 14 and 7 days before the expected date of calving, then at 7, 14, 21, 28, 45, 60, and 75 days after calving. The parameters assessed were N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAGase), lysozyme, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, haptoglobin, respiratory burst, and serum protein profile. After calving, a significant decrease of respiratory burst and nitric oxide concentration were observed in comparison with the pre-calving values but not with the post-calving samplings. Total proteins, β-and γ-globulins showed a progressive and significant increase in concentration after calving, in comparison with pre-calving values. The results of the study confirmed that a decrease of immune functions can be observed in commercial dairy herds in the first four weeks after calving. The amplitude of this phenomenon is not common to all animals and all herds, suggesting the possibility to reduce the impairment by improved management and genetic selection. heifers / periparturient period / blood / non-specific immunity

Several milk components related to immune defences (lysozyme, lactoferrin and gamma-globulins, gamma-G) and to inflammation (somatic cell counts, SCC; N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, NAGase; albumin) were considered. Forty-one quarters and 685 samples of 24 cows were included in the study; among them 534 samples were defined as negative (78.0%), 93 as diseased (13.5%) and 58 (8.5%) as subclinical. The pattern of each milk component in quarters always negative during the follow-up period was evaluated by a mixed model. Statistical analysis showed that days in milk (DIM), age (primiparous, pluriparous), herd and the interaction between herd and days in milk significantly influenced all the markers, with very few exceptions. A subset of samples including the negative quarters before the first outcome of an infection or a subclinical mastitis and the samples from quarters always negative was also selected. The analysis showed that herd, DIM and health status had a significant influence on most markers. Overall, primiparous cows were confirmed to have higher levels of most of the markers than pluriparous cows. The presence of a herd effect on non specific immune defences in fully negative quarters implies that when the mechanisms behind their release are fully elucidated, it might be possible to modulate them. Udder tissues were confirmed as an important source of some immune components, as supported by the inconsistency between SCC mean values and NAGase, lysozyme and lactoferrin values. Overall, quarters with high levels of NAGase, lysozyme and gamma-G, exposed to bacteria, did not develop subclinical mastitis. Hence, invading pathogens could induce the development of subclinical IMI when these components and gammaG are in low concentration.

-A practical protocol to study udder immune status in field conditions was planned with the aim to assess different non-specific immune parameters in milk samples from dairy heifers during the periparturient period. Five herds located in northern Italy were selected and overall 39 heifers were enrolled in the trial. Milk samples were taken at 7, 14, 21, 28, 45, 60, and 75 days after calving. The parameters assessed were N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAGase), lysozyme, respiratory burst (RB), somatic cell counts (SCC) and serum protein profile. SCC and NAGase were higher in the first sampling after calving, while lysozyme showed large variations during the observation period without a definite trend. The levels of RB observed in the first two weeks after calving, even if lower, were not statistically different from the values observed in samples taken over the following weeks. This study confirmed that the levels of immune components in milk are different from what is observed at blood level in the same cow. A significant decrease in RB in milk polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) post-calving was not observed; milk PMN from healthy cows showed low RB levels, while the values from infected quarters were significantly higher. Significant differences between healthy and infected animals were also observed for milk NAG, lactoglobulin and albumin. These data suggest that udder immune response could be influenced both by the cow immune status and by external factors such as pathogens and management. Therefore, the reduction in immune defences, particularly in heifers, is not unavoidable and methods to boost PMN activity should be explored.heifers / periparturient period / blood milk / non-specific immunity

Purpose: To compare indocyanine green angiography and four different optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) devices and to test their reproducibility in the evaluation of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Methods: This study was an observational case series of Type 1 and Type 2 CNV presenting at the Eye Clinic, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Luigi Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, imaged with indocyanine green angiography and four different OCTA devices: prototype PlexElite (Carl Zeiss Meditec), prototype Spectralis OCTA (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany), Optovue RTVue XR Avanti (Optovue, Inc, Fremont, CA), and AngioPlex (Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc, Dublin, CA). Optical coherence tomography angiography examinations were performed using a 3 × 3-mm or 6 × 6-mm volume scan pattern to capture the full lesion. The mean area of CNV, vessel density, and fractal dimension were compared between the devices. Results: Seventeen eyes of 17 patients with CNV were enrolled. The CNV area was significantly larger in indocyanine green angiography than in the OCTA devices. Moreover, the four different instruments produced measurements with different mean values of CNV area, vessel density, and fractal dimension. The Bland–Altman analysis revealed that the limits of agreement for the comparisons were not acceptable. Conclusion: The choroidal neovascularization area is larger when imaged with standard indocyanine green angiography than with different OCTA devices with different algorithms, wavelengths, and scan patterns. The differences between several OCTA devices in the evaluation of quantitative parameters of CNV, such as CNV area, vessel density, and fractal dimension, suggest the necessity to standardize OCTA measurements for research and clinical practice.

High somatic cell count (SCC) affects milk quality and cheesemaking, resulting in a reduction in cheese yield and quality. In dairy cows, quarter milk samples with > 200,000 cells/ml are considered to have subclinical mastitis, while there is much uncertainty on the corresponding levels of SCC in buffalo milk. In this study 30 lactating water buffaloes were selected and SCC, differential somatic cell counts and several whey components were tested in quarter milk samples to assess the relationship between inflammation markers and milk quality. Overall 236 quarter milk samples were considered. To evaluate the relationship between cellular markers (SCC, polymorphonuclear leucocytes, PMN, and N-Acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, NAGase) and other milk components, three classes were defined (low, medium and high). Analysis of milk yield showed a significant reduction in the high class of each of the three markers chosen. Overall, the highest class was characterized by significant changes in milk composition and a lower milk quality. The presence of an inflammatory status of the udder was frequent after the first trimester of lactation and in buffaloes with two or more parturitions. This study showed that significant changes in milk components can be observed when SCC are > 400,000 cells/ml, PMN are > 50% and NAGase is > 100 units. These thresholds could be suggested as levels to define udder health status in buffalo cows.

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Eyes with reticular pseudodrusen presented a significantly reduced retinal sensitivity than eyes with drusen with scotopic and mesopic testing. The different retinal sensitivity between patients was found despite both group presenting good visual acuity. The retinal sensitivity evaluated by mesopic testing may replace the use of scotopic testing and best-corrected visual acuity examination, saving time and providing useful information in the assessment of macular function to identify patients with risk of disease progression.

Purpose To describe two cases of macular hemorrhage in young patients, both occurred after laser exposure and cannabinoid intake during a disco party. Observations Case 1: a 21-year-old man was evaluated at our Emergency Unit for sudden vision loss in the right eye (RE). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was count fingers in the RE and 20/20 in the left eye (LE). Fundus examination revealed a broad pre-retinal hemorrhage in macular region of RE, confirmed by optical coherence tomography. The patient reported vision loss, suddenly occurred after fixation of a laser source and cannabinoid intake during a disco party the night before. We administered a macular supplement and closely followed up the patient. After two months BCVA of the right eye was 20/20. Case 2 The following day another 21-year-old man was referred to our Emergency Unit complaining of sudden vision loss in LE. As in Case 1, he reported to have fixed a laser beam as well as the consumption of cannabinoids at the same disco. BCVA was count fingers in the LE and 20/20 in the RE. Fundus examination showed a broad pre-retinal hemorrhage in macular region of LE. He had taken the macular supplement for two months and then the hemorrhage was reabsorbed. Conclusion and importance Laser exposure must be considered as a possible cause of macular hemorrhage. Furthermore, low cost of drugs and lack of formal control of laser sources may increase the emergence of new cases of retinal injuries especially among young people.