Animal welfare and biosecurity assessment: a comparison between Italian and Irish beef cattle rearing systems

Context European beef production is facing fresh challenges on various fronts: increasing public concern on animal welfare; declining EU meat consumption; and, conversely, expected growth in global demand for meat. The Italian National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare (CReNBA) has developed an assessment protocol for collecting information about beef cattle welfare and biosecurity conditions, with the intention of better understanding animal needs and disseminating best practices. Aims The protocol was applied on Italian and Irish farms, and the results were used as a starting point for a specific statistical analysis for comparing animal welfare and biosecurity levels in the two countries. Methods The protocol consists of animal-based measures and non-animal-based measures (management-based and resource-based indicators) and has been designed to determine the major hazards and benefits that can influence cattle health and welfare, including the presence of biosecurity issues. The outcomes of welfare and biosecurity assessments conducted during November 2016–July 2017 of 40 Irish beef herds reared indoors were compared with those of 85 Italian beef units assessed over the same period. Differences obtained within each beef-unit distribution were calculated by the VARNC index (diversity index), and a distance estimate of the beef-unit distribution from a hypothetical ideal condition was calculated by using the distance from ideal (dfi) index. Key results The dfi index revealed that Irish farms were closer to the ideal condition for the measures ‘experience and training of stockpersons’, ‘water provision’, ‘handling facilities’, ‘restraint facilities’, and ‘temperature, humidity and ventilations conditions’. Italian farms were closer to the ideal condition for ‘diet calculation and feed quality’, ‘feeding management’, ‘feeding place dimension’, ‘cleanliness of water points’, ‘cleanliness of floors’, ‘type of floors’, ‘cleanliness of animals’, and ‘integument alterations’. In contrast to the Italian farms, there was particular awareness of the importance of biosecurity on Irish farms. Conclusions The results revealed intrinsic management and housing differences between the two rearing systems, although only few dissimilarities were found in the animal outcomes: in fact, the assessment of the animal-based measures gave very similar results for the two countries, except for ‘cleanliness of the animals’ and ‘integument alterations’. Implications In the face of global challenges affecting the pursuit of farming sustainability, farmers should be encouraged to improve safeguards for animal welfare and reduce the spread of animal diseases. This can be achieved by facilitating knowledge exchange internationally.

The Community-targeted Self-management of Epilepsy and Mental Illness (C-TIME) initiative: A research, community, and healthcare administration partnership to reduce epilepsy burden

AIMS

Comorbid mental health conditions (MHCs) such as depression and anxiety are common in people with epilepsy. Targeted Self-Management for Epilepsy and Mental Illness (TIME) is a behavioral program that targets mood symptoms in adults with epilepsy and comorbid MHCs. Building upon positive findings of a randomized controlled study to establish the efficacy of TIME, the Community-TIME (C-TIME) initiative assessed the implementation feasibility and pre-/post-outcomes of this new evidence-based epilepsy self-management intervention in a community setting and in collaboration with key stakeholders.

METHODS

The C-TIME program is a group-format curriculum-based intervention delivered in ten 60-90 sessions over the course of 12 weeks. The C-TIME initiative used research staff to guide intervention performance evaluation, staff of a regional epilepsy advocacy agency to assist with community engagement and a county mental health services agency to support the transition from science to service. Process evaluations included outreach and engagement efforts needed to reach people with epilepsy and MHCs, the barriers and facilitators to roll out, and the participants' retention and satisfaction. The primary intervention participant outcome was depressive symptom severity at 4-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Referrals came from a variety of sources and approximately 1 in 3 referrals resulted in an enrollment. Thirty individuals were enrolled in 3 "cohorts" of 10. The most common reason for not being enrolled postscreening was that individuals did not show up for the baseline evaluation. Mean age of participants was 49.1 (12.8) years, 50% (N = 15) female, 55.2% (N = 16) white, 34.5% (N = 10) African-American. With respect to participation, 2/3 of the enrolled sample attended at least 7 out of the maximum 10 C-TIME sessions. Mean number of C-TIME sessions attended was 6.9 (4.1). Five participants (17%) had family members attend the C-TIME sessions, although family members were encouraged to play a supportive rather than primary role. Four-month follow-up outcome evaluation was available for 66% of the enrolled group. There was a significant reduction in depression severity, and patient satisfaction was over 90%.

CONCLUSIONS

The C-TIME program can be successfully implemented in the community and is associated with improved outcomes in adults with epilepsy and comorbid MHCs. Continued and broader scale-up of C-TIME and similar approaches could reach larger groups of adults with epilepsy and improve the health of our communities.

Proteome Speciation by Mass Spectrometry: Characterization of Composite Protein Mixtures in Milk Replacers

The ability of tandem mass spectrometry to determine the primary structure of proteolytic peptides can be exploited to trace back the organisms from which the corresponding proteins were extracted. This information can be important when food products, such as protein powders, can be supplemented with lower-quality starting materials. In order to dissect the origin of proteinaceous material composing a given unknown mixture, a two-step database search strategy for bottom-up nanoscale liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS/MS) data was implemented. A single nanoLC-MS/MS analysis was sufficient not only to determine the qualitative composition of the mixtures under examination, but also to assess the relative percent composition of the various proteomes, if dedicated calibration curves were previously generated. The approach of two-step database search for qualitative analysis and proteome total ion current (pTIC) calculation for quantitative analysis was applied to several binary and ternary mixtures which mimic the composition of milk replacers typically used in calf feeding.

Anatomical study of the musculus deltoideus and musculus flexor carpi ulnaris in 3 species of wild birds

Given the limited information regarding the anatomy of the thoracic limb in European avian species, we decided to investigate the related muscles in the grey heron (Ardea cinerea), in the eurasian buzzard (Buteo buteo), and in the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Therefore we performed a stratigraphic dissection of the wing in 3 subjects. The pars major and minor of the musculus deltoideus, despite being roughly in line with those reported by other authors in other species, displayed unique features. Concerning the pars propatagialis of the musculus deltoideus, from what was observed in the grey heron, we believe this structure can contribute to maintain the propatagial tension. In this way vibrations of this structure, which could cause diminished lift, are avoided. Moreover the peculiarity evidenced in the distal insertion of the common kestrel could influence the control of the pronation-supination of the wing during hovering. With respect to the musculus flexor carpi ulnaris, we believe the presence of a sesamoid-like structure at the base tendon, found in the grey heron and in the eurasian buzzard, may help complete the articular surfaces of the elbow. This study shows interesting data on species not previously examined and provides a possible functional correlation between the peculiarity observed and the kind of flight of each species.

Screening practices for gestational diabetes mellitus in UK obstetric units

AIM

To identify current screening practices for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in all maternity units.

METHODS

A questionnaire was sent to the senior obstetrician of all obstetric units known to the UK Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

RESULTS

A response rate of 84% was achieved. 89% of units reported that they screened for GDM with a wide variation in the screening methods used, both between and within units. The most commonly employed procedure (81% of units) was screening based on the presence of maternal risk factors. The 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was the commonest diagnostic test (79% of units). Sixty-six per cent of units operate a combined diabetic antenatal clinic and 58% of units have written guidelines for screening. Seventy-six per cent of units would welcome national guidelines.

CONCLUSION

The majority of obstetric units in the UK screen for GDM but with little consensus on the appropriate screening methods. National guidelines would probably be welcomed.

An economic evaluation of daycare in the management of hypertension in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficiency of daycare in the management of hypertension in pregnancy compared with inpatient management with prior domiciliary visits.

DESIGN

Comparative study.

SETTING

Two maternity teaching hospitals, Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital which has an established daycare unit and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital with no daycare unit.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pregnancy outcomes in terms of maternal hypertensive complications, gestation at delivery, mode of delivery, birthweight, Apgar scores, admission rates and length of admission to special care baby unit.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in any of the measured pregnancy outcomes between the two hospitals. The average cost of treating a women with mild hypertension was 154.91 pounds in Glasgow and 136.59 pounds in Aberdeen. The average cost of treating women with a single episode of hypertension and women with a past history of hypertension was 88.65 pounds and 214.12 pounds in Glasgow and 31.18 pounds and 28.28 pounds in Aberdeen, respectively. If these two groups are excluded, the average cost of treating women with mild hypertension was 172.32 pounds in Glasgow and 201.13 pounds in Aberdeen. The majority of women were willing to attend daycare five times per week to avoid admission.

CONCLUSION

Daycare management of hypertension in pregnancy is more efficient than inpatient care with prior domiciliary visits for most women, but less efficient for women with transient or previous hypertension. It is very acceptable to women. Domiciliary checking of women with hypertension found at outpatient clinics would reduce resource use.