Impact of housing system on intestinal microbiota of laying hens - A systematic review

Studies on the housing system's impact on laying hens' intestinal microbiota were retrieved from the Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus (between 2017 and 2022). Inclusion criteria were studies that discussed measurable effects related to the topic written in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Of 3281 articles in the identification stage, 12 studies were used in the systematic review. Asia developed most research relating to the subject. Most studies compared the intestinal microbiota of laying hens from conventional cages versus Cage-Free or Free-Range. However, no study has evaluated the intestinal microbiota of laying hens maintained in an organic system. Greengene and Silva were the most used reference in the studies. According to the results observed in the studies included in the systematic review, there is greater alpha diversity in the alternative system and a high dissimilarity between the conventional and alternative systems. Exposure to environmental factors such as soil, vegetation, natural lighting, access to pastures, and ingesting fibrous foods can lead to changes in the intestinal microbiota. A brief outline of published scientific evidence demonstrates that the housing system can change the gut microbiome of hens. This study summarises the relationship between the housing system and the intestinal microbiome of laying hens and provides a roadmap for future research regarding the gut microbiome of hens.

Cold-Water Immersion and Lower Limb Muscle Oxygen Consumption as Measured by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Trained Endurance Athletes

CONTEXT

Cold-water immersion (CWI) has been reported to reduce tissue metabolism postimmersion, but physiological data are lacking regarding the muscle metabolic response to its application. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive optical technique that can inform muscle hemodynamics and tissue metabolism.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of CWI at 2 water temperatures (10°C and 15°C) on NIRS-calculated measurements of muscle oxygen consumption (mVO2).

DESIGN

Crossover study.

SETTING

University sports rehabilitation center.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

A total of 11 male National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II long-distance runners (age = 23.4 ± 3.4 years, height = 1.8 ± 0.1 m, mass = 68.8 ± 10.7 kg, mean adipose tissue thickness = 6.7 ± 2.7 mm).

INTERVENTION(S)

Cold-water immersion at 10°C and 15°C for 20 minutes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

We calculated mVO2 preimmersion and postimmersion at water temperatures of 10°C and 15°C. Changes in tissue oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxyhemoglobin (HHb), total hemoglobin (tHb), hemoglobin difference (Hbdiff), and tissue saturation index (TSI %) were measured during the 20-minute immersion at both temperatures.

RESULTS

We observed a decrease in mVO2 after immersion at both 10°C and 15°C (F1,9 = 27.7801, P = .001). During the 20-minute immersion at both temperatures, we noted a main effect of time for O2Hb (F3,27 = 14.227, P = .001), HHb (F3,27 = 5.749, P = .009), tHb (F3,27 = 24.786, P = .001), and Hbdiff (F3,27 = 3.894, P = .020), in which values decreased over the course of immersion. Post hoc pairwise comparisons showed that these changes occurred within the final 5 minutes of immersion for tHb and O2Hb.

CONCLUSIONS

A 20-minute CWI at 10°C and 15°C led to a reduction in mVO2. This was greater after immersion at 10°C. The reduction in mVO2 suggests a decrease in muscle metabolic activity (ie, O2 use after CWI). Calculating mVO2 via the NIRS-occlusion technique may offer further insight into muscle metabolic responses beyond what is attainable from observing the NIRS primary signals.

Rice, soy, and whey protein coatings as carriers to extend egg shelf life

This study aimed to compare and evaluate the effects of different protein coatings on maintaining the quality of eggs stored for six weeks at 20 °C. 308 brown table eggs from ISA Brown hens were used for four treatments: uncoated eggs, coated with rice protein concentrate – RPC, soy protein concentrate – SPC, and whey protein concentrate – WPC. Eggs started with Haugh Units (HU) of 82.01 and reduced in proportions of 28.75% (control), 12.82% (RPC), 12.90% (SPC), and 10.54% (WPC) on the last day of storage. Coated eggs showed smaller reductions (P < 0.0001) in this response. Protein coatings can effectively maintain the quality of eggs stored for six weeks at 20 °C. However, the WPC coating maintained the highest egg rate and the best yolk index for eggs stored for six weeks at 20 °C.

280 PERCEIVED NEED FOR A CLINICAL ETHICS SUPPORT SERVICE AT AN IRISH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Background

Ethics are the set of moral principles that guide a person’s behaviour. Ethical issues are a key component of healthcare and frequently arise in the management of hospitalized older patients. To improve decision-making and reduce burden on individual hospital staff, Clinical Ethics Support Services (CESS) have been widely-integrated into care pathways internationally. However, the need for CESS has received little attention in Irish hospitals.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of the ethical situation and CESS readiness at a tertiary hospital in Ireland was collected from July-October 2021 and in February 2022 via hard copies and online collection (SurveyMonkey). Both clinical (medicine, nursing other patient care role) and non-clinical (administrative, clerical, ICT, HR, general support staff and management) staff participated. Descriptive statistics were assessed taking the valid percentages, mean 5-item Likert scores and Friedman Test mean rank for ten ranked statements.

Results

In total, 199 people (13% response rate) completed the survey. Staff were largely (76%) clinical and the majority were qualified &gt;10 years (57%). In all, 78% reported that ethical issues arise in the role (83% clinical staff, 59% non-clinical staff). Most (63%) were unsure who to contact about ethical concerns, instead seeking informal advice from colleagues (&gt;90%). The majority of participants were interested in additional ethical training, especially on decision-making capacity (mean interest 4.18 out of 5), strategies for working with challenging patient/family situations (4.07 out of 5) and end-of-life care (4.06 out of 5). Out of ten options assessed, participants preferenced the development of a formal clinical ethics committee over education and training or the provision of educational materials.

Conclusion

Ethical issues commonly arise when caring for older hospitalized patients. This study found a perceived need and widespread interest in additional education as well as formal approaches to develop a hospital-based CESS, centred around a formal committee structure.

141 USING A TEMPLATE TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION ON DISCHARGE LETTERS REGARDING BONE PROTECTION THERAPY AFTER HIP FRACTURE

Background

Hip fractures are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality amongst older adults. The Irish Hip Fracture Database Standard 5 requires that all patients with hip fracture have a bone health assessment completed; most are commenced on bone protection therapy (BPT) to reduce future fractures. Communication to general practitioners (GPs) regarding long-term BPT is often incomplete and challenging to improve. We aimed to upgrade this communication process at discharge.

Methods

Initial audit was conducted assessing documentation of BPT after hip fracture in discharge letters to GPs. Subsequently we created a detailed BPT template for discharge letters containing clear information for GPs regarding medication initiation and advice for ongoing management. The template was introduced and doctors were educated on its use. We then re-audited discharge letters following this intervention. Patients included were over 60 years old with hip fracture. Patients deemed clinically unsuitable for BPT were excluded.

Results

Ninety discharge letters were reviewed, 45 at initial audit and another 45 after introducing the BPT template. Mean age was 80 years old, 66 (73%) were female. In the first audit cycle, 28/45 discharge letters (62%) briefly specified BPT. On repeating the audit cycle (following introduction of the discharge letter template) all 45/45 discharge letters (100%) clearly specified BPT. Most letters (41/45; 91%) included the detailed BPT template. Following this intervention all doctors reported increased awareness and understanding of BPT, and satisfaction with template use in discharge letters.

Conclusion

Effective implementation of a discharge letter template significantly improved communication to GPs regarding BPT following hip fracture.

Investigating Friendship Difficulties in the Pathway from ADHD to Depressive Symptoms. Can Parent-Child Relationships Compensate?

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with friendship difficulties. This may partly account for the increasingly recognised association between ADHD and subsequent depression. Little is known about the types of friendship difficulties that could contribute to the association between ADHD and depressive symptoms and whether other relationships, such as parent-child relationships, can mitigate against potential adverse effects of friendship difficulties. In a representative UK school sample (n = 1712), three main features of friendship (presence of friends, friendship quality and characteristics of the individual's classroom friendship group) were assessed in a longitudinal study with two assessment waves (W1, W2) during the first year of secondary school (children aged 11-12 years). These friendship features (W1) were investigated as potential mediators of the prospective association between teacher-rated ADHD symptoms (W1) and self-rated depressive symptoms (W2) seven months later. Parent-child relationship quality (W1) was tested as a moderator of any indirect effects of ADHD on depression via friendship. ADHD symptoms were inversely associated with friendship presence, friendship quality and positive characteristics of classroom friendship groups. Depressive symptoms were inversely associated with presence and quality of friendships. Friendship quality had indirect effects in the association between ADHD and subsequent depressive symptoms. There was some evidence of moderated mediation, whereby indirect effects via friendship quality attenuated slightly as children reported warmer parent-child relationships. This highlights the importance of considering the quality of friendships and parent-child relationships in children with ADHD symptoms. Fostering good quality relationships may help disrupt the link between ADHD symptomology and subsequent depression risk.

Sistema de alojamento durante a prenhez sobre os parâmetros comportamentais, reprodutivos e sanitários de porcas

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se os parâmetros comportamentais, reprodutivos e de saúde podem diferir entre as porcas alojadas individualmente durante a gestação (Individual) ou alojadas em grupos entre os dias 3 a 5 (Grupo5) ou 38 a 42 (Grupo42) após a inseminação. Após a inseminação, 198 porcas de uma mesma granja comercial foram alocadas aleatoriamente em um dos três tratamentos, denominados sistema Individual, Grupo5 e Grupo42. Houve interação entre o sistema de alojamento e o tempo de gestação sobre os parâmetros comportamentais. A prevalência de porcas com comportamento ativo foi maior no sistema Individual do que nos sistemas em grupos. As porcas no sistema Individual apresentaram maior prevalência de comportamento exploratório do que as porcas no sistema Grupo5. As porcas no sistema Individual apresentaram menor prevalência de problemas de saúde, como vulva e lesões corporais e esterco no corpo, e maior prevalência de prolapso retal e constipação do que as porcas nos sistemas de grupos. As porcas no sistema Grupo42 apresentaram maior número de leitões nascidos vivos, total de leitões nascidos e menor período de gestação do que as porcas no sistema Individual. Menor número de fetos mumificados e maior número de natimortos e natimortos tipo 2 foram associados a porcas no sistema Grupo5. As porcas no sistema Grupo5 apresentaram redução de problemas de saúde, como prolapso retal e bursite e inflamação de pele, além de resfriados, e diminuíram o nível de estresse pois apresentaram maior expressão de comportamento social positivo e diminuição de comportamentos estereotipados, além de manterem os parâmetros reprodutivos semelhantes àquelas do sistema Individual.

Origin and population structure of Brazilian hair sheep breeds

Brazilian hair sheep constitute a genetic diversity hotspot. These animals are found in the harsh environments of the Brazilian Northwest (semi-arid) region. Genotypes (50K SNP chip) from seven Brazilian sheep breeds (five hair and two coarse wool types) and 87 worldwide breeds were used to test for population structure, admixture and genetic diversity. Moreover, phylogenetic trees evaluating migration events between genetic groups were built. Brazilian Somali, a fat-tailed breed, had a close relationship with East African breeds and clustered distinctly from other Brazilian breeds. Brazilian Blackbelly and Barbados Blackbelly had a close relationship. The Morada Nova breed did not show close relationships with European or African breeds, revealing a single migration event from an Algerian hair breed. Brazilian Fat-tail and Morada Nova share a common ancestor, but the former showed introgressions from Brazilian Somali and Afrikaner breeds, explaining the fat-tail phenotype. The Santa Inês breed received a substantial contribution from Brazilian Bergamasca and showed an admixed origin with recent introgressions from other breeds, mainly from Suffolk. Furthermore, Brazilian Somali and Brazilian Fat-tail are the most endangered sheep genetic resources in Brazil and should be the focus for ex situ conservation programs. In conclusion, Brazilian hair sheep show an African origin and are characterized by diverse genetic composition, reinforcing the need for conservation of these genetic resources, and at the same time, this highly diverse group has variability that can be used in breeding programs.

Is any but a tiny fraction of handedness variance likely to be due to the external environment?

Non-shared environmental variance (NSEV) accounts for 76% of variance in genetic modelling of handedness. However, it is very misleading to suggest that NSEV, "highlights the importance of non-genetic factors for the ontogenesis of hemispheric asymmetries". NSEV is poorly named, is calculated only by subtraction, and provides no direct evidence for environmental effects in the sense of the external environment. Miller suggested that it would be better named as "residual effect". Mitchell has suggested that much or indeed most of NSEV is "developmental variance" and should be included under the heading of nature rather than nurture, and in handedness, "largely reflect[s] the outcome of randomness in brain development". Overall only a very small proportion of NSEV in handedness is likely to be related to external environmental factors in the usual sense of the term.

The attitudes, perceptions and experiences of medical school applicants following the closure of schools and cancellation of public examinations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional questionnaire study of UK medical applicants

OBJECTIVE

Describe the experiences and views of medical applicants from diverse social backgrounds following the closure of schools and universities and the cancellation of public examinations in the UK due to COVID-19.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional questionnaire study, part of the longitudinal UK Medical Applicant Cohort Study (UKMACS).

SETTING

UK medical school admissions in 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

2887 participants completed an online questionnaire from 8 April to 22 April 2020. Eligible participants had registered to take the University Clinical Admissions Test in 2019 and agreed to be invited to take part, or had completed a previous UKMACS questionnaire, had been seriously considering applying to medicine in the UK for entry in 2020, and were UK residents.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Views on calculated grades, views on medical school admissions and teaching in 2020 and 2021, reported experiences of education during the national lockdown.

RESULTS

Respondents were concerned about the calculated grades that replaced A-level examinations: female and Black Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants felt teachers would find it difficult to grade and rank students accurately, and applicants from non-selective state schools and living in deprived areas had concerns about the standardisation process. Calculated grades were generally not considered fair enough to use in selection, but were considered fair enough to use in combination with other measures including interview and aptitude test scores. Respondents from non-selective state (public) schools reported less access to educational resources compared with private/selective school pupils, less online teaching in real time and less time studying during lockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic has and will have significant and long-term impacts on the selection, education and performance of our medical workforce. It is important that the views and experiences of applicants from diverse backgrounds are considered in decisions affecting their future and the future of the profession.

Effect of housing system during pregnancy on reproductive parameters of sows

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of sows in individual stalls (Stall) or group-housed into groups on days 3 to 5 (Pen5) or 38 to 42 (Pen42) after breeding. The reproductive data was collected from the operating system of the farm establishing the average of the weekly performances of the sows that gave birth, for four years, except for the Pen5 system, which was evaluated for three years. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS®, using MIXED (for quantitative traits), NPAR1WAY (for categorical traits) and LOGISTIC (binomial traits) procedures, using sows as a repeated measure. Sows in Stall system had piglets with higher birth weight them sows in the group-housed system (P<0.05), however the piglets born alive, total piglets weaned, average litter weight, and duration of farrowing were lower in this system than in the group-housed (P<0.0001). There was no difference between Pen5 and Stall systems for gestation period and mummified piglets. The Pen42 system had a higher percentage of mummified piglets and a shorter gestation period, when compared Pen5 and Stall systems (P<0.0001), and similar results to the Pen5 system for duration of farrowing, piglets born alive, stillbirths, total piglets weaned, average litter weight and birth weight (P<0.0001).

Factors affecting recruitment into General Practice: a double binary choice approach

Recruitment to General Practice (GP) is currently low in many countries. Here we focus on two binary choices for junior doctors: first, whether to apply to GP; second, whether to accept a GP training place if offered. Previous attitudinal studies have indicated factors claimed to affect recruitment. The current study goes further by quantifying the relative impact of different factors on the propensity of candidates to apply to GP and accept a training place. An online questionnaire was sent to candidates applying to United Kingdom (UK) specialty training in 2015. Descriptive statistics and a path analysis evaluated the importance of various factors on GP applications. Our results were synthesised with an analysis of data from the online applications portal. With 3838 candidates responding to the survey, the path analysis showed that personality and previous GP experiences were strongly associated with the decision to apply. There was some evidence that it was easier to enter GP than other specialties; in terms of deciding whether to accept, the evidence suggests GP was a backup plan for around 9% of candidates who accepted a GP post. Our results indicate that recruitment initiatives should focus on candidates who apply to GP but not as first choice or consider GP but do not apply, particularly by providing substantial experience of GP and accentuating the positives of the specialty such as work-life balance and the intellectual challenge of working with patients in primary care. Acceptance of a GP place may also depend on competition for places in other specialties.

Productive characteristics in dairy buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in the Eastern Amazon

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine factors affecting phenotypic characteristics related to milk production and reproductive efficiency of dairy buffalo. Phenotypic records of 2,459 Murrah, Mediterranean and crossbred buffaloes from the Embrapa Eastern Amazônia herd, from 1969 to 2013 were used. Traits included: total milk production during lactation (TMP), milk production corrected for 305 days (P305); cow weight at calving (CW), fat milk percentage (F), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), calf birth weight (BW), as well as lactation (LP) and service periods (SP). Most traits were affected by genetic group as well as year and season or interaction between them. Genetic group affected F, CI, SP and CW. Very young and older cows showed poorer production traits. There was interaction between season and year for F, CI and CW. Correlations traits were generally medium to low. The principal component analysis showed that higher fat milk percentage was associated with higher percentage of Murrah breed, longer lactation period and older cows. Phenotypic characteristics in buffaloes reared in the Brazilian Amazon were significantly affected by genetic and management factors. This information can be used to help build sustainable production systems for the region and guide farmer decisions.

Dynamics of genomic architecture during composite breed development in cattle

Some livestock breeds face the challenge of reduced genetic variation, increased inbreeding depression owing to genetic drift and selection. Hybridization can reverse these processes and increase levels of productivity and adaptation to various environmental stressors. Samples from American Brangus were used to evaluate the indicine/taurine composition through nine generations (~45 years) after the hybridization process was completed. The purpose was to determine how hybridization alters allelic combinations of a breed over time when genetic factors such as selection and drift are operating. Furthermore, we explored genomic regions with deviations from the expected composition from the progenitor breeds and related these regions to traits under selection. The Brangus composition deviated from the theoretical expectation, defined by the breed association, of 62.5% taurine, showing taurine composition to be 70.4 ± 0.6%. Taurine and indicine proportion were not consistent across chromosomes. Furthermore, these non‐uniform areas were found to be associated with traits that were probably under selection such as intermuscular fat and average daily gain. Interestingly, the sex chromosomes were predominantly taurine, which could be due to the composite being formed particularly in the final cross that resulted in progeny designated as purebred Brangus. This work demonstrated the process of new breed formation on a genomic level. It suggests that factors like genetic drift, selection and complementarity shift the genetic architecture into a uniquely different population. These findings are important to better understand how hybridization and crossbreeding systems shape the genetic architecture of composite populations.

Genetic evaluation of milking buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis): bull ranking

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate genetic aspects related to production and reproductive efficiency of Murrah and Mediterranean buffaloes and their crosses. A ranking of bulls from Embrapa Eastern Amazonia was also composed to guide assisted mating. Birth records of 2,322 Murrah, Mediterranean, and crossbred buffaloes from the Embrapa Eastern Amazon herd, from 1953 to 2013, as well as information on production and reproductive traits were used. Genetic analyzes were performed in the WOMBAT software using the animal model with two-trait analysis. While heritability (h2) for total milk production (TMP) and fat milk percentage (F) were generally high, for reproductive traits h2 tended to be low. Genetic correlations for TMP with the other traits were low and negative, except for TMP with calving interval (CI) and service period (SP) in the Mediterranean breed and with age at first calving (AFC) and SP in crossbred, which were positive and high. Bull 1001 had high predicted transmitting ability (PTA) for TMP, so it should transmit a greater volume of milk to his offspring, although it had a lower PTA for F. There was sufficient variability within the herd to work with genetic management for both production and reproductive efficiency.

Using recruitment and selection to build a primary care workforce for the future

Recruitment and selection are critical components of human resource management. They influence both the quantity and quality of the healthcare workforce. In this article, we use two different examples of primary care workers, General Practitioners in the UK and Community Health Workers in low- and middle- income countries, to illustrate how recruitment and selection are, and could be, used to enhance the primary care workforce in each setting. Both recruitment and selection can be costly, so when funding is limited, decisions on how to spend the human resources budget must be made. It could be argued that human resource management should focus on recruitment in a seller's market (an insufficient supply of applicants) and on selection in a buyer's market (sufficient applicants but concerns about their quality). We use this article to examine recruitment and selection in each type of market and highlight the interactions between these two human resource management decisions. Recruitment and selection, we argue, must be considered in both types of market; particularly in sectors where workers' labour impacts upon population health. We note the paucity of high-quality research in recruitment and selection for primary care and the need for rigorous study designs such as randomised trials.

Desempenho de cruzamentos entre raças deslanadas localmente adaptadas e raças especializadas para produção de carne

Existem diversas opções de genética de ovinos para os sistemas de produção, desde recursos genéticos locais (geralmente adaptados as condições ambientais) até raças especializadas. O cruzamento é uma alternativa para explorar a heterose e complementariedade entre as raças. Este estudo avaliou oito grupos genéticos obtidos a partir do cruzamento entre Santa Inês (SI), Poll Dorset (PD), Dorper (DO), East Friesian (EF), Primera (PR), and White Dorper (WD). SI e PD foram usados com raças paternas e maternas, enquanto as demais foram usadas apenas como raças paternas. Quarenta e oito cordeiros foram avaliados para altura da cernelha, perímetro torácico, comprimento do corpo e da garupa e espessura da pele, bem como peso de carcaça fria e peso dos cortes comerciais como pescoço, fralda, paleta, pernil, costela e lombo. Os animais Santa Inês demoraram mais tempo para atingir o peso de abate (30 kg) que as cruzas com Dorper e Poll Dorset. Os animais 87PDSI, 75PDSI e DOPD apresentaram maior peso dos cortes comerciais e maior rendimento de carcaça. O uso da raça Santa Inês, uma raça localmente adaptada, como raça maternal em sistema de cruzamento apresentou resultados similares ao uso de Poll Dorset, uma raça especializada para produção de carne. Esses resultados destacam a utilidade dos recursos genéticos locais em sistema de produção intensivo. Poll Dorset é a raça paterna recomendada para o cruzamento com matrizes Santa Inês em sistema de produção intensivo.

Modelling non-additive genetic effects using ridge regression for an Angus–Nellore crossbred population

Data from 294045 records from a crossbred Angus × Nellore population were used to estimate fixed genetic effects (both additive and non-additive) and to test different non-additive models using ridge regression. The traits studied included weaning gain (WG), postweaning gain (PG), phenotypic scores for weaning (WC) and postweaning (PC) conformation, weaning (WP) and postweaning (PP) precocity, weaning (WM) and postweaning (PM) muscling and scrotal circumference (SC). All models were compared using the likelihood-ratio test. The model including all fixed genetic effects (breed additive and complementarity, heterosis and epistatic loss non-additive effects, both direct and maternal) was the best option to analyse this crossbred population. For the complete model, all effects were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.01) for weaning traits, except the direct breed additive effects for WP and WM; direct complementarity effect for WP, WM, PP and PM and maternal epistatic loss for PG. Direct breed additive effect was positive for weaning traits and negative for postweaning. Maternal breed additive effect was negative for SC and WP. Direct complementarity and heterosis were positive for all traits and maternal complementarity and heterosis were also positive for all traits, except for PG. Direct and maternal epistatic loss effects were negative for all traits. We conclude that the fixed genetic effects are mostly significant. Thus, it is important to include them in the model when evaluating crossbred animals, and the model that included breed additive effects, complementarity, heterosis and epistatic loss differed significantly from all reduced models, allowing to infer that it was the best model. The model with only breed additive and heterosis was parsimonious and could be used when the structure or amount of data does not allow the use of complete model.

Dehorning and welfare indicators in beef cattle: a meta-analysis

Dehorning is a common practice in cattle farming. Researchers suggest that pain during dehorning can be mitigated, although there is no conclusive evidence about the best technique and the best manner of pain relief. A systematic review-meta-analysis was performed to clarify the effect of dehorning on welfare indicators (cortisol concentration or average daily gain or vocalisation) in beef cattle up to 12 months of age. Five electronic databases were systematically searched, as well as conference proceedings and experts were contacted electronically. Pre-defined protocols were applied during all steps of the systematic review process. A random effect meta-analysis was conducted for each indicator separately with the mean of the control and treated groups. Four publications reporting seven studies and 69 trials were included in the MA involving 287 cattle. Heterogeneity between studies was observed for cortisol (I2 = 50.5%), average daily gain (I2 = 70.5%), and vocalisation (I2 = 91.9%). When comparing the non-dehorned group with amputation dehorning, the cortisol concentration was lower 30 min (P &lt; 0.0001) and 120 min (P = 0.023) after procedure (0.767 nmol/L and 0.680 nmol/L, respectively). Local anaesthesia did not show a reduction in cortisol concentration at 30 min after dehorning by amputation. Non-dehorned animals had a tendency to decrease the number of vocalisation (P = 0.081; MD = 0.929) compared with the group dehorned by amputation. These results suggest that dehorning is a painful experience and that local anaesthesia did not alleviate short-term pain following dehorning. Further investigation into pain relief is required to improve confident decision making under practical conditions.

Half a century of handedness research: Myths, truths; fictions, facts; backwards, but mostly forwards

Although most people are right-handed and have language in their left cerebral hemisphere, why that is so, and in particular why about ten per cent of people are left-handed, is far from clear. Multiple theories have been proposed, often with little in the way of empirical support, and sometimes indeed with strong evidence against them, and yet despite that have become modern urban myths, probably due to the symbolic power of right and left. One thinks in particular of ideas of being right-brained or left-brained, of suggestions that left-handedness is due to perinatal brain damage, of claims that left-handers die seven years earlier than right-handers, and of the unfalsifiable ramifications of the byzantine Geschwind-Behan-Galaburda theory. This article looks back over the past fifty years of research on brain asymmetries, exploring the different themes and approaches, sometimes in relation to the author's own work. Taking all of the work together it is probable that cerebral asymmetries are under genetic control, probably with multiple genetic loci, only a few of which are now beginning to be found thanks to very large databases that are becoming available. Other progress is also seen in proper meta-analyses, the use of fMRI for studying multiple functional lateralisations in large number of individuals, fetal ultra-sound for assessing handedness before birth, and fascinating studies of lateralisation in an ever widening range of animal species. With luck the next fifty years will make more progress and show fewer false directions than had much of the work in the previous fifty years.

Avaliação morfológica da raça bovina Crioula Lageana

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar medidas morfométricas de bovinos da raça Crioula Lageana em diferentes idades, para estabelecer padrões de variação dessas medidas, contribuindo para a caracterização fenotípica da raça. Foram coletadas medidas corporais (comprimento corporal, altura da cernelha, perímetro torácico, altura da garupa, largura da garupa e comprimento de garupa) de 346 animais oriundos de três regiões do Planalto Catarinense (Campos de Curitibanos, Coxilha Rica e Campos de Caçador). As medidas morfométricas foram avaliadas em relação à idade, sexo e região de origem. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando SAS versão 9.3. Os procedimentos utilizados incluíram análise de variância, correlações, cluster, discriminante e análise canônica. Foi observada diferença estatística entre machos e fêmeas para todas as medições, exceto altura da garupa, demonstrando o dimorfismo sexual. A altura da garupa variou até 3 e 5 anos de idade e comprimento do corpo variou em animais com mais de 11 anos de idade; enquanto a largura da garupa e perímetro torácico variaram até 7 e 9 anos de idade. Em média, 50% dos animais foram classificados correctamente, o que indica pouca diferença entre as regiões para as características morfométricas. Além disso, animais de Campos de Curitibanos foram os que apresentaram maior distância dos animais das outras regiões do planalto de Santa Catarina. As correlações entre altura da cernelha, largura e comprimento da garupa foram acima de 0,80. Assim, o comprimento da garupa pode ser considerado a medida mais adequada para avaliação do tamanho corporal desta raça, devido à alta correlação com as outras medidas e a facilidade de medição deste parâmetro.

The UK medical education database (UKMED) what is it? Why and how might you use it?

BACKGROUND

Educating doctors is expensive and poor performance by future graduates can literally cost lives. Whilst the practice of medicine is highly evidence based, medical education is much less so. Research on medical school selection, undergraduate progression, Fitness to Practise (FtP) and postgraduate careers has been hampered across the globe by the challenges of uniting the data required. This paper describes the creation, structure and access arrangements for the first UK-wide attempt to do so.

OVERVIEW

A collaborative approach has created a research database commencing with all entrants to UK medical schools in 2007 and 2008 (UKMED Phase 1). Here the content is outlined, governance arrangements considered, system access explained, and the potential implications of this new resource discussed. The data currently include achievements prior to medical school entry, admissions tests, graduation point information and also all subsequent data collected by the General Medical Council, including FtP, career progression, annual National Training Survey (NTS) responses, career choice and postgraduate exam performance data. UKMED has grown since the pilot phase with additional datasets; all subsequent years of students/trainees and stronger governance processes. The inclusion of future cohorts and additional information such as admissions scores or bespoke surveys or assessments is now being piloted. Thus, for instance, new scrutiny can be applied to selection techniques and the effectiveness of educational interventions. Data are available free of charge for approved studies from suitable research groups worldwide.

CONCLUSION

It is anticipated that UKMED will continue on a rolling basis. This has the potential to radically change the volume and types of research that can be envisaged and, therefore, to improve standards, facilitate workforce planning and support the regulation of medical education and training. This paper aspires to encourage proposals to utilise this exciting resource.

Análise da viabilidade populacional da raça Crioula Lageana

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar uma análise de viabilidade populacional da raça bovina Crioula Lageana, para estudar seus parâmetros demográficos e genéticos, bem como verificar a interferência de fatores que podem afetar a sobrevivência eo desenvolvimento dessa população. A viabilidade da população foi estimada utilizando 128 cenários hipotéticos para avaliar o risco de extinção deste recurso genético, simulada por um período de 500 anos. Os resultados mostraram que a possibilidade de extinção desta raça durante os próximos 500 anos foi remota, mesmo em cenários menos favoráveis. A taxa de crescimento determinística (det.r) foi sempre positiva durante o período avaliado, sendo a mortalidade dos animais de até um ano de idade o fator mais importante que afetou este parâmetro. O tamanho da população aumentou rapidamente até atingir a capacidade de suporte da área (k), sendo este o principal fator limitante para o crescimento da população. O nível de heterozigose esperada (He) da população no pior cenário foi superior a 80% e o coeficiente de endogamia (F) foi inferior a 0,20 no final dos 500 anos de simulação. A análise da viabilidade populacional mostrou que a população de Crioula Lageana não apresentou risco aparente de extinção a longo prazo e que a capacidade de suporte da área é o principal fator limitante para o crescimento da população.

Is Beauty in the Hand of the Writer? Influences of Aesthetic Preferences through Script Directions, Cultural, and Neurological Factors: A Literature Review

Human experience surrounding the appreciation of beauty is not static. Many factors such as script direction and cultural differences directly impact whether, how and why we consider images beautiful. In an earlier study, Pérez González showed that 19th-century Iranian and Spanish professional photographers manifest lateral biases linked to reading writing direction in their compositions. The present paper aims to provide a general review on this topic and intends to highlight the most relevant studies reporting preferences in the appreciation of beauty in individuals with different reading and writing directions and belonging to different cultural backgrounds.

Valores econômicos para as características de produção, funcionais e de fertilidade em sistemas de produção de leite no Sul do Brasil

O objetivo deste estudo foi prever os valores econômicos para características de produção, funcionais e de fertilidade, bem como para classificá-las em ordem de importância econômica para os sistemas de produção de leite no sul do Brasil. Para isso, dois grupos foram formados, de acordo com a sua produção, e as características consideradas foram: a produção de leite (L), a persistência da lactação (PL), a gordura do leite (GOR), a proteína do leite (PROT), a contagem de células somáticas (CCS), a idade de primeiro parto (IPP), o intervalo entre partos (IP), o consumo de ração (Consumo), a mortalidade (MORT) e o peso da vaca (PV). A receita baseou-se na venda de leite, de novilhas excedentes e de vacas de descarte, e os custos reais de operação foram utilizados para calcular o lucro e a margem bruta. A função de lucro utilizada para calcular os valores econômicos foi baseada em uma fazenda de 100 vacas. Os valores econômicos médios das características que afetam o lucro do produtor foram em ordem: GOR: US $ 3.776,07; PROT: US $ 1.888,03; L US $ 1.258,69, PL: US $ 1.258,69; PV: US $ 124,03; MORT: US $ -14,30; Consumo: US $ -614,01; IP: US $ -1.023,62; IPP: US $ -2.724,29; CSS: US $ -3.146,87. Os valores econômicos calculados para o volume de leite, fertilidade, qualidade do leite, resistência a doenças e consumo de ração, indicou que o uso dessas características como objetivos de seleção em programas de melhoramento deve resultar em aumento da rentabilidade para o produtor.

Study on environmental indices and heat tolerance tests in hair sheep

The ability to predict the effects of climatic factors on animals and their adaptability is important for livestock production. The aim of the present study was to analyze whether existing indices are suitable for evaluating heat stress in Santa Ines and Morada Nova sheep, which are locally adapted hair sheep breeds from northeastern Brazil, and if the limits used to classify thermal stress are suitable for these breeds. Therefore, climatic, physiological, and physical parameters, as well as thermographic images, were collected in 26 sheep, 1 1/2 years old, from two genetic groups (Santa Ines 12 males and 4 females; Morada Nov. 7 males and 3 females) for 3 days in both morning (4:00 a.m.) and afternoon (2:00 p.m.) with six repetitions, totalizing 156 repetitions. Statistical analysis included correlations and broken-line regressions. Iberia and Benezra indices were the tolerance tests that best correlated with the assessed parameters. High correlations between environmental indices and rectal or skin surface temperatures was observed, which indicates that these indices can be used for Santa Ines and Morada Nova sheep raised in central Brazil. However, some indicative values of thermal discomfort are different from the existing classification. Therefore, in order to classify appropriately, the model used needs to be carefully studied, because these classifying values can vary according to the species and model. Further research is necessary to establish indicators of thermal stress for sheep breeds raised in the region.

Evaluation of carcass and muscle traits in Santa Ines female lambs finished with different agricultural products

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different agricultural products on quantitative aspects of carcass, body constituents, cooking loss, shear force and colorimetry of the Longissimus lumborum and Triceps brachii muscles in Santa Ines lambs. 24 Santa Ines female lambs received one of four diets which were isoproteic and isoenergetic with fixed levels of forage (60%) and concentrate (40%) of corn and soybean meal during 45 days. The forages per diet differed: coast-cross hay (HAY), cassava hay (CASS), dehydrated by-product of pea crop (PEA) and sugarcane (SC). The average weight of the lambs at the beginning of the experiment was 26.35kg. Animals were slaughtered in a federally certified abattoir. Initial and final pH, cooking losses, color using the CIELAB system, shear force and the quantity of sarcomeres per 100μm were measured. Hot carcass, cold and half carcass weights were affected by treatments (P<0.05). The sarcomere length of Triceps brachii muscle 24 hours after slaughter differed between diets and coast-cross hay had the lowest value. The sarcomere length differed significantly between diets and the dehydrated by-product of pea crop had the lowest number of sarcomeres immediately after slaughter compared to other diets. There was no influence of diet on colorimetry, cooking loss and shear force. The decrease in pH followed the development of the process of rigor mortis in the Longissimus lumborum and Triceps brachii muscles in the first hour and up to 24 hours after slaughter. Diets did not alter the pH, water holding capacity, colorimetry or shear force. The pea by-product and sugarcane can replace traditional sources of fodder without depreciation of meat characteristics.

Reflections on the process of using systematic review techniques to evaluate the literature regarding the neurotoxicity of low level exposure to organophosphate pesticides

We undertook a systematic review (incorporating meta-analysis) of the literature concerning the neurotoxicity of cumulative low level occupational exposure to organophosphate pesticides, which was published online by the journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology in 2012. As far as we are aware, we were the first research team to attempt quantitative evaluation of study findings on this topic, using meta-analysis. We wish to encourage others to apply systematic review techniques in chemical risk assessment to reduce bias, increase transparency and better inform public policy. We thought it would be useful to share our experience of undertaking a systematic review in the hope of dispelling misconceptions about the complexity, time and resource issues involved along with the view that meta-analysis is meaningless when studies are not homogeneous. In this commentary paper we reflect on aspects of the process which were relatively straightforward; aspects which were more challenging; the advantages of using systematic review techniques; and the advantages and limitations of using statistical techniques such as meta-analysis in this context.

On the Ability to Discriminate Original from Mirror-Image Reproductions of Works of Art

Subjects were shown pairs of slides; one member of each pair represented a painting in its correct left-right orientation and the other a mirror image of the same painting. For each pair, subjects were asked (a) to choose which they preferred, (b) to choose which they thought was the original, and (c) to rate their confidence that they had seen the picture before. Subjects were only able to discriminate between originals and mirror images for those paintings they were highly confident of having seen before.

Curvas de crescimento morfológico para suínos localmente adaptados no Brasil

No presente estudo objetivou-se determinar curvas de crescimento para quatro raças de suínos naturalizados do Brasil (Moura, Piau, Nilo e Monteiro) através de ajustes não lineares. Foram coletados dados de 13 medidas morfológicas de 220 exemplares de ambos os sexos entre os 30 dias de vida até a idade adulta. As curvas foram ajustadas usando regressão não linear, pelas equações de Gompertz, Weibull, Logística, Brody e Richards. A melhor função foi selecionada pelo maior R² e menor erro quadrático médio, sendo a função de Weibull a mais apropriada para todas as raças e sexos. No geral, as fêmeas de todas as raças atingiram as medidas adultas com mais precocidade, porém os machos cresceram mais do que as fêmeas. O crescimento da raça Moura é o que mais se assemelha ao crescimento das raças industriais, isso pode estar relacionado ao fato de grande parte dos exemplares serem criados em sistemas de engorda. Por outro lado, a raça Monteiro foi a que apresentou um crescimento mais tardio. Conclui-se que as raças de suínos naturalizados brasileiros possuem crescimento diferenciado, que está relacionado com a origem genética da raça e adaptação ao ambiente.