Factors influencing Scottish dairy farmers' antimicrobial usage, knowledge and attitude towards antimicrobial resistance

Understanding how farmers use antimicrobials and their awareness and beliefs about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is essential to improve antimicrobial usage (AMU) practices and combat AMR on dairy farms. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out to identify the factors affecting attitudes, knowledge and behaviour of Scottish dairy producers regarding prudent AMU and the emergence of AMR in livestock. The survey was designed based on the earlier findings of two focus groups and was disseminated online via multiple methods (e.g., social media; farming press). Participation was voluntary and answers were obtained from 61 respondents (7.3% of the total population of Scottish dairy farmers). Logistic and ordinal regression analyses were performed to identify predictors for farmers' level of knowledge about antimicrobials and AMR, AMU behaviour and attitudes towards AMR mitigation. Associations were described with odds ratios (OR) and the associated 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Farmers were more likely to have better knowledge of antimicrobials and AMR if they had undertaken a university degree (OR = 28.28, P < 0.001), worked with mixed livestock (dairy plus sheep/beef) (OR = 4.82, P < 0.05), and trusted only veterinarians' information about responsible AMU (OR = 4.42, P < 0.05). In the survey disease scenarios, younger farmers were less likely to be classed as low antimicrobial users (OR = 0.18, P < 0.05) compared to older farmers. Respondents working on larger herds were also less likely to be low antimicrobial users compared to those working on smaller herds (OR = 0.12, P < 0.01). Conversely, farmers who did not consider economic factors (e.g., cost and withdrawal period) in antimicrobial choice were more likely to be classed as low antimicrobial users (OR = 6.17, P < 0.01). Respondents were more likely to show positive attitudes towards AMR mitigation if they worked in larger (OR = 4.67, P < 0.05) or organic dairy farms (OR = 18.35, P < 0.05). These results suggest that several practices, social, demographic, and economic factors influence dairy farmers' perception and awareness of AMR and AMU. Efforts should be made to consider these variables when developing strategies to improve AMU in dairy farming. Veterinarians and advisors should focus AMU training and AMR awareness-raising activities towards younger, less experienced farmers as well as those with a lower educational qualification (high school vs. university degree). This study can inform the development of targeted educational initiatives to encourage responsible AMU on dairy farms.

Lrrn1 Regulates Medial Boundary Formation in the Developing Mouse Organ of Corti

One of the most striking aspects of the sensory epithelium of the mammalian cochlea, the organ of Corti (OC), is the presence of precise boundaries between sensory and nonsensory cells at its medial and lateral edges. A particular example of this precision is the single row of inner hair cells (IHCs) and associated supporting cells along the medial (neural) boundary. Despite the regularity of this boundary, the developmental processes and genetic factors that contribute to its specification are poorly understood. In this study we demonstrate that Leucine Rich Repeat Neuronal 1 (Lrrn1), which codes for a single-pass, transmembrane protein, is expressed before the development of the mouse organ of Corti in the row of cells that will form its medial border. Deletion of Lrrn1 in mice of mixed sex leads to disruptions in boundary formation that manifest as ectopic inner hair cells and supporting cells. Genetic and pharmacological manipulations demonstrate that Lrrn1 interacts with the Notch signaling pathway and strongly suggest that Lrrn1 normally acts to enhance Notch signaling across the medial boundary. This interaction is required to promote formation of the row of inner hair cells and suppress the conversion of adjacent nonsensory cells into hair cells and supporting cells. These results identify Lrrn1 as an important regulator of boundary formation and cellular patterning during development of the organ of Corti.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Patterning of the developing mammalian cochlea into distinct sensory and nonsensory regions and the specification of multiple different cell fates within those regions are critical for proper auditory function. Here, we report that the transmembrane protein Leucine Rich Repeat Neuronal 1 (LRRN1) is expressed along the sharp medial boundary between the single row of mechanosensory inner hair cells (IHCs) and adjacent nonsensory cells. Formation of this boundary is mediated in part by Notch signaling, and loss of Lrrn1 leads to disruptions in boundary formation similar to those caused by a reduction in Notch activity, suggesting that LRRN1 likely acts to enhance Notch signaling. Greater understanding of sensory/nonsensory cell fate decisions in the cochlea will help inform the development of regenerative strategies aimed at restoring auditory function.

Antimicrobial usage and resistance in scottish dairy herds: a survey of farmers' knowledge, behaviours and attitudes

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major threat to global health. Understanding how antimicrobials are used on dairy farms and stakeholder beliefs relating to their use is essential to ensure responsible antimicrobial usage (AMU) to tackle the emergence of AMR. This study explored Scottish dairy farmers' knowledge about the meaning of AMR and antimicrobial activity, behaviour and practices related to farm AMU and attitudes towards AMR mitigation. An online survey was designed based on the findings of two focus groups and was completed by 61 respondents (7.3% of the total population of Scottish dairy farmers). Knowledge of antimicrobials and AMR was variable, and almost half of the participants believed that antimicrobials could have anti-inflammatory or analgesic activity. Veterinarians' opinions and advice about AMU were ranked significantly more important than other social referents or advisors. The majority of farmers (90%) reported having implemented practices to reduce reliance on antimicrobials (e.g., selective dry cow therapy, AMU treatment protocols) and having reduced farm AMU over recent years. Feeding waste milk to calves is still widespread, being reported by up to 30% of respondents. The main factors described to hinder responsible farm AMU were limited facilities (e.g., lack of isolation pens for sick animals) and knowledge of appropriate AMU recommendations, followed by time and financial constraints. Most farmers (89%) agreed that it is important to reduce AMU on dairy farms, but fewer (52%) acknowledged that AMU on UK dairy farms is currently too high, suggesting a mismatch between their intention to reduce antimicrobials and AMU behaviour. These results indicate that dairy farmers are aware of AMR, and their self-reported farm AMU has been reduced. However, some do not clearly comprehend the activity of antimicrobials and their correct usage. More work is needed to improve dairy farmers' knowledge of appropriate AMU and intentions to combat AMR. Farmers would benefit from more regular AMU discussions and advice from herd veterinarians, as they were described as highly trusted information resources. Training on how to reduce AMU should involve all farm staff administering antimicrobials and should be tailored to farm-specific barriers, such as limited facilities and workforce shortages.

972 EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF FRAILTY FOLLOWING TRAUMA: AN ANALYSIS OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (ED) MANAGEMENT AND LONG TERM OUTCOMES

Introduction

Major trauma represents a large number of hospital presentations in Scotland. 1 We aimed to: -Describe the population of ‘major trauma’ patients presenting to the Emergency Department of QEUH, Glasgow -Compare assessment, management and clinical outcomes in frail versus non-frail patients with trauma.

Method

This was a retrospective, cohort study. Patients were identified using the Scottish Trauma Audit Group (STAG) database. 2 Patients aged over 18, admitted between 01/11/18 and 31/01/19 were included. STAG data was supplemented by individual case note review. Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) were calculated.

Results

203 patients (173 non-frail, 30 frail) were included. Median age was 58 years (range 19–98). Isolated head injuries were the predominant injury type in frail patients (36.7%) versus polytrauma in non-frail cohort (44.5%). Injury Severity Score (ISS) was similar across both groups (median score: 10v9.5). CCI score correlated well with frailty. Frail patients were less likely to:

-Have ambulance pre-alert call (10% v 28%, p = 0.041).

-Be managed in ‘Resus’ (17% v 54%, p &lt; 0.05).

-Have consultant-led care in ED (6.6% v 36.4%, p = 0.001).

-Undergo CT within 60 minutes (10% v 34.7%, p = 0.0095).

They were more likely to be admitted under a Medical Team (20% v 2.9%, p &lt; 0.05). Frailty was associated with poorer outcomes:

-Mortality 30% v 9.8%: significant difference in unadjusted, 1-year survival curves (Log-rank test p = 0.0026). Frailty carried a hazard-ratio of death of 5.02 (CI:2.13–11.79, p = 0.0002) compared to non-frailty through the first year after trauma.

-Longer median Length of Stay: 22 v 8 days.

Conclusion

We identified poorer clinical outcomes in our frail patient cohort. Despite this, and with similar ISS scores across both groups, our data would suggest a tendency to under-recognise significant trauma in Frail patients. References [1] Audit of Trauma Management in Scotland. Public Health Scotland, 2021 [2] Scottish Trauma Audit Group https://www.stag.scot.nhs.uk/

Comparison of testing for failure of passive transfer in calf serum using four different testing methods

Failure of passive transfer (FPT) in calves is defined as failure to absorb colostral antibodies sufficient to achieve a serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration of >10g/L within the first week of life. The aim of this study was to compare four different tests to diagnose FPT in a convenience sample of 1-7 day old dairy calves in Scotland. Published cutpoints for Brix and total protein (TP) refractometry and zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST) were compared with the reference test radial immunodiffusion (RID) for suitability to detect FPT. In addition, the current commercial RID reference test offered in Scotland was validated. FPT prevalence was estimated to be 14.17% (95% confidence intervals, 10.58 - 17.75) based on RID test results. There was moderate agreement between the reference (RID) and indirect tests (kappa=0.28 for Brix; 0.34 for TP; 0.24 for ZST). Brix and TP refractometry underestimated IgG concentration, resulting in an overestimation of FPT prevalence (40.54% and 29.46%, respectively). Similarly, ZST overestimated the prevalence of FPT (46.29%), but the variability was more consistent across all IgG concentrations. The performance of all three indirect methods was improved by lowering test cutpoints (to 5g/dL for TP; 8.2% for Brix; 15 units for ZST) which improved test specificity and accuracy of these screening tests.

Administration of ketoprofen affects post-partum lying behaviours of Holstein dairy cows regardless of whether parturition is assisted

BACKGROUND

Assistance at parturition in cattle is common. Although analgesia is commonly provided, its value in terms of welfare improvement is not known. Few previous studies include both parturition assistance and analgesic treatment status as well as appropriate control groups in a factorial design.

METHODS

Seventy-two Holstein cattle (37 assisted and 35 unassisted) were randomly allocated to receive a single dose of the NSAID ketoprofen or a saline placebo within 3 h of parturition. Detailed behavioural observations allowed a time budget to be constructed for each cow for 48 h post-partum.

RESULTS

Cows experiencing assisted parturition spent more time in lateral recumbency (overall and with the head rested) (p < 0.05) - an infrequently adopted posture suggestive of illness or pain. Cows treated with ketoprofen spent less time in lateral recumbency (p < 0.05) (overall and with the head rested); this was independent of assistance status, and lateral recumbency was not affected by the interaction between assistance and treatment status. Additionally, cows treated with ketoprofen spent more time with the head rested when in sternal recumbency (p = 0.009) - a behaviour associated with comfortable resting.

CONCLUSION

These differences in lying postures exhibited by cows receiving ketoprofen analgesia suggest that, regardless of whether parturition is assisted, a single dose of ketoprofen in the immediate post-partum period has the potential to improve cow comfort in the first 48 h post-partum.

Comparison of tests for failure of passive transfer in neonatal calf serum using total protein refractometry and the biuret method

Failure of passive transfer (FPT) is defined as failure to absorb colostral antibodies sufficient to achieve a serum Immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration >10 g/L. Immunoglobulin G can be measured directly in calf serum using radial immunodiffusion (RID), or indirectly estimated by measuring total protein (TP). Indirect TP measures are usually favoured because of their relatively lower costs. The aim of this work was to compare TP measurements using refractometry and biuret methods against the reference RID test in neonatal dairy calves, and to assess agreement between these indirect measures. Neither the biuret nor the refractometer method provided a high sensitivity for detection of FPT, as defined by RID. There was no systematic difference between the methods in their estimation of TP, although the biuret method was more accurate than the refractometer method when tested against the reference RID test (accuracy = 83.1 % v 69.3 %) and the refractometer was more likely to overestimate the number of calves with FPT. Specificity for the biuret test was 93.9 % compared with the refractometer specificity of 74.4 %. Mean TP as estimated by the biuret method was higher than the mean TP estimated by the refractometer (6.25 g/dL versus 5.52 g/dL), and the Pearson correlation coefficient for the two assays was only moderate, at 0.58. This suggests that the biuret method is preferable to the refractometer for detecting FPT in calves, despite the superior convenience of the refractometer.

Use of a Tri-Axial Accelerometer Can Reliably Detect Play Behaviour in Newborn Calves

Traditionally, the welfare assessment of farm animals has focused on health and production outcomes. Positive welfare is, however, not merely the absence of negative welfare and is an important part of a life worth living. Play behaviour is widely considered to be an indicator of positive emotions because it is a "luxury" behaviour. Direct visual observation is considered the most accurate method of behavioural analysis, but it is time consuming and laborious. There is increasing interest in the use of remote monitoring technology to quantify behaviour. We compared the data output ("motion index" (MI)) from a commercially available tri-axial accelerometer fitted to newborn dairy calves to video footage of the same calves, with a focus on play behaviour. The motion index values over 48 h were positively correlated with both the duration of play behaviour and the number of play bouts. The motion index threshold in each sample interval with the optimal sensitivity and specificity for the identification of play behaviour was MI ≥ 2.5 at a 1 min resolution (sensitivity (Se) = 98.0%; specificity (Sp) = 92.9%) and MI ≥ 24.5 at a 15 min resolution (Se = 98.0%; Sp = 89.9%), but these values consistently overestimated the overall proportion of sample intervals in which play was observed. The MI that best reflected the results obtained from visual one-zero sampling was MI ≥ 23 for 1 min intervals and MI ≥ 62 for 15 min intervals-this may therefore be the basis of a more conservative approach to the identification of play behaviour from accelerometer-generated data. Our results indicate that accelerometer-generated data can usefully indicate the amount of play behaviour shown by newborn calves for up to 48 h, providing an efficient method for identifying this important parameter in future work.

Characterization of the development of the mouse cochlear epithelium at the single cell level

Mammalian hearing requires the development of the organ of Corti, a sensory epithelium comprising unique cell types. The limited number of each of these cell types, combined with their close proximity, has prevented characterization of individual cell types and/or their developmental progression. To examine cochlear development more closely, we transcriptionally profile approximately 30,000 isolated mouse cochlear cells collected at four developmental time points. Here we report on the analysis of those cells including the identification of both known and unknown cell types. Trajectory analysis for OHCs indicates four phases of gene expression while fate mapping of progenitor cells suggests that OHCs and their surrounding supporting cells arise from a distinct (lateral) progenitor pool. Tgfβr1 is identified as being expressed in lateral progenitor cells and a Tgfβr1 antagonist inhibits OHC development. These results provide insights regarding cochlear development and demonstrate the potential value and application of this data set.

How the development of the cochlear epithelium is regulated is unclear. Here, the authors use single cell RNAseq analysis to provide insight into the transcriptional changes arising during development of the murine cochlear inner and outer hair cells.

The impact of age and high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) status on the prevalence of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) in women with persistent hrHPV-positive, cytology-negative screening samples: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To establish the prevalence of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) in women referred to colposcopy with persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) cytology-negative screening sample according to hrHPV genotype, age at referral and colposcopic performance.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Single colposcopy clinic linked to a population-based screening programme.

POPULATION

Women referred with persistent hrHPV cytology-negative routine screening samples.

METHODS

Prospective study with descriptive statistics from a single colposcopy unit between June 2014 and July 2019.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of hrHPV genotypes and CIN2+, positive predictive value for colposcopic impression, and inadequate colposcopic examinations.

RESULTS

A total of 3107 women were referred. Prevalence of CIN2+ was highest for persistent HPV16 infections (10.7%) compared with HPV18 (3.6%) or HPVO (4.7%). Prevalence of CIN2+ declined with age (25-34 years 14.2% to 55-64 years 1.1%) whereas the percentage of women with an inadequate colposcopic examination increased (25-34 years 0.9% to 55-64 years 29.5%). High-grade colposcopic impression fell over time during the study from 16.1 to 5.1%. The positive predictive value for colposcopic impression of CIN2+ was affected by hrHPV genotype (57.3% for HPV16 versus 32.1% for nonHPV16). The adjunctive use of electrical impedance spectroscopy detected an extra 42 cases of CIN2+, which was irrespective of hrHPV genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary hrHPV cervical screening increases detection of CIN2+; however, low specificity results in more women being referred to colposcopy with a low prevalence of CIN2+. Colposcopy performs poorly in some groups, particularly with HPVO infections and women over 50 years of age. An appropriate threshold for referral to colposcopy in primary hrHPV screening has not been established.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Low prevalence of CIN2+ in HPV-positive negative cytology samples. HPV genotype, age and prevalence of CIN2+ affect colposcopic performance.

Notochord vacuoles absorb compressive bone growth during zebrafish spine formation

The vertebral column or spine assembles around the notochord rod which contains a core made of large vacuolated cells. Each vacuolated cell possesses a single fluid-filled vacuole, and loss or fragmentation of these vacuoles in zebrafish leads to spine kinking. Here, we identified a mutation in the kinase gene dstyk that causes fragmentation of notochord vacuoles and a severe congenital scoliosis-like phenotype in zebrafish. Live imaging revealed that Dstyk regulates fusion of membranes with the vacuole. We find that localized disruption of notochord vacuoles causes vertebral malformation and curving of the spine axis at those sites. Accordingly, in dstyk mutants the spine curves increasingly over time as vertebral bone formation compresses the notochord asymmetrically, causing vertebral malformations and kinking of the axis. Together, our data show that notochord vacuoles function as a hydrostatic scaffold that guides symmetrical growth of vertebrae and spine formation.

XRootD Third Party Copy for the WLCG and HLLHC

A Third Party Copy (TPC) mechanism has existed in the pure XRootD storage environment for many years. However, using the XRootD TPC in the WLCG environment presents additional challenges due to the diversity of the storage systems involved such as EOS, dCache, DPM and ECHO, requiring that we carefully navigate the unique constraints imposed by these storage systems and their site-specific environments through customized configuration and software development. To support multitenant setups seen at many WLCG sites, X509 based authentication and authorization in XRootD was significantly improved to meet both security and functionality requirements. This paper presents architecture of the pull based TPC with optional X509 credential delegation, and how it is implemented in native XRootD and dCache. The paper discusses technical requirements, challenges, design choices and implementation details in the WLCG storage systems, as well as in FTS/gfal2. It also outlines XRootD’s plan to support newer TPC and security models such as token based authorization.

Dry Rehydratable Film Method for Rapid Enumeration of Coliforms in Foods (3M™ Petrifilm™ Rapid Coliform Count Plate): Collaborative Study

A rehydratable dry-film plating method for coliforms in foods, the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Rapid Coliform Count plate method, was compared with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Bacteriological Analytical Manual method for nondairy foods and the American Public Health Association's Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products (SMEDP) method for dairy foods. Six food types, vanilla ice cream, cheddar cheese, fresh refrigerated uncooked pasta, wheat flour, prepared frozen macaroni and cheese, and frozen hash browns, were analyzed for coliforms by 11 collaborating laboratories. For each food product tested, the collaborators received 8 blind samples consisting of a control sample and 3 levels of inoculated sample, each in duplicate. The mean log counts for the methods were comparable. The repeatability and reproducibility variances of the Petrifilm Rapid Coliform Count method at 14 and 24 h were not significantly different from those of the standard methods.

OT Sexuality and Intimacy Intervention for the Military Population: A Case Series

Date Presented 04/05/19

Sexuality and intimacy are often meaningful activities for humans, yet OTs are hesitant to address these topics with their clients. Limited research is available that could inform and guide the profession in establishing curriculum and best practice. This case series is the first study to explore key factors of OT sex and intimacy intervention in enhancing performance in sexual activity and intimacy social participation.

Primary Author and Speaker: Kathryn Ellis

Contributing Authors: Michelle Nordstrom

Predictors of Workplace Disability in a Premanifest Huntington's Disease Cohort

Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease involving motor, cognitive, and psychiatric/behavioral impairments that will eventually affect work role functioning. Few objective data exist regarding predictors of workplace disability in HD. The authors explored the predictors of work impairment and disability in a cross-sectional cohort of 656 employed, premanifest HD (preHD) individuals. In this cohort-the majority of whom were female, urban-dwelling, married/partnered, and working full-time, with minimal cognitive impairment, good function, minimal motor abnormality, and no indication of significant mental health issues-the number of participants who reported that they had missed work due to HD was low (2.4%). However, 12% of the study sample reported experiencing impairment while working due to preHD, 12.2% reported work-related activity impairment due to preHD, and 12.7% reported impairment in their overall work ability. Higher numbers of CAG repeats on the mutant allele and having more motor symptoms were associated with significantly higher odds of experiencing workplace impairment. Importantly, several modifiable factors were also found to predict workplace disability. Specifically, higher levels of anxiety symptoms were associated with significantly higher odds of experiencing workplace impairment. Good mental and physical health served as protective factors, where good physical health was associated with 6% lower odds of experiencing impairment or missing work time and good mental health was associated with of 10%-12% lower. The results provide important new knowledge for the development of future targeted intervention trials to support preHD individuals in maintaining their work roles as long as possible.

Trajectories of depressive and anxiety symptoms in older adults: a 6-year prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Depressive and anxiety symptoms are common in older adults, significantly affect quality of life, and are risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. We sought to identify the determinants of predominant trajectories of depressive and anxiety symptoms in cognitively normal older adults.

METHOD

Four hundred twenty-three older adults recruited from the general community underwent Aβ positron emission tomography imaging, apolipoprotein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor genotyping, and cognitive testing at baseline and had follow-up assessments. All participants were cognitively normal and free of clinical depression at baseline. Latent growth mixture modeling was used to identify predominant trajectories of subthreshold depressive and anxiety symptoms over 6 years. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify baseline predictors of symptomatic depressive and anxiety trajectories.

RESULTS

Latent growth mixture modeling revealed two predominant trajectories of depressive and anxiety symptoms: a chronically elevated trajectory and a low, stable symptom trajectory, with almost one in five participants falling into the elevated trajectory groups. Male sex (relative risk ratio (RRR) = 3.23), lower attentional function (RRR = 1.90), and carriage of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met allele in women (RRR = 2.70) were associated with increased risk for chronically elevated depressive symptom trajectory. Carriage of the apolipoprotein epsilon 4 allele (RRR = 1.92) and lower executive function in women (RRR = 1.74) were associated with chronically elevated anxiety symptom trajectory.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate distinct and sex-specific risk factors linked to depressive and anxiety trajectories, which may help inform risk stratification and management of these symptoms in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Relative Intelligibility Threshold for One's Own Name Compared with other Names

Two recent experiments (Moray, 1959; Oswald, Taylor and Treisman, 1960) have shown that in dichotic listening, and in sleep one's own name seems to be responded to selectively. We have shown for 10 subjects, each listening binaurally to the same recording of a list of their names repeated at random 10 times, and masked by noise, that the subject's own name had a significantly lower threshold than other names. The effect we found was not significantly different from the one found by Oswald et al. during sleep and by Moray for the dichotic situation.

These three experiments taken together suggest that the same pattern-analysing mechanism is involved in normal listening, dichotic listening to the rejected message, and in discrimination during sleep.

Alzheimer's Disease: A Journey from Amyloid Peptides and Oxidative Stress, to Biomarker Technologies and Disease Prevention Strategies-Gains from AIBL and DIAN Cohort Studies

Worldwide there are over 46 million people living with dementia, and this number is expected to double every 20 years reaching about 131 million by 2050. The cost to the community and government health systems, as well as the stress on families and carers is incalculable. Over three decades of research into this disease have been undertaken by several research groups in Australia, including work by our original research group in Western Australia which was involved in the discovery and sequencing of the amyloid-β peptide (also known as Aβ or A4 peptide) extracted from cerebral amyloid plaques. This review discusses the journey from the discovery of the Aβ peptide in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain to the establishment of pre-clinical AD using PET amyloid tracers, a method now serving as the gold standard for developing peripheral diagnostic approaches in the blood and the eye. The latter developments for early diagnosis have been largely achieved through the establishment of the Australian Imaging Biomarker and Lifestyle research group that has followed 1,100 Australians for 11 years. AIBL has also been instrumental in providing insight into the role of the major genetic risk factor apolipoprotein E ɛ4, as well as better understanding the role of lifestyle factors particularly diet, physical activity and sleep to cognitive decline and the accumulation of cerebral Aβ.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Suspended Materials in a Semi-urbanized Tidal Creek after an Historic Flood Event and Implications for Water Quality Monitoring

Tidal creeks transport both dissolved and particulate natural organic carbon materials and contaminants, connecting land-based activities with estuarine surface waters. It is important to characterize these materials in tidal creeks because it provides insights as to their origins and potential for ecosystem impacts. Surface water samples were collected from Bull Creek, Charleston, SC, a semi-urbanized tidal creek wetland, on five sampling dates from fall 2015 to spring 2016 to measure total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), SUVA254 (specific absorbance as an indicator of aromaticity of DOC), and total water concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a ubiquitous class of hydrophobic organic contaminants of concern. Stream discharge was also measured to allow an estimation of material flux. One of the sampling dates captured these parameters following a historic rainfall related to Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015, and therefore the aim of the present study is to characterize the sources and to quantify the transport of carbonaceous materials and PAHs in Bull Creek, with a focus on the response to this storm event. The quality of suspended solids and DOC were different following the October storm event in comparison to the other sampling dates, and they were more terrestrially derived as shown by shifts in SUVA254 and correlations between TSS and turbidity. Elevated levels of PAHs were detected in Bull Creek after the storm, and diagnostic ratios indicated that additional mixed sources were mobilized by the event. Combining the measures of both carbonaceous material quality and PAH profile contributed to a better understanding of the sources to the tidal creek. Shifts in PAH sources and suspended materials have implications for PAH toxicity to aquatic life, as well as for the appropriate approach to water quality monitoring. Future work should aim to develop relationships between discharge, suspended materials, and PAHs to facilitate more continuous monitoring of material transport in tidal creeks, especially during storm events, which have a strong influence on water quality.

A case report of Mycoplasma wenyonii associated immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia in a dairy cow

BACKGROUND AND CASE PRESENTATION

A three year old, second lactation Holstein dairy cow presented to the Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety, Glasgow University Veterinary School in November 2014 with a history of post-calving vulval/vaginal bleeding nine days prior to presentation, followed by a sudden reduction in milk yield. Subsequent investigations resulted in a diagnosis of immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia secondary to infection with Mycoplasma wenyonii.

CONCLUSION

This report of a novel presentation of Mycoplasma wenyonii in a dairy cow illustrates the need to consider M.wenyonii as a potential differential diagnosis when a cow presents with anaemia and will discuss the potential implications of the condition at herd-level.

Minimally invasive genomic and transcriptomic profiling of visceral cancers by next-generation sequencing of circulating exosomes

BACKGROUND

The ability to perform comprehensive profiling of cancers at high resolution is essential for precision medicine. Liquid biopsies using shed exosomes provide high-quality nucleic acids to obtain molecular characterization, which may be especially useful for visceral cancers that are not amenable to routine biopsies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We isolated shed exosomes in biofluids from three patients with pancreaticobiliary cancers (two pancreatic, one ampullary). We performed comprehensive profiling of exoDNA and exoRNA by whole genome, exome and transcriptome sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencer. We assessed the feasibility of calling copy number events, detecting mutational signatures and identifying potentially actionable mutations in exoDNA sequencing data, as well as expressed point mutations and gene fusions in exoRNA sequencing data.

RESULTS

Whole-exome sequencing resulted in 95%-99% of the target regions covered at a mean depth of 133-490×. Genome-wide copy number profiles, and high estimates of tumor fractions (ranging from 56% to 82%), suggest robust representation of the tumor DNA within the shed exosomal compartment. Multiple actionable mutations, including alterations in NOTCH1 and BRCA2, were found in patient exoDNA samples. Further, RNA sequencing of shed exosomes identified the presence of expressed fusion genes, representing an avenue for elucidation of tumor neoantigens.

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated high-resolution profiling of the genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of visceral cancers. A wide range of cancer-derived biomarkers could be detected within the nucleic acid cargo of shed exosomes, including copy number profiles, point mutations, insertions, deletions, gene fusions and mutational signatures. Liquid biopsies using shed exosomes has the potential to be used as a clinical tool for cancer diagnosis, therapeutic stratification and treatment monitoring, precluding the need for direct tumor sampling.

Self and informant memory concerns align in healthy memory complainers and in early stages of mild cognitive impairment but separate with increasing cognitive impairment

BACKGROUND

Information provided by an informant about a patient with cognitive change is an essential component of clinical history taking. How an informant's report relates to the patient's phenomenological experience of memory loss is yet to be understood. The aim was to examine patterns of relationships between self and informant reports from a phenomenological perspective.

METHODS

Forty-three healthy non-memory complainers (HC-NMC), 37 healthy subjective memory complainers (HC-SMC) and 43 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were administered a semi-structured interview, which measured their concerns of frequency of memory lapses and impact on mood. Informants responded to questionnaires.

RESULTS

Self-reported concerns of increasing frequency and impacted mood related to informant concerns in HC-SMCs. MCI with lower informant concern showed a similar pattern to HC-SMCs on complaints of increasing frequency. In those with higher informant concern, self-reports markedly separated from informant concern. The MCI group with greater informant concern performed comparatively poor on verbal and non-verbal memory measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the association between self-reported and informant memory concerns is moderated by MCI severity. Self and informant reports of increasing memory lapse frequency aligned in HC-SMC and MCIs with low informant concern, suggesting a similar dyadic experience of memory change. In MCIs with greater informant concern, the pattern changed exposing a changing insight with advancing memory impairment. These individuals are potentially reflecting a 'forgetting that they forget' phenomenon in elements of their concern.

Jet energy measurement and its systematic uncertainty in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV with the ATLAS detector

The jet energy scale (JES) and its systematic uncertainty are determined for jets measured with the ATLAS detector using proton-proton collision data with a centre-of-mass energy of [Formula: see text] TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]. Jets are reconstructed from energy deposits forming topological clusters of calorimeter cells using the anti-[Formula: see text] algorithm with distance parameters [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], and are calibrated using MC simulations. A residual JES correction is applied to account for differences between data and MC simulations. This correction and its systematic uncertainty are estimated using a combination of in situ techniques exploiting the transverse momentum balance between a jet and a reference object such as a photon or a [Formula: see text] boson, for [Formula: see text] and pseudorapidities [Formula: see text]. The effect of multiple proton-proton interactions is corrected for, and an uncertainty is evaluated using in situ techniques. The smallest JES uncertainty of less than 1 % is found in the central calorimeter region ([Formula: see text]) for jets with [Formula: see text]. For central jets at lower [Formula: see text], the uncertainty is about 3 %. A consistent JES estimate is found using measurements of the calorimeter response of single hadrons in proton-proton collisions and test-beam data, which also provide the estimate for [Formula: see text] TeV. The calibration of forward jets is derived from dijet [Formula: see text] balance measurements. The resulting uncertainty reaches its largest value of 6 % for low-[Formula: see text] jets at [Formula: see text]. Additional JES uncertainties due to specific event topologies, such as close-by jets or selections of event samples with an enhanced content of jets originating from light quarks or gluons, are also discussed. The magnitude of these uncertainties depends on the event sample used in a given physics analysis, but typically amounts to 0.5-3 %.

Muon reconstruction efficiency and momentum resolution of the ATLAS experiment in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV in 2010

This paper presents a study of the performance of the muon reconstruction in the analysis of proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV at the LHC, recorded by the ATLAS detector in 2010. This performance is described in terms of reconstruction and isolation efficiencies and momentum resolutions for different classes of reconstructed muons. The results are obtained from an analysis of [Formula: see text] meson and [Formula: see text] boson decays to dimuons, reconstructed from a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 40 pb[Formula: see text]. The measured performance is compared to Monte Carlo predictions and deviations from the predicted performance are discussed.

Comparison of MR-less PiB SUVR quantification methods

(11)C-Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) is a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer designed to bind to amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The potential of PiB as an early marker of AD led to the increasing use of PiB in clinical research studies and development of several F-18-labeled Aβ radiotracers. Automatic quantification of PiB images requires an accurate parcellation of the brain's gray matter (GM). Typically, this relies on a coregistered magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to extract the cerebellar GM, compute the standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR), and provide parcellation and segmentation for quantification of regional and global SUVR. However, not all subjects can undergo MRI, in which case, an MR-less method is desirable. In this study, we assess 3 PET-only quantification methods: a mean atlas, an adaptive atlas, and a multi-atlas approaches on a database of 237 subjects having been imaged with both PiB PET and MRI. The PET-only methods were compared against MR-based SUVR quantification and evaluated in terms of correlation, average error, and performance in classifying subjects with low and high Aβ deposition. The mean atlas method suffered from a significant bias between the estimated neocortical SUVR and the PiB status, resulting in an overall error of 5.6% (R(2) = 0.98), compared with the adaptive and multi-atlas approaches that had errors of 3.06% and 2.74%, respectively (R(2) = 0.98), and no significant bias. In classifying PiB-negative from PiB-positive subjects, the mean atlas had 10 misclassified subjects compared with 0 for the adaptive and 1 for the multi-atlas approach. Overall, the adaptive and the multi-atlas approaches performed similarly well against the MR-based quantification and would be a suitable replacements for PiB quantification when no MRI is available.

The differential production cross section of the [Formula: see text](1020) meson in [Formula: see text] = 7 TeV [Formula: see text] collisions measured with the ATLAS detector

A measurement is presented of the [Formula: see text] production cross section at [Formula: see text] = 7 TeV using [Formula: see text] collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 383 [Formula: see text], collected with the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. Selection of [Formula: see text](1020) mesons is based on the identification of charged kaons by their energy loss in the pixel detector. The differential cross section is measured as a function of the transverse momentum, [Formula: see text], and rapidity, [Formula: see text], of the [Formula: see text](1020) meson in the fiducial region 500 [Formula: see text] 1200 MeV, [Formula: see text] 0.8, kaon [Formula: see text] 230 MeV and kaon momentum [Formula: see text] 800 MeV. The integrated [Formula: see text]-meson production cross section in this fiducial range is measured to be [Formula: see text] = 570 [Formula: see text] 8 (stat) [Formula: see text] 66 (syst) [Formula: see text] 20 (lumi) [Formula: see text].