Biosecurity adoption in Québec dairy farms: results from a risk assessment questionnaire analyzed using conventional and unsupervised artificial intelligence methods

This study documents the current state of biosecurity on dairy farms in Québec following the implementation of a mandatory biosecurity risk evaluation that was part of the proAction® accreditation program developed by Dairy Farmers of Canada. Using a cross-sectional design, 3,825 risk assessment questionnaires completed between 2018 and 2021 were extracted from Vigil-Vet database, which is a software utilized by veterinarians for conducting the proAction® risk assessment. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the practices adopted by dairy producers. Additionally, multiple correspondence analysis was used to explore the association between the diseases of most concern and the adoption of biosecurity practices. Moreover, we used a hierarchical cluster analysis on principal components to identify distinct patterns of biosecurity practices among dairy producers. This analysis enabled the identification of typologies or clusters of farms based on the specific biosecurity practices they currently employ. The results of the descriptive statistics indicated that mastitis was the disease of most concern for most dairy farmers (40%). Moreover, given that only 10% of the 2,237 dairy farmers who acquired animals adhered to quarantine practices, there seems to be a need for improved implementation of biosecurity measures aimed at restricting the introduction of diseases when introducing new animals. Conversely, cleaning stalls and health equipment were adequately addressed by 95% and 86% of dairy producers, respectively. The multiple correspondence analysis indicated no significant association between the disease of most concern and the farm's biosecurity profile, except for respondents who identified digital dermatitis as their disease of most concern. Through the hierarchical cluster analysis, 3 clusters were identified among 3,581 farms: (1) Cluster 1 included farms with good management of sick animals; (2) Cluster 2 included farms with good management of young animals; and (3) Cluster 3 included farms with poor management of sick animals and young animals. Our study makes an important contribution by providing valuable insights into the biosecurity practices currently adopted on Québec dairy farms. It establishes a baseline for assessing progress in biosecurity practices adoption and serves as a reference point for future evaluations. In addition, these findings play a key role in monitoring the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving biosecurity on dairy farms. By making use of this knowledge, stakeholders can make informed decisions that prioritize animal health, increase productivity, and ensure sustainability of the dairy industry.

Trends in Glycemic Control Among Youth and Young Adults With Diabetes: The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study

OBJECTIVE

To describe temporal trends and correlates of glycemic control in youth and young adults (YYA) with youth-onset diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study included 6,369 participants with type 1 or type 2 diabetes from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study. Participant visit data were categorized into time periods of 2002-2007, 2008-2013, and 2014-2019, diabetes durations of 1-4, 5-9, and ≥10 years, and age groups of 1-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, and ≥25 years. Participants contributed one randomly selected data point to each duration and age group per time period. Multivariable regression models were used to test differences in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) over time by diabetes type. Models were adjusted for site, age, sex, race/ethnicity, household income, health insurance status, insulin regimen, and diabetes duration, overall and stratified for each diabetes duration and age group.

RESULTS

Adjusted mean HbA1c for the 2014-2019 cohort of YYA with type 1 diabetes was 8.8 ± 0.04%. YYA with type 1 diabetes in the 10-14-, 15-19-, and 20-24-year-old age groups from the 2014-2019 cohort had worse glycemic control than the 2002-2007 cohort. Race/ethnicity, household income, and treatment regimen predicted differences in glycemic control in participants with type 1 diabetes from the 2014-2019 cohort. Adjusted mean HbA1c was 8.6 ± 0.12% for 2014-2019 YYA with type 2 diabetes. Participants aged ≥25 years with type 2 diabetes had worse glycemic control relative to the 2008-2013 cohort. Only treatment regimen was associated with differences in glycemic control in participants with type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite advances in diabetes technologies, medications, and dissemination of more aggressive glycemic targets, many current YYA are less likely to achieve desired glycemic control relative to earlier cohorts.

Trajectories of Acute Diabetes-Specific Stress in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes and Their Caregivers Within the First Year of Diagnosis

Objectives

Our aims were to describe stress trajectories for newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adolescents and their parents, explore whether resilience is associated with stress trajectories, and to examine the effects of stress trajectories on diabetes-specific outcomes.

Methods

Fifty-nine youth aged 10-18 years with newly diagnosed T1D and a primary caregiver were followed for 12 months. Stress and resilience were assessed using questionnaires every 3 months, and diabetes-specific outcomes (self-care, quality of life, and hemoglobin A1C) at 6 and 12 months. Parent and adolescent stress trajectories were identified using semiparametric group-based modeling.

Results

Four stress trajectories emerged for parents and three emerged for adolescents. Adolescent trajectories were stable throughout the 12 months, and those with stable low stress had the highest levels of resilience. Further, the stable low stress group had higher quality of life scores at 12-month postdiagnosis. In contrast, stress for parents changed considerably over the 12-month period, and trajectory groups did not associate with 12-month outcomes.

Conclusions

Distinct patterns of stress emerged for both the adolescent and parent cohorts. Resilience at the time of diagnosis was particularly protective for adolescents. These results suggest that stress-reducing and resilience-promoting interventions for newly diagnosed adolescents with T1D may have potential to improve longer-term outcomes.

Do age and gender contribute to workers' burnout symptoms?

Background

Despite mounting evidence on the association between work stress and burnout, there is limited knowledge about the extent to which workers' age and gender are associated with burnout.

Aims

To evaluate the relationship between age, gender and their interaction with burnout in a sample of Canadian workers.

Methods

Data were collected in 2009-12 from a sample of 2073 Canadian workers from 63 workplaces in the province of Quebec. Data were analysed with multilevel regression models to test for linear and non-linear relationships between age and burnout. Analyses adjusted for marital status, parental status, educational level and number of working hours were conducted on the total sample and stratified by gender.

Results

Data were collected from a sample of 2073 Canadian workers (response rate 73%). Age followed a non-linear relationship with emotional exhaustion and total burnout, while it was linearly related to cynicism and reduced professional efficacy. Burnout level reduced with increasing age in men, but the association was bimodal in women, with women aged between 20-35 and over 55 years showing the highest burnout level.

Conclusions

These results suggest that burnout symptoms varied greatly according to different life stages of working men and women. Younger men, and women aged between 20-35 and 55 years and over are particularly susceptible and should be targeted for programmes to reduce risk of burnout.

Identification of neonates at risk of developing feeding problems in infancy

The increased survival of sick and preterm neonates may be associated with long-term problems which must be recognised and managed if outcome is to be optimised. In a prospective study of 35 neonates (median gestational age at birth 34 weeks) admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit over a 3-month period, we have documented a high incidence (14 of 35) of immature or abnormal feeding patterns when infants were assessed at 36 to 40 weeks postmenstrual age. Neonates with prolonged respiratory support and delayed enteral and oral feeding were most affected. Compared with neonates who have normal initial feeding assessments, neonates with disorganised or dysfunctional feeding were six times more likely to vomit and three times more likely to cough when offered solid food at 6 months of age. At 12 months of age significant differences were also found in tolerating lumpy food and enjoying mealtimes. We hypothesise that these feeding problems contribute to failure to thrive and psychosocial distress after discharge from the neonatal unit and propose potential neonatal measures to reduce their incidence.