Audit of animal-related injuries at UK veterinary schools between 2009 and 2018.

BACKGROUND: Animal-related injuries pose a significant risk to the veterinary profession. This study aimed to describe the incidence, demographics, context and consequences of animal-related injuries at UK veterinary schools. METHODS: A multicentre audit of accident records (2009-2018) across five UK veterinary schools was performed. Injury rates were stratified by school, demographics and species. The context and cause of the injury were described. Multivariable logistic models explored factors associated with medical treatment, hospital visits and time off work. RESULTS: An annual rate of 2.60 (95% confidence interval 2.48-2.72) injuries per 100 graduating students was calculated, varying between veterinary schools. Injuries were more frequently recorded in staff than students, and there were significant differences between staff and students in the activities performed preceding injury. Cats and dogs were associated with the highest number of reported injuries. However, injuries associated with cattle and horses were the most severe, with significantly higher hospital attendances and more time off work taken. LIMITATIONS: Data were based on reported injuries and likely underestimate the true injury rate. The population at risk was hard to quantify as population size and exposure were variable. CONCLUSION: Further research is recommended to explore the clinical and workplace management, including recording culture, of animal-related injuries among veterinary professionals.

Involving older people in inclusive educational research.

Young people entering the workforce will increasingly be working alongside older people and developing strategies to meet the needs and aspirations of older people. Students can be supported to understand the experience of ageing through Intergenerational contact programmes. Newcastle University Ageing Generations Education (NUAGE) is an example of an intergenerational programme in a higher education environment, bringing together undergraduate students and older people to discuss the subject of ageing. NUAGE was designed and delivered in collaboration with students and older people, and this article reports on the outcomes of an inclusive approach to pedagogic evaluation. Older people contributed to a series of consultations to assess the feasibility of an inclusive approach to evaluation of NUAGE and agree on research objectives. Older people subsequently contributed to the methodological plan, gathered data through questionnaires and interviews with student alumni and analysed the data alongside academic staff, providing intuitive and valuable contributions. We found that NUAGE alumni were positive about the impact of participation and cited examples of outcomes such as improved confidence in communicating with older people. Older people who took part in the inclusive evaluation found it to be a rewarding experience, despite some challenges. Our project demonstrates that an inclusive approach to pedagogic research in higher education is feasible and effective.

The effect of sample type, temperature and RNAlater on the stability of avian influenza virus RNA.

As a result of continuing worldwide outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused by the Asian lineage of H5N1, surveillance of targeted avian species in selected regions has been implemented. In these wild bird surveys, the use of real-time reverse transcription (rRT)-PCR has proved to be an invaluable tool as a frontline screening assay for the detection of avian influenza virus (AIV) RNA. However, verification of HPAI diagnosis, particularly in a primary outbreak situation, requires confirmation by a national, community or world reference laboratory. This may necessitate freezing and thawing of samples, sub-sampling and transportation to the reference laboratory. The deleterious effects of such handling on the infectivity of virus and the yield of viral RNA have been observed. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of freezing and thawing, time, sample type and transportation on the yield of AIV RNA. Additionally, the effect of the RNA stabilisation agent, RNAlater was investigated. It was demonstrated that the quality of AIV RNA in faecal homogenate was markedly reduced by freezing and thawing, but that treatment with RNAlater protected the viral RNA from deterioration. When using RNAlater even low titre AIV samples were protected from the detrimental effects of time and transportation conditions.