Survival Analysis as a Basis for Testing Hypotheses when Using Quantitative Ordinal Scale Disease Severity Data.

Disease severity in plant pathology is often measured by the amount of a plant or plant part that exhibits disease symptoms. This is typically assessed using a numerical scale, which allows a standardized, convenient, and quick method of rating. These scales, known as quantitative ordinal scales (QOS), divide the percentage scale into a predetermined number of intervals. There are various ways to analyze these ordinal data, with traditional methods involving the use of midpoint conversion to represent the interval. However, this may not be precise enough, as it is only an estimate of the true value. In this case, the data may be considered interval-censored, meaning that we have some knowledge of the value but not an exact measurement. This type of uncertainty is known as censoring, and techniques that address censoring, such as survival analysis (SA), use all available information and account for this uncertainty. To investigate the pros and cons of using SA with QOS measurements, we conducted a simulation based on three pathosystems. The results showed that SA almost always outperformed midpoint conversion with data analyzed using a t test, particularly when data were not normally distributed. Midpoint conversion is currently a standard procedure. In certain cases, the midpoint approach required a 400% increase in sample size to achieve the same power as the SA method. However, as the mean severity increases, fewer additional samples are needed (approximately an additional 100%), regardless of the assessment method used. Based on these findings, we conclude that SA is a valuable method for enhancing the power of hypothesis testing when analyzing QOS severity data. Future research should investigate the wider use of survival analysis techniques in plant pathology and their potential applications in the discipline.

Economic evaluation of antimicrobial usage surveillance in livestock.

There is increased pressure by governments and industry to develop national surveillance programmes to evaluate antimicrobial usage (AMU) in animals. This article presents a methodological approach to cost-effectiveness analysis of such programmes. Seven objectives are proposed for AMU surveillance in animals: quantifying use, finding trends, detecting hotspots, identifying risk factors, encouraging research, evaluating the impact of policies and diseases, and demonstrating compliance with regulations. Achieving these objectives would assist in making decisions about potential interventions, help to generate trust, incentivise the reduction of AMU and decrease the risk of antimicrobial resistance. The cost-effectiveness of each objective can be found by dividing the cost of the programme by the performance indicators of the surveillance required to meet the objective concerned. The precision and accuracy of surveillance outputs are suggested here as useful performance indicators. Precision depends on the level of surveillance coverage (SC) and surveillance representativeness (SR). Accuracy is influenced by the quality of farm records and SR. The authors argue that there is an increase in marginal cost for each unit increase of SC, SR and data quality. This is caused by the increasing difficulty of recruiting farmers due to potential barriers such as staff capacity, capital availability, computing literacy and availability, and geographical differences, among other factors. A simulation model was conducted to test the approach, using the quantification of AMU as the primary objective, and to provide evidence of the application of the law of diminishing returns. Cost-effectiveness analysis can be used to support decisions on the level of coverage, representativeness and data quality required in such AMU programmes.

Les gouvernements tout comme le secteur de l'élevage exercent une pression croissante pour que des programmes nationaux de surveillance soient élaborés afin d'évaluer l'utilisation d'agents antimicrobiens (UAM) chez les animaux. Cet article présente une approche méthodologique permettant de réaliser l'analyse coût-efficacité de ces programmes. Sept objectifs sont proposés pour la surveillance de l'UAM chez les animaux : quantifier cette utilisation, relever les tendances, détecter les situations d'utilisation intensive, déceler les facteurs de risque, encourager la recherche, évaluer l'impact des politiques et des maladies et démontrer la conformité avec les réglementations. La réalisation de ces objectifs de surveillance permettra de prendre des décisions éclairées sur les interventions à mener, contribuera à mettre en place un climat de confiance, encouragera à réduire l'UAM et atténuera le risque d'apparition d'antibiorésistances. Le ratio coût-efficacité de chaque objectif peut être déterminé en divisant le coût du programme par les indicateurs de performance de la surveillance requise pour chacun des objectifs examinés. Les auteurs considèrent que la précision et l'exactitude des résultats de la surveillance sont des indicateurs de performance utiles à cet effet. La précision dépend du niveau de couverture de la surveillance (CS) et de sa représentativité (RS). L'exactitude est fonction de la qualité des registres d'élevage et de la RS. D'après les auteurs, chaque accroissement unitaire de la CS, de la RS et de la qualité des données donne lieu à une augmentation du coût marginal. Celle-ci s'explique par la difficulté croissante de recruter des éleveurs pour cette activité, en raison d'obstacles tels que le manque d'effectifs, la disponibilité de capitaux, le manque de compétences et d'équipements informatiques et les différences géographiques, entre autres facteurs potentiels. Un modèle de simulation a été mis en oeuvre pour tester cette approche à partir de l'objectif principal (la quantification de l'UAM), et pour apporter des éléments démontrant l'application de la loi des rendements décroissants dans ce domaine. L'analyse coût-efficacité peut être utilisée pour étayer les décisions concernant la couverture, la représentativité et la qualité des données requises pour les programmes de surveillance de l'UAM.

Los gobiernos y la industria vienen presionando cada vez más para la implantación de programas nacionales de vigilancia destinados a evaluar el uso de agentes antimicrobianos (UAM) en los animales. Los autores presentan una solución metodológica para analizar la relación costo-eficacia de tales programas. En primer lugar proponen un conjunto de siete objetivos que deben cumplirse al vigilar el UAM en los animales: cuantificar el uso, detectar tendencias, localizar áreas de "gran intensidad" de uso, determinar los factores de riesgo, alentar la investigación, evaluar la repercusión de las políticas y las enfermedades y comprobar la observancia de los reglamentos. El logro de estos objetivos ayudaría a decidir sobre posibles intervenciones y a generar confianza, supondría un incentivo para reducir el UAM y atenuaría el riesgo de que surgieran resistencias a estos productos. Para cada objetivo es posible determinar la relación costo-eficacia dividiendo el costo del programa por los indicadores de desempeño de la vigilancia requerida para cumplir el objetivo en cuestión. Los autores proponen utilizar la precisión y exactitud de los resultados de la vigilancia como útiles indicadores de desempeño. La precisión depende del nivel de cobertura y de representatividad de la vigilancia. En la exactitud, por su parte, influyen la calidad de los archivos de las explotaciones pecuarias y la representatividad de la vigilancia. Los autores postulan que cada aumento unitario de la cobertura y la representatividad de la vigilancia y de la calidad de los datos se acompaña de un aumento correspondiente del costo marginal. Ello se explica por la creciente dificultad que presenta la participación de ganaderos en el proceso, debida a su vez a posibles barreras en aspectos como la dotación de personal, el capital disponible, los conocimientos en informática y el acceso a ordenadores o las diferencias geográficas, entre otros factores. Para ensayar el método y probar que se aplica el principio de los rendimientos decrecientes, los autores emplearon un modelo de simulación, utilizando como principal objetivo la cuantificación del UAM. El análisis de la relación costo-eficacia puede ser utilizado como herramienta auxiliar para tomar decisiones sobre el nivel de cobertura, representatividad y calidad de los datos que se necesita en este tipo de programas de vigilancia del UAM.

Evidence of altered fatty acid metabolism in dogs with naturally occurring valvular heart disease and congestive heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common cardiac condition in adult dogs. The disease progresses over several years and affected dogs may develop congestive heart failure (HF). Research has shown that myocardial metabolism is altered in cardiac disease, leading to a reduction in ß-oxidation of fatty acids and an increased dependence upon glycolysis. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate whether a shift in substrate use occurs in canine patients with MMVD; a naturally occurring model of human disease. METHODS: Client-owned dogs were longitudinally evaluated at a research clinic in London, UK and paired serum samples were selected from visits when patients were in ACVIM stage B1: asymptomatic disease without cardiomegaly, and stage C: HF. Samples were processed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and lipid profiles were compared using mixed effects models with false discovery rate adjustment. The effect of disease stage was evaluated with patient breed entered as a confounder. Features that significantly differed were screened for selection for annotation efforts using reference databases. RESULTS: Dogs in HF had altered concentrations of lipid species belonging to several classes previously associated with cardiovascular disease. Concentrations of certain acylcarnitines, phospholipids and sphingomyelins were increased after individuals had developed HF, whilst some ceramides and lysophosphatidylcholines decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The canine metabolome appears to change as MMVD progresses. Findings from this study suggest that in HF myocardial metabolism may be characterised by reduced ß-oxidation. This proposed explanation warrants further research.

[Levels of human milk oligosaccharides in breast milk of mothers delivering preterm infants of different gestational ages and their effects on early growth and development].

Objective: To investigate the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) levels in breast milk of mothers delivering preterm infants and their effects on the early growth and development of infants. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, full-term and preterm newborns whose parents decided to breastfeed were recruited from Peking University Third Hospital between December 1, 2017 and November 30, 2018. The preterm infants were divided based on their gestational ages into extremely preterm (<28 weeks), very preterm (28-31+6 weeks) and moderate to late preterm (32-36+6 weeks) groups. Breast milk was collected from mothers at 7, 14, 28 and 120d postpartum. 368 breast milk samples were collected from 125 mothers in this study, including 54 mothers of full-term infants, 23 mothers of moderate to late preterm infants, 39 mothers of very preterm infants, and 9 mothers of extremely preterm infants. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to determine the concentration of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3FL), 3'-sialyllactose (3'SL), A-tetrasaccharide (P1), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), lacto-N-fucopentaose Ⅱ (LNFP-Ⅱ) and lacto-N-fucopentaose Ⅴ (LNFP-Ⅴ). Secretor status of mothers was defined as 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) concentration in colostrum and transitional milk greater than 200 µg/mL. Weight gain and the occurrence of allergic diseases of infants were collected at 120 d(4 months) postpartum. The chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for the comparison of categorical data between groups; Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for comparison of continuous data between groups. Nemenyi test was used for multiple comparison. Results: 79.2% (99/125) of the mothers were secretor. There were no statistical differences between groups in the secretor status of mothers (χ²=1.31,P>0.05). The total concentration of HMOs peaked at 1-2 weeks postpartum. Compared to the preterm milk, the HMOs from the term milk was trending downwards at an earlier time. In the breast milk of secretor mothers on 28 d, total concentration of HMOs significant differed among the three groups of preterm milk and the term milk, with the median value of 4 587.09,4 615.25,5 277.44,5 476.03 µg/mL, respectively (Kruskal-Wallis χ²=8.1234,P=0.044). When analyzed by the median weight gain of the infants (low vs high weight gain) at 4 months postpartum, 2'FL was significantly lower in the high weight gain group at 7 d (1 818.04 µg/mL vs 2 181.67 µg/mL, W=1 386,P=0.018), while LNT & LNnT were significantly higher (1 182.36 µg/mL vs 1 053.62 µg/mL, W=816,P=0.044). The level of 3FL at 120 d was significantly affected by presence of allergic disease in infants, breast milk from mothers of infants with allergic disease had lower 3FL than those from mothers of infants without allergic disease (256.17 µg/mL vs 286.18 µg/mL, W=564,P=0.026). Conclusions: The overall profiles of HMOs in breast milk of mothers delivering preterm infants was basically the same as that of mothers delivering term infants; individual HMOs play a role in weight gain and the development of allergic diseases in preterm infants, but the mechanism is unclear and needs further study.

Pigmentary keratitis in pugs in the United Kingdom: prevalence and associated features.

BACKGROUND: Pigmentary keratitis (PK) is commonly recognised in Pugs, but its aetiology is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated features of PK in Pugs in the United Kingdom (UK). RESULTS: A total of 210 Pugs (420 eyes) were recruited from 12 UK dog shows and social events. The median age of Pugs recruited was 2.50 years (range 0.25-16.25 years). Pigmentary keratitis was detected in 369/420 (87.8%) eyes and in at least one eye 193/210 (91.9%) Pugs, of which 17/193 (8.8%) were affected unilaterally and 176/193 (91.2%) bilaterally. Pigmentary keratitis was typically mild to moderate (46.3 and 49.9% of eyes, respectively). Detection of PK was significantly associated with increased age (P = 0.002) and the presence of medial entropion of the lower eyelid (MELE) (P = 0.001). Severity of PK was significantly associated with the grade of MELE (P < 0.001). There was also a correlation between the presence of limbal pigment and PK (P = 0.036) that warrants further study. CONCLUSIONS: This study estimated a high disease prevalence of PK in UK Pugs, and demonstrated significant associations with age and the presence of MELE. These associations, which have not been previously reported, offer an insight into the underlying pathophysiology of this condition in Pugs. The results encourage further population research, such as prospective longitudinal studies. These findings also support the development of clinical and breeding strategies based on the reduction of MELE and, possibly, limbal pigment.

Short communication: Pegbovigrastim treatment in vivo does not affect granulocyte ability to migrate to endometrial cells and kill bacteria in vitro in healthy cows.

In periparturient dairy cows, immune suppression, resulting in decreased neutrophil numbers and function, leads to increased susceptibility to postpartum conditions such as mastitis, retained placenta, and metritis. Administration of polyethylene glycol-conjugated bovine granulocyte colony stimulating factor (pegbovigrastim, Imrestor; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) 7 d before and within 24 h of calving, effectively improves granulocyte production and function in vivo as well as in milk. A recently developed coculture assay was adapted for use with endometrial epithelial cells to assess the effects of pegbovigrastim application on directed granulocyte migration and bactericidal activity in vitro on a per-cell basis in endometrial cell cultures. Granulocytes from treated and untreated periparturient cows (6 and 5 per group, respectively) were evaluated for their ability to migrate to and kill bacteria after treatment, in context of the infected endometrium. We hypothesized that in addition to increasing the absolute concentration of circulating neutrophil granulocytes, pegbovigrastim treatment in vivo alters the ability of granulocytes to migrate to endometrial cells in vitro. The results clearly show a marked increase in the total concentration of granulocytes and monocytes between the 2 treatment groups as early as 2 d after the first injection, and this increased between the samples taken 2 d after calving. No migratory or killing differences were identified between granulocytes of both groups, suggesting that pegbovigrastim-induced granulocytes were as effective as non-induced cells. This may also be due to the absence of negative energy balance in the study animals and leads us to conclude that the positive effects seen in vivo are most likely based on the larger number of granulocytes present rather than a direct effect of pegbovigrastim treatment on the functionality of cells for the parameters tested in this study.

Sexually dimorphic tibia shape is linked to natural osteoarthritis in STR/Ort mice.

OBJECTIVES: Human osteoarthritis (OA) is detected only at late stages. Male STR/Ort mice develop knee OA spontaneously with known longitudinal trajectory, offering scope to identify OA predisposing factors. We exploit the lack of overt OA in female STR/Ort and in both sexes of parental, control CBA mice to explore whether early divergence in tibial bone mass or shape are linked to emergent OA. METHOD: We undertook detailed micro-CT comparisons of trabecular and cortical bone, multiple structural/architectural parameters and finite element modelling (FEM) of the tibia from male and female STR/Ort and CBA mice at 8-10 (pre-OA), 18-20 (OA onset) and 40 + weeks (advanced OA) of age. RESULTS: We found higher trabecular bone mass in female STR/Ort than in either OA-prone male STR/Ort or non-prone CBA mice. Cortical bone, as expected, showed greater cross-sectional area in male than female CBA, which surprisingly was reversed in STR/Ort mice. STR/Ort also exhibited higher cortical bone mass than CBA mice. Our analyses revealed similar tibial ellipticity, yet greater predicted resistance to torsion in male than female CBA mice. In contrast, male STR/Ort exhibited greater ellipticity than both female STR/Ort and CBA mice at specific cortical sites. Longitudinal analysis revealed greater tibia curvature and shape deviations in male STR/Ort mice that coincided with onset and were more pronounced in late OA. CONCLUSION: Generalised higher bone mass in STR/Ort mice is more marked in non OA-prone females, but pre-OA divergence in bone shape is restricted to male STR/Ort mice in which OA develops spontaneously.

Hypovitaminosis D is associated with negative outcome in dogs with protein losing enteropathy: a retrospective study of 43 cases.

BACKGROUND: Hypovitaminosis D has previously been shown to be prevalent amongst dogs with protein losing enteropathy (PLE). The hypothesis of this study was that Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) serum concentrations could be a risk factor for negative outcome in dogs with PLE. Forty-three dogs diagnosed with PLE (2005-2014) and which serum Vitamin D serum concentrations were collected and archived at -80 Degrees C were analyzed. Post-diagnostic communication with referring veterinarians was made to determine outcome of PLE dogss: Dogs which died due to PLE within 4 months after diagnosis (negative outcome group, n = 22) and dogs alive or which died due to another disease at the end point of the study (1 year after diagnosis, good outcome group, n = 21). Serum samples taken at the time of diagnosis were analysed for ionized calcium (iCa) concentrations and serum 25(OH) D concentration. RESULTS: Clinical (CCECAI) scores, age at PLE diagnosis, and iCa concentrations were not significantly different between dog groups. A significantly greater (p < 0.001) number of PLE dogs treated with hydrolyzed or elimination diet alone showed good outcome as compared to the PLE negative outcome group. Median serum 25(OH) D concentration was significantly (p = 0.017) lower in dogs with negative outcome versus PLE dogs with good outcome. Using logistic regression analysis, 25(OH) D serum concentration was shown to be a statistically significant factor for outcome determination. Cox regression analysis yielded a hazard ratio of 0.974 (95% CI 0.949, 0.999) per each one nmol/l increase in serum 25(OH) D concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Low serum 25(OH) D concentration in PLE dogs was significantly associated with poor outcome. Further studies are required to investigate the clinical efficacy of Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) as a potential therapeutic agent for dogs with PLE.

Low temperature and dust favour in vitro survival of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: time to revisit indirect transmission in pig housing.

Porcine enzootic pneumonia (EP) caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae adversely affects pig welfare and is associated with major economic losses in the pig industry worldwide. Transmission is predominantly by direct contact, but the role of indirect transmission remains poorly understood. This study examined survival of six M. hyopneumoniae isolates dried onto five different surfaces encountered in pig units and exposed to temperatures of 4, 25 and 37°C for up to 12 days. Survival of the organisms was determined by recovering the organism from the surface material and culturing in Friis broth. Data were analysed by logistic regression to identify factors influencing survival of M. hyopneumoniae. Maximum survival was 8 days for all isolates on at least one surface (except stainless steel) at 4°C and was limited to 2 days at 25 and 37°C. Overall, dust and polypropylene copolymer supported M. hyopneumoniae survival the longest when compared with other surface materials. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that M. hyopneumoniae can survive outside the host for at least 8 days. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Understanding the transmission of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and optimizing biosecurity practices are keys to reducing the use of antimicrobial agents to control this pathogen. Direct transmission of the pathogen between pigs is the main route of spread and its lack of cell wall may compromise its resilience outside the host. The results from our study show that M. hyopneumoniae can survive for up to several days on dry surfaces and therefore may have the potential to infect pigs by indirect transmission. Factors influencing the survival of M. hyopneumoniae outside the host are further elucidated.

Machine-learning-based calving prediction from activity, lying, and ruminating behaviors in dairy cattle.

The objective of this study was to use automated activity, lying, and rumination monitors to characterize prepartum behavior and predict calving in dairy cattle. Data were collected from 20 primiparous and 33 multiparous Holstein dairy cattle from September 2011 to May 2013 at the University of Kentucky Coldstream Dairy. The HR Tag (SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel) automatically collected neck activity and rumination data in 2-h increments. The IceQube (IceRobotics Ltd., South Queensferry, United Kingdom) automatically collected number of steps, lying time, standing time, number of transitions from standing to lying (lying bouts), and total motion, summed in 15-min increments. IceQube data were summed in 2-h increments to match HR Tag data. All behavioral data were collected for 14 d before the predicted calving date. Retrospective data analysis was performed using mixed linear models to examine behavioral changes by day in the 14 d before calving. Bihourly behavioral differences from baseline values over the 14 d before calving were also evaluated using mixed linear models. Changes in daily rumination time, total motion, lying time, and lying bouts occurred in the 14 d before calving. In the bihourly analysis, extreme values for all behaviors occurred in the final 24 h, indicating that the monitored behaviors may be useful in calving prediction. To determine whether technologies were useful at predicting calving, random forest, linear discriminant analysis, and neural network machine-learning techniques were constructed and implemented using R version 3.1.0 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). These methods were used on variables from each technology and all combined variables from both technologies. A neural network analysis that combined variables from both technologies at the daily level yielded 100.0% sensitivity and 86.8% specificity. A neural network analysis that combined variables from both technologies in bihourly increments was used to identify 2-h periods in the 8 h before calving with 82.8% sensitivity and 80.4% specificity. Changes in behavior and machine-learning alerts indicate that commercially marketed behavioral monitors may have calving prediction potential.

A validation of technologies monitoring dairy cow feeding, ruminating, and lying behaviors.

The objective of this study was to evaluate commercially available precision dairy technologies against direct visual observations of feeding, rumination, and lying behaviors. Primiparous (n=24) and multiparous (n=24) lactating Holstein dairy cattle (mean ± standard deviation; 223.4±117.8 d in milk, producing 29.2±8.2kg of milk/d) were fitted with 6 different triaxial accelerometer technologies evaluating cow behaviors at or before freshening. The AfiAct Pedometer Plus (Afimilk, Kibbutz Afikim, Israel) was used to monitor lying time. The CowManager SensOor (Agis, Harmelen, Netherlands) monitored rumination and feeding time. The HOBO Data Logger (HOBO Pendant G Acceleration Data Logger, Onset Computer Corp., Pocasset, MA) monitored lying time. The CowAlert IceQube (IceRobotics Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland) monitored lying time. The Smartbow (Smartbow GmbH, Jutogasse, Austria) monitored rumination time. The Track A Cow (ENGS, Rosh Pina, Israel) monitored lying time and time spent around feeding areas for the calculation of feeding time. Over 8 d, 6 cows per day were visually observed for feeding, rumination, and lying behaviors for 2 h after morning and evening milking. The time of day was recorded when each behavior began and ended. These times were used to generate the length of time behaviors were visually observed. Pearson correlations (r; calculated using the CORR procedure of SAS Version 9.3, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC), and concordance correlations (CCC; calculated using the epiR package of R version 3.1.0, R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) evaluated association between visual observations and technology-recorded behaviors. Visually recorded feeding behaviors were moderately correlated with the CowManager SensOor (r=0.88, CCC=0.82) and Track A Cow (r=0.93, CCC=0.79) monitors. Visually recorded rumination behaviors were strongly correlated with the Smartbow (r=0.97, CCC=0.96), and weakly correlated with the CowManager SensOor (r=0.69, CCC=0.59). Visually recorded lying behaviors were strongly correlated with the AfiAct Pedometer Plus (r >0.99, CCC >0.99), CowAlert IceQube (r >0.99, CCC >0.99), and Track A Cow (r >0.99, CCC >0.99). The HOBO Data Loggers were moderately correlated (r >0.83, CCC >0.81) with visual observations. Based on these results, the evaluated precision dairy monitoring technologies accurately monitored dairy cattle behavior.

Intermittent applied mechanical loading induces subchondral bone thickening that may be intensified locally by contiguous articular cartilage lesions.

OBJECTIVES: Changes in subchondral bone (SCB) and cross-talk with articular cartilage (AC) have been linked to osteoarthritis (OA). Using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) this study: (1) examines changes in SCB architecture in a non-invasive loading mouse model in which focal AC lesions are induced selectively in the lateral femur, and (2) determines any modifications in the contralateral knee, linked to changes in gait, which might complicate use of this limb as an internal control. METHODS: Right knee joints of CBA mice were loaded: once with 2 weeks of habitual use (n = 7), for 2 weeks (n = 8) or for 5 weeks (n = 5). Both left (contralateral) and right (loaded) knees were micro-CT scanned and the SCB and trabecular bone analysed. Gait analysis was also performed. RESULTS: These analyses showed a significant increase in SCB thickness in the lateral compartments in joints loaded for 5 weeks, which was most marked in the lateral femur; the contralateral non-loaded knee also showed transient SCB thickening (loaded once and repetitively). Epiphyseal trabecular bone BV/TV and trabecular thickness were also increased in the lateral compartments after 5 weeks of loading, and in all joint compartments in the contralateral knee. Gait analysis showed that applied loading only affected gait in the contralateral himd-limb in all groups of mice from the second week after the first loading episode. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate a spatial link between SCB thickening and AC lesions following mechanical trauma, and the clear limitations associated with the use of contralateral joints as controls in such OA models, and perhaps in OA diagnosis.

Behavioral and physiological changes around estrus events identified using multiple automated monitoring technologies.

This study included 2 objectives. The first objective was to describe estrus-related changes in parameters automatically recorded by the CowManager SensOor (Agis Automatisering, Harmelen, the Netherlands), DVM bolus (DVM Systems LLC, Greeley, CO), HR Tag (SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel), IceQube (IceRobotics Ltd., Edinburgh, UK), and Track a Cow (Animart Inc., Beaver Dam, WI). This objective was accomplished using 35 cows in 3 groups between January and June 2013 at the University of Kentucky Coldstream Dairy. We used a modified Ovsynch with G7G protocol to partially synchronize ovulation, ending after the last PGF2α injection (d 0) to allow estrus expression. Visual observation for standing estrus was conducted for four 30-min periods at 0330, 1000, 1430, and 2200h on d 2, 3, 4, and 5. Eighteen of the 35 cows stood to be mounted at least once during the observation period. These cows were used to compare differences between the 6h before and after the first standing event (estrus) and the 2wk preceding that period (nonestrus) for all technology parameters. Differences between estrus and nonestrus were observed for CowManager SensOor minutes feeding per hour, minutes of high ear activity per hour, and minutes ruminating per hour; twice daily DVM bolus reticulorumen temperature; HR Tag neck activity per 2h and minutes ruminating per 2h; IceQube lying bouts per hour, minutes lying per hour, and number of steps per hour; and Track a Cow leg activity per hour and minutes lying per hour. No difference between estrus and nonestrus was observed for CowManager SensOor ear surface temperature per hour. The second objective of this study was to explore the estrus detection potential of machine-learning techniques using automatically collected data. Three machine-learning techniques (random forest, linear discriminant analysis, and neural network) were applied to automatically collected parameter data from the 18 cows observed in standing estrus. Machine learning accuracy for all technologies ranged from 91.0 to 100.0%. When we compared visual observation with progesterone profiles of all 32 cows, we found 65.6% accuracy. Based on these results, machine-learning techniques have potential to be applied to automatically collected technology data for estrus detection.

Control of trichloroethylene plume migration using a biobarrier system: a field-scale study.

The objective of this field-scale study was to evaluate the effectiveness of controlling trichloroethylene (TCE) plume migration using the polycolloid substrate (PS) biobarrier. The developed PS (containing soybean oil, lactate and surfactants) could release substrate to enhance the TCE dechlorination. In this study, a biobarrier comprising PS injection wells was installed. Injection wells were installed at 5-m intervals, and approximately 15 L of PS was injected into each well. Results show that TCE concentrations in the injection wells dropped from an average of 87 µg/L to below 1 µg/L after 35 days of PS injection. The total organic carbon concentrations in the injection wells increased from an average of 2.1-543 mg/L after 30 days of PS injection. The dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) values dropped from an average of 1.6 mg/L to below 0.1 mg/L and from 124 mv to -14 mv after 20 days of injection, respectively. The DO and ORP remained in anaerobic conditions during the remaining 100 days of the operational period. TCE degradation by-products were observed in groundwater samples during the operational period. This reveals that the addition of PS could effectively enhance the reductive dechlorinating of TCE.

Outcome of chronic inflammatory enteropathy in cats: 65 cases (2011-2021).

OBJECTIVES: Feline chronic inflammatory enteropathy is an idiopathic disease with limited information on variables that might affect treatment outcome and survival. The aim of this study was to determine if clinicopathological variables were associated with death due to gastrointestinal disease in cats with chronic inflammatory enteropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three medical records databases were retrospectively searched for cats diagnosed with chronic inflammatory enteropathy at the Royal Veterinary College between June 2008 and November 2021. Intestinal biopsy specimens of eligible cases were re-reviewed by one board-certified veterinary pathologist. Outcome information was obtained by contact with the referring veterinary surgeon. Two univariable binary logistic regression models and a Fisher's exact test were performed to assess the association between the outcome of death due to gastrointestinal disease or its short-term survival (≤ versus >1 year) with clinicopathological variables and the attainment of clinical remission. RESULTS: Sixty-five cats diagnosed with chronic inflammatory enteropathy between September 2011 and August 2021 were included in the study with follow-up information available for 54 cats (83%). Of these 54 cats, 20 (37%) were euthanised due to gastrointestinal disease (median 129.5 days; range 8 to 2970 days). Twenty-five (46%) cats were alive and in clinical remission (median 916 days; range 78 to 2113 days) with 16 (64%) diagnosed with food-responsive enteropathy. Attaining clinical remission reduced the likelihood of subsequent death due to gastrointestinal disease. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Measured physical and laboratory variables at the time of histopathological diagnosis of chronic inflammatory enteropathy were not predictors of death. Alternative diagnostic measures are required to definitively investigate outcome and survival in cats with chronic inflammatory enteropathy.

Effects of external ambient temperature at loading, journey duration and flock characteristics on the dead-on-arrival rate in broiler chickens transported to slaughter in Great Britain.

Broiler mortality during transport and lairage, prior to slaughter, has negative welfare and economic implications. Knowledge of the factors affecting the dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate can help identify risk-mitigating strategies. The objectives of this study were to determine the DOA rate in broiler chickens transported to slaughter in Great Britain and associated risk factors. Requested data for all loads of broilers transported to slaughter by 5 large British commercial companies on 57 randomly-selected dates in 2019 were obtained and combined with weather data extracted from the Met Office MIDAS Open database. The DOA rate was described overall and per load using summary descriptive statistics. Mixed-effects Poisson regression was used to evaluate considered flock-, journey- and weather-related risk factors. Results were reported as incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). On the selected dates, 25,476 loads transported 146,219,189 broilers to slaughter. The overall mean DOA rate was 0.08%. The median DOA rate per load was 0.06% (interquartile range 0.03-0.09%; range 0.00-17.39%). Multiple risk factors were identified including loading temperature and catch method. At relative humidity ≤80%, the DOA rate was 16.89 (95% CI 15.25-18.70, P < 0.001) times higher for loads loaded in external ambient temperatures >30.0°C compared to those loaded in temperatures between 10.1°C and 15.0°C. When relative humidity was >80%, there was a 43% increase in DOA rate for loads loaded in temperatures below freezing compared to those loaded in temperatures between 10.1°C and 15.0°C (IRR 1.43, 95% CI 1.35-1.52, P < 0.001). The DOA rate was 32% higher for loads caught mechanically compared to those caught manually (IRR 1.32, 95% CI 1.23-1.42, P < 0.001). The overall DOA rate was lower than that previously reported in Great Britain and for other European countries. Most identified risk factors had a marginal effect, however, loading temperatures >30°C substantially increased DOA rate. Internal thermal environmental conditions were not evaluated. Avoidance of loading during periods of hot weather would improve the welfare of, and reduce economic losses in, broiler chickens.

Spatial links between subchondral bone architectural features and cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritic joints.

Early diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA), before the onset of irreversible changes is crucial for understanding the disease process and identifying potential disease-modifying treatments from the earliest stage. OA is a whole joint disease and affects both cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone. However, spatial relationships between cartilage lesion severity (CLS) and microstructural changes in subchondral plate and trabecular bone remain elusive. Herein, we collected femoral heads from hip arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis (n = 7) and femoral neck fracture (n = 6; non-OA controls) cases. Samples were regionally assessed for cartilage lesions by visual inspection using Outerbridge classification and entire femoral heads were micro-CT scanned. Scans of each femoral head were divided into 4 quadrants followed by morphometric analysis of subchondral plate and trabecular bone in each quadrant. Principal component analysis (PCA), a data reduction method, was employed to assess differences between OA and non-OA samples, and spatial relationship between CLS and subchondral bone changes. Mapping of the trabecular bone microstructure in OA patients with low CLS revealed trabecular organisation resembling non-OA patients, whereas clear differences were identifiable in subchondral plate architecture. The OA-related changes in subchondral plate architecture were summarised in the first principle component (PC1) which correlated with CLS in all quadrants, whilst by comparison such associations in trabecular bone were most prominent in the higher weight-bearing regions of the femoral head. Greater articular cartilage deterioration in OA was regionally-linked with lower BV/TV, TMD and thickness, and greater BS/BV and porosity in the subchondral plate; and with thinner, less separated trabeculae with greater TMD and BS/BV in the trabecular bone. Our findings suggest that impairment of subchondral bone microstructure in early stage of OA is more readily discernible in the cortical plate and that morphological characterisation of the femoral head bone microstructure may allow for earlier OA diagnosis and monitoring of progression.

Genetic analysis of fertility in the Italian Brown Swiss population using different models and trait definitions.

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for fertility and production traits in the Brown Swiss population reared in the Alps (Bolzano-Bozen province, Italy). Fertility indicators were interval from parturition to first service, interval from first service to conception (iFC), and interval from parturition to conception, either expressed as days and as number of potential 21-d estrus cycles (cPF, cFC, and cPC, respectively); number of inseminations to conception; conception rate at first service; and non-return rate at 56 d post-first service. Production traits were peak milk yield, lactation milk yield, lactation length, average lactation protein percentage, and average lactation fat percentage. Data included 71,556 lactations (parities 1 to 9) from 29,582 cows reared in 1,835 herds. Animals calved from 1999 to 2007 and were progeny of 491 artificial insemination bulls. Gibbs sampling and Metropolis algorithms were implemented to obtain (co)variance components using both univariate and bivariate censored threshold and linear sire models. All of the analyses accounted for parity and year-month of calving as fixed effects, and herd, permanent environmental cow, additive genetic sire, and residual as random effects. Heritability estimates for fertility traits ranged from 0.030 (iFC) to 0.071 (cPC). Strong genetic correlations were estimated between interval from parturition to first service and cPF (0.97), and interval from parturition to conception and cPC (0.96). The estimate of heritability for cFC (0.055) was approximately double compared with iFC (0.030), suggesting that measuring the elapsed time between first service and conception in days or potential cycles is not equivalent; this was also confirmed by the genetic correlation between iFC and cFC, which was strong (0.85), but more distant from unity than the other 2 pairs of fertility traits. Genetic correlations between number of inseminations to conception, conception rate at first service, non-return rate at 56 d post-first service, cPF, cFC, and cPC ranged from 0.07 to 0.82 as absolute value. Fertility was unfavorably correlated with production; estimates ranged from -0.26 (cPC with protein percentage) to 0.76 (cPC with lactation length), confirming the genetic antagonism between reproductive efficiency and milk production. Although heritability for fertility is low, the contemporary inclusion of several reproductive traits in a merit index would help to improve performance of dairy cows.

Paroxysmal high-grade second-degree and persistent third-degree atrioventricular block in cats.

INTRODUCTION: Both paroxysmal high-grade second-degree and persistent third-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) are recognised in cats. Our aim was to document the presentation, echocardiographic data, comorbidities and outcome in affected cats from a single referral hospital, including those that underwent epicardial pacemaker implantation (EPI). ANIMALS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 64 cats diagnosed with persistent third-degree or paroxysmal high-grade AVB, for which detailed patient history was available. Non-parametric testing, Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard testing were performed. RESULTS: Atrioventricular block was persistent in 43 cats (67%) and paroxysmal in 21 (33%). Forty-seven cats (74%) were referred for cardiac complaints (e.g. collapse, arrhythmia, tachypnea), 6 (9%) had non-specific complaints and AVB was an incidental finding in 11 cats (17%). Median duration of clinical signs prior to presentation was 21 days (1-1138 days). Thirty-nine (63%) cats had echocardiographic abnormalities; 13 (20%) presented with congestive heart failure. Forty-five (70%) cats had one or more comorbidities. Fifteen cats underwent EPI with immediate resolution of signs in 12 cats. Following EPI, two and four cats experienced major and minor complications, respectively. Forty-seven cats died; median survival time was 799 days (all-cause mortality). Cardiac-related death occurred in 17 cats (36%); median survival in these cats was 132 days. Heart failure on presentation was the only independent risk factor for cardiac death (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Outcome in cats with AVB was variable, although most had good medium- to long-term survival. Cardiac death occurred in a minority of cats. Pacemaker implantation was effective in relieving clinical signs.

Associations between behaviour and health outcomes in conventional and slow-growing breeds of broiler chicken.

Broiler chickens are prone to a range of complex health and welfare issues. To support informed selection of welfare traits whilst minimising impact on production efficiency and to address a major gap in understanding, we systematically explored associations between health and behavioural indicators of broiler welfare. One conventional (CNV, n = 350) and two slow-growing broiler breeds (SGH and SGN, respectively n = 400) were reared from hatch in pens of 50 birds. Birds were assessed for health (gait, plumage cover and dirtiness, pododermatitis, hockburn, and leg deviations) at 2.2 kg liveweight according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Broiler Breed Welfare Assessment Protocol. Behaviour and resource-use of 10% of birds per pen, on days 29 (all breeds) and 43 (SGH and SGN), was (i) scan sampled every 60 min between three to six and between twelve to fifteen hours after photoperiod onset; and (ii) continuously sampled sequentially from focal birds for 3 min each in a random order, during 15 min observation periods at three and twelve hours after photoperiod onset. Binary logistic generalized linear models were used, to assess respective associations between pen prevalence of each health outcome and (i) pen mean percentage scans of behaviour, and (ii) pen mean frequency and duration per 3 min focal observation of behaviour. Better growth rate and feed conversion but poorer health outcomes (mortality, gait, pododermatitis, feather cover) were more prevalent in CNV. Strong associations between behaviour and several heath indicators revealed, (i) increases in side-lying inactive, sitting inactive, and use of the litter relative to other resources, as primary and general indicators of poorer health, and (ii) increases in standing inactive, perch use, walking, Comfort, High Energy and Exploratory behaviour as primary and general indicators of better health. Of these, changes in side-lying, standing inactive, walking, Comfort and High Energy behaviour were particularly sensitive to small differences in health outcomes important for breed acceptance in high-welfare schemes. Crucially these behavioural measures additionally represent motivational and affective aspects of welfare not captured by health measures and allow opportunity for earlier intervention. Thus, to provide a comprehensive assessment of broiler experience, behaviour should be incorporated into broiler welfare assessments.