Design and Evaluation of the Veterinary Epidemiology Teaching Skills (VETS) Workshop: Building Capacity in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Building workforce capacity in epidemiology skills for veterinarians in the Asia-Pacific region is crucial to health security. However, successful implementation of these programs requires a supply of trained veterinary epidemiology teachers and mentors. We sought to design and evaluate delivery of a 4-day Veterinary Epidemiology Teaching Skills (VETS) workshop as part of a larger project to strengthen field veterinary epidemiology capacity. Thirty-five veterinarians were selected to participate in the 4-day VETS workshop, consisting of nine modules delivered synchronously online. Participants were formatively assessed and given feedback from peers and facilitators on all activities. Data were collected with pre- and post-course questionnaires. Numeric values were categorized to convert into an ordinal scale with four categories. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Thirty-four veterinary epidemiologists from eight countries of the Asia-Pacific completed the workshop. Participants felt able to achieve most key learning outcomes through provision of succinct literature, teaching frameworks, and active participation in small groups, with multiple opportunities to give and receive feedback. Although the online workshop provided flexibility, participants felt the addition of face-to-face sessions would enrich their experience. Additionally, protected time from work duties would have improved their ability to fully engage in the workshop. The VETS workshop granted an effective online framework for veterinary epidemiologists to develop and practice skills in teaching, facilitation, assessment, feedback, case-based learning, program evaluation, and mentorship. A challenge will be ensuring provision of local teaching and mentoring opportunities to reinforce learning outcomes and build workforce capacity.

Vocal production in postpartum dairy cows: Temporal organization and association with maternal and stress behaviors.

Mammalian vocalizations can encode contextual information in both the spectrographic components of their individual vocal units and in their temporal organization. Here we observed 23 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows immediately after birth during interactions with their calf and when their calf was separated to the other side of a fence line. We investigated whether the vocalizations emitted in these postpartum contexts would vary temporally. We also described the maternal and stress behaviors preceding and following postpartum vocal production using kinematic diagrams and characterized call sequence structure. The kinematic diagrams highlight the disruption of maternal responses caused by calf separation and show that behavioral and vocal patterns varied according to the cows' emotional states and proximity to the calf in both contexts. During calf interactions, cows mainly produced closed-mouth calls simultaneous to licking their calf, whereas an escalation of stress responses was observed during calf separation, with the cows approaching the fence line, becoming alert to the calf, and emitting more mixed and open-mouth calls. Call sequences were similarly structured across contexts, mostly containing repetitions of a single call type, with a mean interval of 0.57 s between calls and a greater cumulative vocalization duration, attributed to an increased number of vocal units per sequence. Overall, calf separation was associated with a greater proportion of calls emitted as a sequence (inverse of single isolated calls), a shorter interval between separate call sequences, and a greater number of vocal units per sequence, compared with calf interactions. These temporal vocal features varied predictably with the high stress expression from cows during calf separation and may represent temporal modulations of emotional expression. Despite the noisy farm soundscape, empirical call type and temporal vocal features were easy to measure; thus, findings could be applied to future cattle studies wishing to analyze vocalizations for on-farm welfare assessments.

Smoking and Physical Activity Significantly Influence Stromal Vascular Fraction Cell Yield and Viability.

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous tissue is an abundant source of adipose-derived regenerative cells. It is readily available and easy to extract by means of liposuction, making it one of the most popular sources for tissue engineering and regenerative medical applications. METHODS: The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cell yield and viability of the lipoaspirate obtained from 43 patients undergoing elective liposuction were examined in correlation with their age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, and physical activity. The lipoaspirate was processed with the Celution® 800/CRS system to isolate the SVF and a few drops of the obtained pellet were used for cell counting with NecleoCounter® NC-100TM. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (65.1%) were men and 15 (34.9%) were women with an average age of 40.7 ± 10.4 years (women) and 38.9 ± 11.8 years (men). Viable SVF cells/g fat was significantly correlated with smoking level (negative correlation, ρ= - 0.312, P < 0.05) and with marginal significance with female gender. Cell viability showed a significant negative correlation with physical activity level (ρ = - 0.432, P < 0.01); borderline significance for correlation of this parameter with smoking level should not be neglected. Other parameters did not influence the cell yield nor the viability of the stromal vascular fraction. CONCLUSION: Many factors may influence SVF cell yield and viability. Our findings indicate that age and smoking significantly influenced SVF cell yield, age positively while smoking negatively. Increased physical activity had a negative correlation with SVF cell viability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE N/A: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Demographics and management of paediatric dental-facial trauma in the 'lockdown' period: A UK perspective.

BACKGROUND: The United Kingdom entered 'lockdown' on the 23 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in school closures forcing children to remain at home. Dental-facial trauma was still likely to be common place due to falls and injuries exercising. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical practice in a paediatric population in a tertiary care hospital and a linked Dental Institute. METHOD: A proforma was designed to capture the demographics, presenting complaints, type of dental-facial injury, treatment need and the treatment received for all paediatric patients presenting face to face with dental-facial trauma to King's College Hospital during the 'lockdown' period (23 March- 14 June 2020). RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty calls were triaged, converting to 102 patients seen face-to-face for dental-facial trauma. The remainder were able to be triaged 'virtually'. Injuries seen included 56 (54.9%) dentoalveolar injuries, 37 (36.2%) lacerations, five (4.9%) suspected facial fractures and four (3.9%) dog bites. Males and females were equally affected. The majority of incidents occurred in the home environment (n = 60, 58.8%), with the remainder (n = 42, 41.2%) occurring outside the home environment. The main causes of dental-facial trauma were falls (n = 47, 46.1%) and bicycles/scooters (n = 29, 28.4%). The most common type of dentoalveolar injury was lateral luxation (n = 15, 26.7%), followed by avulsion (n = 12, 21.4%). Only one child required treatment under general anaesthesia (GA). CONCLUSION: The demographic, presenting complaints and treatment needs of patients who presented during the lockdown period with dental-facial trauma were unusual. The overwhelming majority were able to be treated without the use of GA. The attendance protocol in a tertiary care setting and the use of 'teledentistry' ensured only the most severe trauma cases were seen. This highlights how more complex trauma can still occur during 'lockdown' and requires immediate management.

Kangaroos display gazing and gaze alternations during an unsolvable problem task.

Domestication is generally assumed to have resulted in enhanced communication abilities between non-primate mammals and humans, although the number of species studied is very limited (e.g. cats, Felis catus; dogs, Canis familiaris; wolves, Canis lupus; goats, Capra hircus; horses, Equus caballus). In species without hands for pointing, gazing at humans when dealing with inaccessible food during an unsolvable task, and in particular gaze alternations between a human and the unsolvable task (considered forms of showing), are often interpreted as attempts at referential intentional communication. We report that kangaroos, marsupial mammals that have never been domesticated, actively gazed at an experimenter during an unsolvable problem task (10/11 kangaroos tested), thus challenging the notion that this behaviour results from domestication. Nine of the 10 kangaroos additionally showed gaze alternations between the unsolvable task and experimenter. We propose that the potential occurrence of these behaviours displayed towards humans has been underestimated, owing to a narrow focus on domestic animals, as well as a more general eutherian research bias.

Assessment of Female Genital Surgery Education in Plastic Surgery Training: Report of an Expert Opinion Survey.

BACKGROUND: Patient demand for aesthetic genital surgery has markedly increased. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported 95,010 labiaplasties and 50,086 vaginal rejuvenation procedures in 2015. METHODS: We performed an online anonymous survey to evaluate the teaching of female genital procedures in plastic surgery training programs worldwide. RESULTS: A total of 1033 board certified plastic surgeons answered the survey. Most respondents were from the USA, Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. The majority of plastic surgeons performing these procedures were in private practice (77.62%) and (22.38%) in academic settings. Most plastic surgeons (75.63%) did not receive formal education in female genital rejuvenation procedures however 54.31% did receive education in reconstruction procedures. During their training, most were exposed to vaginal reconstruction (15.94%), labia minora reduction (11.9%), vulva reconstruction (11.53%), flaps for vaginal agenesis (11.39%) and monsplasty (7.98%). Additional training for female genital procedures was mostly at meetings and shadowing experts. Sixty-two percent reported that patients seldom requested those procedures, and 63.73% reported these procedures comprised less than 5% of their practice. The most commonly performed procedures were labia minora reduction, labia majora augmentation or reduction and monsplasty. The materials used were mostly fat grafting, hyaluronic acid injections and lasers. CONCLUSION: Additional formal training during residency for aesthetic genital surgery would be beneficial. Additionally, courses at meetings would be useful for plastic surgeons who have had insufficient training. More studies need to be conducted on the different female genital rejuvenation procedures offered in order to evaluate patients' long-term outcomes and satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The Role of International Volunteers in the Growth of Surgical Capacity in Post-earthquake Haiti.

BACKGROUND: The 2010 Haiti earthquake severely strained local healthcare infrastructure. In the wake of this healthcare crisis, international organizations provided volunteer support. Studies demonstrate that this support improved short-term recovery; however, it is unclear how long-term surgical capacity has changed and what role volunteer surgical relief efforts have played. Our goal was to investigate the role of international surgical volunteers in the increase of surgical capacity following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the operative reports of 3208 patients at a general, trauma and critical care hospital in Port-au-Prince from June 2010 through December 2013. We collected data on patient demographics and operation subspecialty. Surgeons and anesthesiologists were categorized by subspecialty training and as local healthcare providers or international volunteers. We performed analysis of variance to detect changes in surgical capacity over time and to estimate the role volunteers play in these changes. RESULTS: Overall number of monthly operations increased over the 2.5 years post-earthquake. The percentage of orthopedic operations declined while the percentage of other subspecialty operations increased (p = 0.0003). The percentage of operations performed by international volunteer surgeons did not change (p = 0.51); however, the percentage of operations staffed by volunteer anesthesiologists declined (p = 0.058). The percentage of operations performed by matching specialty- and subspecialty-trained international volunteers has not changed (p = 0.54). CONCLUSIONS: Haitian post-earthquake local and overall surgical capacity has steadily increased, particularly for provision of subspecialty operations. Surgical volunteers have played a consistent role in the recovery of surgical capacity. An increased focus on access to surgical services and resource-allocation for long-term surgical efforts particularly in the realm of subspecialty surgery may lead to full recovery of surgical capacity after a large and devastating natural disaster.

Molecular Signals Controlling the Inhibition of Nodulation by Nitrate in Medicago truncatula.

The presence of nitrogen inhibits legume nodule formation, but the mechanism of this inhibition is poorly understood. We found that 2.5 mM nitrate and above significantly inhibited nodule initiation but not root hair curling in Medicago trunatula. We analyzed protein abundance in M. truncatula roots after treatment with either 0 or 2.5 mM nitrate in the presence or absence of its symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti after 1, 2 and 5 days following inoculation. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry was used to identify 106 differentially accumulated proteins responding to nitrate addition, inoculation or time point. While flavonoid-related proteins were less abundant in the presence of nitrate, addition of Nod gene-inducing flavonoids to the Sinorhizobium culture did not rescue nodulation. Accumulation of auxin in response to rhizobia, which is also controlled by flavonoids, still occurred in the presence of nitrate, but did not localize to a nodule initiation site. Several of the changes included defense- and redox-related proteins, and visualization of reactive oxygen species indicated that their induction in root hairs following Sinorhizobium inoculation was inhibited by nitrate. In summary, the presence of nitrate appears to inhibit nodulation via multiple pathways, including changes to flavonoid metabolism, defense responses and redox changes.

Prucalopride is no more effective than placebo for children with functional constipation.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Prucalopride is a selective, high-affinity agonist of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 4 that enhances motility in the gastrointestinal tract. We performed a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of prucalopride in children (6 months to 18 years old) with functional constipation. METHODS: Children with functional constipation, based on the Rome III criteria, were given prucalopride (children ≤ 50 kg were given a 0.04 mg/kg oral solution; children >50 kg were given a 2-mg tablet) or placebo once daily for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of children with toileting skills who had a mean of ≥ 3 spontaneous bowel movements/week and ≤ 1 episode of fecal incontinence/2 weeks, from study weeks 5-8 (responders). Adverse events, clinical laboratory values, and electrocardiograms were monitored. RESULTS: Efficacy and safety were assessed in 213 children (106 prucalopride, 107 placebo). Twenty-five percent were younger than 4 years old, 50% were 4-11 years old, and 25% were 12-18 years old; 55.4% were girls. At screening, 62.3% of patients in the prucalopride group and 55.1% in the placebo group had a history of fecal incontinence; 60.4% and 55.1% in the prucalopride and placebo groups, respectively, had a mean of ≤ 1 spontaneous bowel movements/week. The proportion of responders was similar between groups (prucalopride, 17.0% and placebo, 17.8%). There were no statistically significant differences in the primary efficacy end point when patients were stratified by sex, age group, or country. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar in the prucalopride (69.8%) and placebo (60.7%) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Prucalopride, although generally well tolerated, was not more effective than placebo in children with functional constipation. ClinicalTrials.gov Number: NCT01330381.

A modified approach to component separation using biologic graft as a load-sharing onlay reinforcement for the repair of complex ventral hernia.

BACKGROUND: Components separation has been proposed as a means to close large ventral hernia without undue tension. We report a modification on open components separation that allows for the incorporation of onlaid noncrosslinked porcine acellular dermal matrix (Strattice, LifeCell Corp, Branchburg, NJ) as a load-sharing structure. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series including all cases using Strattice from July 2008 through December 2009. Data evaluated included patient demographics, comorbidities associated with risk of recurrence, hernia grade, and postoperative complications. The primary outcomes were hernia recurrence and surgical site occurrences. RESULTS: There were 58 patients; 60.8% presented with a recurrent incisional hernia. Average length of follow-up was 384 days. There were 4 hernia recurrences (7.9%). Complications included surgical site infection (20.7%), seroma (15.5%), and hematoma (5%) requiring intervention. Four deaths occurred in the series due to causes unrelated to the hernia repair, only 1 within 30 days of operation. CONCLUSIONS: This series demonstrates that components separation reinforced with noncrosslinked porcine acellular dermal matrix onlay is an efficacious, single-stage repair with a low rate of recurrence and surgical site occurrences.

The expanded inframammary fold triangle: Improved results in large volume breast reductions.

CONTEXT: The inferior pedicle, Wise-pattern reduction mammaplasty is the most popular technique for breast reduction because of its reproducible results and reliability. However, complication rates in super obese patients or patients receiving large volume reductions are high, ranging from 35 to 78%. These complications include delayed healing, infection, seroma, nipple-areolar complex necrosis, fat necrosis and development of hypertrophic scars. AIMS: This study aimed to determine whether a modification to the standard Wise-pattern reduction technique, an expanded inframammary fold skin triangle, produces improved outcomes in high-risk large volume breast reduction patients. We report that this modification leads to improved outcomes by decreasing wound complications and improving aesthetic appearance. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Twenty-two patients received the inferior pedicle Wise-pattern reduction mammaplasty, which was modified to include an 8 cm wide inferior pedicle. This pedicle was de-epithelialized and an 8 × 3 cm(2) triangle of skin was preserved at the inferior base to reduce tension at the triple point, inverted T-closure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on all patients who underwent reduction mammaplasty with the expanded inframammary fold (eIMF) technique as well as all patients who received the standard wise pattern technique. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: A student t-test was performed for both reduction populations using SPSS software package. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. RESULTS: The average patient age was 32.25 years old (range 18-59), average BMI was 35.0, and average tissue mass removed per breast was 1378.39 g. The modified technique was found to produce a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in the amount of breast tissue removed (693.96 g increase in the left and 571.21 g in the right) as well as a statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction in dehiscence (75% reduction) and post-operative infection (44.10%). CONCLUSIONS: This method is an easily reproducible and reliable technique that produces a favourable cosmetic outcome with acceptable, sustainable results in high-risk reductions in obese patients.

Capacity and needs assessment of veterinary services in Vietnam in biosecurity, biosafety and One Health.

The Asia-Pacific region is recognised as an epicentre of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), of which 75% are zoonotic in nature. Vietnam is recognised as a potential hotspot for zoonotic EIDs. There is a growing recognition that progress towards global health security requires greater focus on collaboration between the human health and animal health sectors to control diseases at their animal source and prevent against human health impacts. Assessment of veterinary epidemiology capacity in Vietnam is paramount to strengthening the health security of Asia-Pacific. This study aims to evaluate the national capacity and needs of veterinary services in Vietnam in biosecurity, biosafety and One Health. A cross-sectional, convergent mixed-methods study was conducted between November 2020 and April 2021. An online questionnaire was administered to government-employed field veterinarians. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression models were performed using survey responses to understand capacity in the field. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with stakeholders in veterinary services including government, academia, research institutes, non-profit and international organisations. Coding and thematic analysis using a deductive approach was used for data collected from interviews to contextualise findings from the survey and understand institutional capacity. In total, 178 field veterinarians completed the online survey and 25 stakeholders were interviewed. The majority of participants had reported receiving training in biosecurity and biosafety, including use of personal protective equipment. Most respondents reported practicing good biosecurity measures (92%) and good biosafety measures (88%). Physical and socioeconomic barriers to practicing biosecurity were reported to be prevalent for smallholder farmers, which may suggest a gap in the capacity of veterinary services to provide cost-effective and practical biosecurity strategies. Seventy five percent of participants had never or rarely participated in One Health approaches in the field in the last 12 months and 69% reported further training as a high priority. There was a knowledge gap reported amongst district and commune-level veterinary staff about the need for, and awareness of multisectoral collaboration. Respondents that completed postgraduate qualifications in epidemiology or Field Epidemiology Training Programs (adjusted OR: 3.06; 95% CI: 1.01, 9.23, p = 0.046) and had longer job tenure between 10-12 years (OR: 10.38; 95% CI: 3.06, 35.15, p = <0.001) were more likely to have higher levels of experience in One Health. This study identified gaps in knowledge, attitudes and adoption of practices related to biosecurity, biosafety and One Health specifically in lower-level or less experienced veterinary staff without further training opportunities in epidemiology. These findings enable prioritisation of training, policy, and planning activities to further enhance the national capacity of veterinary services in Vietnam.

Incisional negative-pressure wound therapy versus conventional dressings following abdominal wall reconstruction: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Improvements in surgical techniques have allowed us to achieve primary closure in a high percentage of large abdominal hernia repairs. However, postoperative wound complications remain common. The benefits of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the management of open abdominal wounds are well described in the literature. Our study investigates the effects of incisional NPWT after primary closure of the abdominal wall. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for the period between September 2008 and May 2011 to analyze the outcomes of patients treated postoperatively with incisional NPWT versus conventional dry gauze dressings. Patient information collected included history of abdominal surgeries, smoking status, and body mass index. Postoperative complications were analyzed using χ exact test and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included in this study; of them, 23 were treated with incisional NPWT, whereas 33 received conventional dressings. The rates of overall wound complications in groups I and II were 22% and 63.6%, respectively (P = 0.020). The rates of skin dehiscence were 9% and 39%, respectively (P = 0.014). Both outcomes achieved statistical significance. Rates of infection, skin and fat necrosis, seroma, and hernia recurrence were 4%, 9%, 0%, and 4% for group I and 6%, 18%, 12%, 9% for group II, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that incisional NPWT following abdominal wall reconstruction significantly improves rates of wound complication and skin dehiscence when compared with conventional dressings. Prospective, randomized, controlled studies are needed to further characterize the potential benefits of this therapy on wound healing after abdominal wall reconstruction.

Comparison of 3 techniques of fat grafting and cell-supplemented lipotransfer in athymic rats: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Given the wide application of autologous fat grafting, a new emphasis on fat processing techniques has emerged in an effort to limit unpredictable degrees of resorption often seen with this procedure. With the growing interest in regenerative medicine, approaches to supplement fat grafts with adipose-derived stem cells are evolving in hopes of promoting vascularization and neoadipogenesis. OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated the outcomes of the most common processing techniques for fat grafting--decantation, washing, high-speed centrifugation--and stromal vascular cell-supplemented lipotransfer to determine which method yields a higher percentage of retention and better quality graft. METHODS: A total of 32 subcutaneous injections of processed human lipoaspirate were carried out in 8 athymic rats. Each animal received all 4 processing conditions, with end points at 4, 8, and 12 weeks postinjection. Evaluation of graft survival included serial measurements of volume retention and histologic analysis. RESULTS: At 12 weeks postinjection, cell-supplemented and centrifuged grafts showed the most consistent volume maintenance. Based on histologic analysis, cell-supplemented and washed grafts had higher scores of viability and vascularity, with the former presenting the least cystic necrosis and calcification as well as minimal inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Cell-supplemented lipotransfer had optimal outcomes for graft retention, viability, and vascularity, while washing resulted in high viability with a less intensive process. High-speed centrifugation resulted in consistent volume retention but lower viability. Each of these approaches is ideal under different circumstances and contributes to the versatility and reliability of fat grafting.

Isolated paediatric orbital fractures: a case series and review of management at a major trauma centre in the UK.

PURPOSE: Paediatric orbital fractures are rare. Existing literature demonstrates wide variation in estimates of incidence, aetiology, management protocols and outcomes. Despite this, it is generally acknowledged that orbital fractures with entrapment of the extraocular muscles constitute a surgical emergency due to the potential for persistent diplopia secondary to muscle ischaemia and necrosis. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted to determine the characteristics and outcomes of management of orbital fractures amongst the paediatric population. It involved patients presenting to a major trauma unit in London between 2010 and 2020. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with isolated orbital fractures presented to our unit in this period. The average age was 13 years. Surprisingly the predominant aetiology was interpersonal violence. The most common fracture pattern involved the orbital floor and medial wall. One medial wall fracture case was missed in the emergency department. Eight patients required surgical intervention due to diplopia caused by muscular entrapment of extraocular muscles; the final patient had a large defect resulting in enophthalmos requiring a large titanium plate. A transconjuctival approach was preferred for surgical access and resorbable sheet was used in the remaining cases. Five patients had nausea, vomiting or bradycardia associated with the oculocardiac reflex. Surgical intervention occurred within 24-48 h of injury in 6 cases. Resolution of diplopia occurred in 7 patients within 6 months. CONCLUSION: Paediatric patients with orbital fractures should be assessed on the day of injury by a maxillofacial surgeon. Due to the risk of persistent diplopia, urgent surgical intervention in patients with entrapment of extraocular muscles should occur as soon as possible.

A randomised control trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial vaccine for pinkeye in Australian beef cattle.

Pinkeye (a generic term to describe infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis) is a significant disease of cattle worldwide, impacting productivity and animal welfare. One commercial pinkeye vaccine, a systematically administered Moraxella bovis bacterin, has been available in Australia since 2007. This is the first field trial of the effectiveness of this vaccine for the prevention of naturally occurring disease in Australia. Extensively run beef herds in southwest Queensland that regularly experienced pinkeye were enrolled in the trial and animals were randomly allocated to vaccinated and control groups in different proportions in each herd. The subsequent incidence of clinical pinkeye between the two groups was compared for animals less than one-year-old. Data were analysed from 649 cattle from five herds over two pinkeye seasons: three herds of 390 calves from 1st November 2019 to 20th January 2020 and two herds of 259 calves from 23rd September 2020 to 21st April 2021. Pinkeye was common with 24% of all calves (156/649) contracting the disease during the trial. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic mixed-effect models were fitted to account for clustered data and potential residual confounding due to sex, weight, breed, coat colour, and periocular pigmentation. The incidence of pinkeye was not significantly different between vaccinated and control groups, both alone (p = 0.67) and after adjusting for sex and weight differences (p = 0.69). The vaccine was not protective against naturally occurring pinkeye under the field conditions.

Impact of bushfires on Australian livestock health, welfare and carcase quality.

The 2019/2020 Australian bushfires were unprecedented in terms of total area burned and impact on livestock and wildlife populations. However, there is currently limited literature available relating the consequences of bushfire or smoke exposure to livestock health, welfare, and carcase quality. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using historical monitoring data from a Meat Standards Australia (MSA) accredited abattoir located on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, Australia. The spatiotemporal association between exposure to bushfire smoke (specifically the duration of the bushfires, distance from closest bushfire, annual bushfire season, proportion of the property of origin burned during the bushfires and time frame since exposure to bushfires) and effects on carcase meat quality metrics and pathology were measured, by building linear, generalised linear and cumulative link mixed models. Our findings indicate that hot carcase weight increased as the distance between the property of origin and the closest bushfire became greater and decreased with exposure to bushfires of longer duration or when greater proportions of the property of origin were burnt during bushfires. Subcutaneous rib fat of carcases also increased with an increasing distance of properties from the closest recorded bushfire and decreased with exposure to bushfires during the 2019/2020 season. Higher meat colour scores (darker meat colour) were associated with exposure to bushfires during the 2019/2020 season and exposure to bushfires of longer durations. There was only a weak association between increasing distance to the closest bushfire and higher marbling scores. Evidence of pneumonia in carcases was associated with exposure to bushfires of longer duration, specifically increasing risk of pneumonia was associated with fires of longer durations. Greater periods of time since exposure (i.e., >6 months) to bushfires were also associated with a higher risk of evidence of pneumonia at the time of processing. With increasing incidence of bushfires in Australia forecasted as a result of climate change, there is an urgent need to understand the impact of bushfires on livestock, to limit the effects on livestock health and mitigate the risk of significant socioeconomic impacts to the livestock industry. By providing a greater understanding of the impact of bushfires, the findings of this study can support producers to make informed decisions to mitigate the effects of bushfires on livestock health and carcase meat quality.

A retrospective study on antibacterial treatments for koalas infected with Chlamydia pecorum.

Chlamydiosis remains the leading infectious disease and is one of the key factors responsible for the dramatic reduction of koala populations in South-East Queensland (SEQ) and New South Wales (NSW) regions of Australia. Possible infection outcomes include blindness, infertility, painful cystitis, and death if left untreated. Studies have reported the treatment efficacy of chloramphenicol and doxycycline, which are the two most commonly administered treatments in diseased koalas, in clinical settings. However, none have directly compared the treatment efficacy of these antibacterials on koala survival. A retrospective study was essential to identify any relationships between the demographical information, and the animals' responses to the current treatment regimens. Associations were explored between six explanatory (sex; maturity; location; clinical signs, treatment; treatment duration) and two outcome variables (survival; post-treatment PCR). Results showed that female koalas had a statistical trend of lower odds of surviving when compared to males (OR = 0.36, p = 0.05). Koalas treated with chloramphenicol for ≥ 28 days had greater odds of surviving than when treated for < 28 days (OR = 8.8, p = 0.02), and those koalas administered doxycycline had greater odds of testing PCR negative when compared to chloramphenicol treatments (OR = 5.45, p = 0.008). There was no difference between the antibacterial treatments (chloramphenicol, doxycycline, and mixed/other) and the survival of koalas. Female koalas had greater odds of exhibiting UGT signs only (OR = 4.86, p < 0.001), and also greater odds of having both ocular and UGT clinical signs (OR = 5.29, p < 0.001) when compared to males. Of the koalas, 28.5% initially had no clinical signs but were PCR positive for C. pecorum. This study enables further understanding of the complex nature between chlamydial infection and response to antibacterial treatment.