Lower basal and postprandial muscle protein synthesis after 2 weeks single-leg immobilization in older men: No protective effect of anti-inflammatory medication.

Muscle inactivity may reduce basal and postprandial muscle protein synthesis (MPS) rates in humans. Anti-inflammatory treatment alleviates the MPS impairments in younger individuals. The present study explored the influence of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) upon MPS during a period of inactivity in older humans. Eighteen men (age 60-80 years) were allocated to ibuprofen (1200 mg/day, Ibu) or control (Plc) groups. One lower limb was cast immobilized for 2 weeks. Postabsorptive and postprandial MPS was measured before and after the immobilization by L-[ring-13 C6 ]-phenylalanine infusion. The protein expression of select anabolic signaling molecules was investigated by western blot. Basal (0.038 ± 0.002%/h and 0.039 ± 0.005%/h, Plc and Ibu, respectively) and postprandial (0.064 ± 0.004%/h and 0.067 ± 0.010%/h, Plc and Ibu, respectively) MPS rate were higher pre-immobilization compared to basal (0.019 ± 0.005%/h and 0.020 ± 0.010%/h, Plc and Ibu, respectively) and postprandial (0.033 ± 0.005%/h and 0.037 ± 0.006%/h, Plc and Ibu, respectively) MPS rate post-immobilization (p < 0.001). NSAID treatment did not affect the suppression of MPS (p > 0.05). The anabolic signaling were in general reduced after immobilization (p < 0.05). These changes were unaffected by NSAID treatment (p > 0.05). Basal and postprandial MPS dropped markedly after 2 weeks of lower limb immobilization. NSAID treatment neither influenced the reduction in MPS nor the anabolic signaling after immobilization in healthy older individuals.

Diabetes and COVID-19: psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in people with diabetes in Denmark-what characterizes people with high levels of COVID-19-related worries?

AIM: To map COVID-19-specific worries and overall psychosocial health among people with diabetes in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark, and to explore characteristics of people with diabetes and high levels of worries related to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted by distributing online questionnaires to 2430 adult members (> 18 years) of two user panels consisting of people with diabetes who have volunteered to share information about their life with diabetes. The questionnaire included items on COVID-19-specific worries as well as such worries related to diabetes, sociodemographic and health status, social relations, diabetes-specific social support, diabetes distress and changes in diabetes-specific behaviours. Responses were analysed with descriptive statistics and logistic regressions. RESULTS: People with diabetes have COVID-19-specific worries related to their diabetes. More than half were worried about being overly affected due to diabetes if infected with COVID-19, about one-third about being characterized as a risk group due to diabetes and not being able to manage diabetes if infected. Logistic regressions showed that being female, having type 1 diabetes, diabetes complications and diabetes distress, feeling isolated and lonely, and having changed diabetes behaviours were associated with being more worried about COVID-19 and diabetes. CONCLUSION: People with diabetes have COVID-19-specific worries related to their diabetes which is associated with poorer psychosocial health. These worries should be addressed through support targeting specific questions and needs of individuals with diabetes as well as frequent updates on new knowledge regarding COVID-19 and diabetes.

Pathology and Epidemiology of Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy in Dogs.

Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) has been recognized as a potentially life-threatening condition of dogs in the UK since 2012, although there was a single (non-azotaemic) case reported in the UK in 2000. Prior to that, CRGV was recognized in the 1980s in southern USA as a disease affecting solely racing greyhounds (which gave rise to the colloquial name of 'Alabama rot'). CRGV manifests as ulcerative skin lesions, generally sparing the dorsum. It is variably associated with systemic signs including anaemia, thrombocytopenia and acute kidney injury, which, when it develops, is often severe and fatal. CRGV is characterized histopathologically as a thrombotic microangiopathy. To date in the UK, more than 230 dogs of varying breed and age have been humanely destroyed and histopathologically confirmed to be suffering from CRGV. The aetiology remains unknown, but the seasonal distribution (highest case incidence November-May each year) suggests that environmental or climatic factors may play a role in disease development. Further research to determine the aetiology and improve ante-mortem diagnostic testing, therapeutic options and preventive strategies is urgently needed.

Poor work ability increases sickness absence over 10 years.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the predictive value of single items from the work ability index (WAI) on the risk of sickness absence over several years, and whether such risk varies across age groups. AIMS: The aim of the study was to investigate whether poor self-perceived physical and mental work ability among employees in the public sector are associated with long-term sickness absence over a 10-year period. METHODS: The study was based on a prospective cohort of employees within the public sector in Sweden reporting 'good health for working'. Baseline information was collected with questionnaires from 2000 to 2003. Poor physical and mental work ability in relation to work demands were assessed with two items from the WAI. The outcome was the number of years of long-term sickness absence between 2003 and 2012. Long-term sickness absence was defined as ≥28 days of sickness and this information was retrieved from Swedish National Registers. Crude and adjusted incidence rate ratios were calculated with analyses stratified by age. RESULTS: Compared with those reporting very good physical work ability, employees reporting any lower grade of physical work ability had a higher risk of long-term sickness absence across all age strata, with higher risk estimates in the highest age groups and 6-fold increased risk in the oldest age group. Similar results were found for mental work ability with an almost 4-fold increased risk in the highest age group. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported physical and mental poor work ability are associated with long-term sickness absence during the subsequent 10 years. The risk increases with age.

Why parents are skeptical about using probiotics preventively for small children: a Danish qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Research on the health effects of probiotics continues to grow, but less is known about consumers' perceptions of probiotic products and their health effects, and the impact of these perceptions on consumption. Particularly little is known about the way parents perceive probiotic consumption by small children, and whether parental willingness to use probiotics as a treatment differs from their willingness to use them preventively. The aim of this study was to explore how parents perceive probiotic consumption by their small children, and their willingness to use such products in treatment and prevention. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 17 Danish parents with at least one child aged 8-18 months. The interview guide centered on parental consumer practices and health-related attitudes both in general and in relation to probiotics. The data were coded in Nvivo and analyzed in a four-step analytical approach. RESULTS: Parents are willing to use probiotics as a treatment but are skeptical about preventive use. Some parents define probiotics as a kind of medicine they use only if their child is ill. Probiotics also conflict with parental understandings of their children as small, perfect parts of nature. Parents worry that probiotics may cause an imbalance in the vulnerable perfection of a small child. CONCLUSION: The study shows that parental probiotic consumption practices are embedded in a cultural understanding of the child as both a perfect example of nature and vulnerable. Health authorities need to take this understanding into account if parents are to be successfully encouraged to use probiotics preventively.

Preclinical evaluation of the kappa-opioid receptor antagonist CERC-501 as a candidate therapeutic for alcohol use disorders.

Prior work suggests a role of kappa-opioid signaling in the control of alcohol drinking, in particular when drinking is escalated due to alcohol-induced long-term neuroadaptations. Here, we examined the small molecule selective kappa antagonist CERC-501 in rat models of alcohol-related behaviors, with the objective to evaluate its potential as a candidate therapeutic for alcohol use disorders. We first tested the effect of CERC-501 on acute alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behavior. CERC-501 was then tested on basal as well as escalated alcohol self-administration induced by 20% alcohol intermittent access. Finally, we determined the effects of CERC-501 on relapse to alcohol seeking triggered by both stress and alcohol-associated cues. Control experiments were performed to confirm the specificity of CERC-501 effects on alcohol-related behaviors. CERC-501 reversed anxiety-like behavior induced by alcohol withdrawal. It did not affect basal alcohol self-administration but did dose-dependently suppress self-administration that had escalated following long-term intermittent access to alcohol. CERC-501 blocked relapse to alcohol seeking induced by stress, but not when relapse-like behavior was triggered by alcohol-associated cues. The effects of CERC-501 were observed in the absence of sedative side effects and were not due to effects on alcohol metabolism. Thus, in a broad battery of preclinical alcohol models, CERC-501 has an activity profile characteristic of anti-stress compounds. Combined with its demonstrated preclinical and clinical safety profile, these data support clinical development of CERC-501 for alcohol use disorders, in particular for patients with negatively reinforced, stress-driven alcohol seeking and use.

The prognostic implication of the SOFA score on acutely admitted medical patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prognostic implication of the SOFA score on all acutely admitted medical patients, to see how well it could predict 30-day mortality and ICU-admission. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Discriminatory power was calculated as AUROC. Calibration was assessed using Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit. RESULTS: AUROC for 30-day mortality was 0.68, (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.71) and ICU admission 0.71, (95% CI, 0.66 to 0.76). Goodness of fit for 30-day mortality and ICU admission was acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: The SOFA score showed average ability to predict 30-day mortality and ICU admission with acceptable calibration. When substituting GCS with AVPU the performance of the SOFA score was unacceptable.

Should Europe follow the US and declare obesity a disease?: a discussion of the so-called utilitarian argument.

In 2013, the American Medical Association (AMA) decided to recognize obesity as a disease. One of the main arguments presented in favor of this was broadly 'utilitarian': the disease label would, it was claimed, provide more benefits than harms and thereby serve the general good. Several individuals and groups have argued that this reasoning is just as powerful in the European context. Drawing mainly on a review of relevant social science research, we discuss the validity of this argument. Our conclusion is that in a Western European welfare state, defining obesity as a disease will not on balance serve the general good, and that it is therefore more appropriate to continue to treat obesity as a risk factor. The main reasons presented in favor of this conclusion are: It is debatable whether a disease label would lead to better access to care and preventive measures and provide better legal protection in Europe. Medicalization and overtreatment are possible negative effects of a disease label. There is no evidence to support the claim that declaring obesity a disease would reduce discrimination or stigmatization. In fact, the contrary is more likely, since a disease label would categorically define the obese body as deviant.

Eating out in four Nordic countries: National patterns and social stratification.

Using a survey conducted in four Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) in 2012, we investigated whether eating out in cafés and restaurants in these countries is best characterized as a workday pattern activity or a leisure activity; and, whether frequent eating at cafés and restaurants is related to socio-demographic factors and factors relevant to the organization of daily life. We found that eating out is not a fundamental part of everyday eating. It is something which takes place occasionally. This may be taken to suggest that eating out in the Nordic countries is primarily a leisure activity. However, while this is an accurate portrayal of Denmark and Norway, eating out in Finland and Sweden is somewhat more common and linked to work-life. This difference probably reflects contrasting historical-institutional paths: in Finland and Sweden a food culture emphasizing cooked lunches and dedicated public policies supporting the provisioning of lunches outside the home may have promoted eating out. Multivariate analysis revealed that eating out declines with age. An urbanization effect exists, as residence in a capital city increases the propensity to eat out. There were socio-economic differences in all countries. We hypothesized that education and status would not significantly explain eating out activity after people's gastronomic interest had been controlled for. However, education was statistically significant in Sweden and Norway, and surprisingly status was negatively associated with eating out in Sweden. As expected, eating out was positively associated with income, and it was more frequent among the higher salariat and the self-employed (although not in Norway).

No effect of anti-inflammatory medication on postprandial and postexercise muscle protein synthesis in elderly men with slightly elevated systemic inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Based on circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, some individuals develop slightly increased inflammation as they age. In elderly inflamed rats, the muscle response to protein feeding is impaired, whereas it can be maintained by treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is unknown whether this applies to elderly humans with increased inflammation. Thus, the muscle response to whey protein bolus ingestion with and without acute resistance exercise was compared between healthy elderly individuals and elderly individuals with slightly increased inflammation±NSAID treatment. METHODS: Twenty-four elderly men (>60years) were recruited. Of those, 14 displayed a slightly increased systemic inflammation (CRP>2mg/l) and were randomly assigned to NSAID (Ibuprofen 1800mg/day) or placebo treatment for 1week. The remaining 10 elderly individuals served as healthy controls (CRP<1mg/l). The muscle protein synthetic response was measured as the fractional synthetic rate (FSR) and p70S6K phosphorylation-to-total protein ratio. RESULTS: The basal myofibrillar FSR and the myofibrillar FSR responses to whey protein bolus ingestion with and without acute resistance exercise were maintained in inflamed elderly compared to healthy controls (p>0.05) and so was p70S6K phosphorylation. Moreover, NSAID treatment did not significantly improve the myofibrillar and connective tissue FSR responses or reduce the plasma CRP level in inflamed, elderly individuals (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: A slight increase in systemic inflammation does not affect the basal myofibrillar FSR or the myofibrillar FSR responses, which suggests that elderly individuals with slightly increased inflammation can benefit from protein ingestion and resistance exercise to stimulate muscle protein anabolism. Moreover, the NSAID treatment did not significantly affect the myofibrillar or connective tissue FSR responses to protein ingestion and acute resistance exercise.

Skeletal muscle adaptation to immobilization and subsequent retraining in elderly men: No effect of anti-inflammatory medication.

BACKGROUND: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may enhance resistance training induced gain in skeletal muscle mass and strength, but it is unknown if NSAIDs affects muscle loss during periods of inactivity in elderly individuals. Thus, we studied the influence of NSAID treatment on human skeletal muscle during immobilization and rehabilitation resistance training (retraining). METHODS: 19 men (60-80yrs, range) were randomly assigned to ibuprofen (1200mg/d, Ibu) or placebo (Plc). One lower limb was immobilized in a cast for 2weeks and retrained for 6weeks. Moreover, whey protein isolate was ingested (2×20g/d) throughout the whole study period. Plasma inflammatory markers, quadriceps muscle mass and strength, and muscle gene expression were investigated. RESULTS: Muscle mass and strength decreased after 2weeks of immobilization (P<0.001), but returned to baseline levels after 2weeks of retraining combined with whey protein supplementation (P<0.001). Furthermore, muscle mass and strength reached beyond baseline levels after 6weeks of retraining (p<0.05), and NSAID did not significantly affect this (p>0.05). No group-differences, but differences over time, were observed for muscle gene expression of proteolytic and anabolic factors. Plasma inflammatory markers were unaffected by the study intervention and NSAID treatment. CONCLUSION: Two weeks of lower limb immobilization lead to a reduction in muscle mass and strength, but these parameters were restored already after2 weeks of retraining and whey protein supplementation. After 6weeks of retraining and whey protein supplementation, muscle mass and strength increased beyond baseline levels, and NSAID treatment did not significantly influence this in elderly.

Detection of genetic variation affecting milk coagulation properties in Danish Holstein dairy cattle by analyses of pooled whole-genome sequences from phenotypically extreme samples (pool-seq).

Rennet-induced milk coagulation is an important trait for cheese production. Recent studies have reported an alarming frequency of cows producing poorly coagulating milk unsuitable for cheese production. Several genetic factors are known to affect milk coagulation, including variation in the major milk proteins; however, recent association studies indicate genetic effects from other genomic regions as well. The aim of this study was to detect genetic variation affecting milk coagulation properties, measured as curd-firming rate (CFR) and milk pH. This was achieved by examining allele frequency differences between pooled whole-genome sequences of phenotypically extreme samples (pool-seq).. Curd-firming rate and raw milk pH were measured for 415 Danish Holstein cows, and each animal was sequenced at low coverage. Pools were created containing whole genome sequence reads from samples with "extreme" values (high or low) for both phenotypic traits. A total of 6,992,186 and 5,295,501 SNP were assessed in relation to CFR and milk pH, respectively. Allele frequency differences were calculated between pools and 32 significantly different SNP were detected, 1 for milk pH and 31 for CFR, of which 19 are located on chromosome 6. A total of 9 significant SNP, which were selected based on the possible function of proximal candidate genes, were genotyped in the entire sample set ( = 415) to test for an association. The most significant SNP was located proximal to , explaining 33% of the phenotypic variance. , coding for κ-casein, is the most studied in relation to milk coagulation due to its position on the surface of the casein micelles and the direct involvement in milk coagulation. Three additional SNP located on chromosome 6 showed significant associations explaining 7, 3.6, and 1.3% of the phenotypic variance of CFR. The significant SNP on chromosome 6 were shown to be in linkage disequilibrium with the SNP peaking proximal to ; however, after accounting for the genotype of the peak SNP within this QTL, significant effects (-value < 0.1) could still be detected for 2 of the SNP accounting for 2 and 1% of the phenotypic variance. These 2 interesting SNP were located within introns or proximal to the candidate genes-solute carrier family 4 (sodium bicarbonate cotransporter), member 4 () and LIM and calponin homology domains 1 (), respectively-making them interesting targets for further analysis.

Expectations of recovery: A prognostic factor in patients with neck pain undergoing manual therapy treatment.

BACKGROUND: Expectations have been investigated in populations seeking care for neck pain, however not considering potential confounding factors. The aim of this study was to investigate if pretreatment expectations of recovery is a prognostic factor for recovery from neck pain at 7 weeks follow-up in patients seeking manual therapy treatment. METHOD: The study was based on the Stockholm Manual Intervention Trial, a randomized controlled trial investigating efficiency of three combinations of manual therapy. The patients with neck pain were included in this study (n = 716). Expectations of recovery was measured at baseline; 'How likely is it, according to your judgment, that you are completely recovered from your neck/back problems in 7 weeks'. Patients answered on a 11-point scale, further categorized into low, moderate and high expectations. The outcome was measured at 7 weeks follow-up by a modified version of the Global Perceived Recovery Question. Potential effect measure modifiers and confounders were measured at baseline. Multivariable log binomial regression models were used to analyse the association between expectations and recovery, presented as relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: High expectations of recovery yielded a 47% increased probability of being recovered at 7 weeks follow-up. High expectations of recovery yielded improved recovery in both men and women separately, but moderate expectations yielded improved recovery only among men. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that expectations of recovery is a prognostic factor for recovery in patients with neck pain seeking manual therapy treatment. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD?: We found that high expectations of recovery yielded a higher probability of recovery compared to having low expectations, also when considering potential confounding factors. Expectations seemed to have a more distinct influence on recovery among men.

Lactobacillus reuteri increases mucus thickness and ameliorates dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis in mice.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate whether two Lactobacillus reuteri strains (rat-derived R2LC and human-derived ATCC PTA 4659 (4659)) could protect mice against colitis, as well as delineate the mechanisms behind this protection. METHODS: Mice were given L. reuteri R2LC or 4659 by gavage once daily for 14 days, and colitis was induced by addition of 3% DSS (dextran sulphate sodium) to drinking water for the last 7 days of this period. The severity of disease was assessed through clinical observations, histological evaluation and ELISA measurements of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines from colonic samples. Mucus thickness was measured in vivo with micropipettes, and tight junction protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Colitis severity was significantly reduced by L. reuteri R2LC or 4659 when evaluated both clinically and histologically. The inflammation markers MPO, IL-1ß, IL-6 and mKC (mouse keratinocyte chemoattractant) were increased by DSS and significantly reduced by the L. reuteri strains. The firmly adherent mucus thickness was reduced by DSS, but significantly increased by L. reuteri in both control and DSS-treated mice. Expression of the tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1 was significantly increased in the bottom of the colonic crypts by L. reuteri R2LC. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that each of the two different L. reuteri strains, one human-derived and one-rat-derived, protects against colitis in mice. Mechanisms behind this protection could at least partly be explained by the increased mucus thickness as well as a tightened epithelium in the stem cell area of the crypts.

Welfare indicators in laying hens in relation to nest exclusion.

Consumer concerns about the welfare of laying hens are increasing, leading to increased interest in identifying reliable ways to assess welfare. The present study evaluated invasive and non-invasive welfare indicators in relation to a stressful challenge. The study included 126 Lohmann Selected Leghorn hens housed in furnished cages. Welfare indicators were measured between 61 and 70 wk of age in birds excluded from their nests for 5 consecutive d and control birds that had continuous access to nests. Baseline recordings were carried out in both groups prior to and post exclusion period. The assessed indicators were: corticosterone metabolites in droppings (FCM), corticosterone concentration in yolk, corticosterone concentration in plasma, irregularities of eggshells, heterophil to lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, tonic immobility duration, and feather cover. Behavioral observations showed that the birds had a clear preference for using the secluded nest sites, confirming that they were likely to perceive nest exclusion as an undesirable experience. Further, elevated levels of FCM in droppings, yolk corticosterone concentrations, H:L ratios and irregular eggshells were detected in both nest deprived and control birds during the exclusion. This suggests that these indicators were able to detect an increased stress response arising from nest deprivation, and it is hypothesized that the stress spread to birds in adjacent cages with access to nests. There was a positive and consistent correlation between FCM in droppings and eggshell irregularities, also supporting the use of eggshell irregularities as a potential non-invasive welfare indicator. However, the pattern of the stress response varied between indicators and correlations were generally few and inconsistent, highlighting the complexity of the relationship among welfare indicators.

Patients' strategies for eating after gastric bypass surgery: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There is considerable variation in the amount of weight patients lose after gastric bypass surgery, and this may be related to the way they adjust to the operation in their daily eating practices. Little is known about how this varies. On the basis of a qualitative research design, this study therefore explores how patients deal with gastric bypass surgery in their daily lives. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study is based on interviews with 24 men and women in Denmark diagnosed with morbid obesity who have had, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. The interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using 'grounded theory' methodology. RESULTS: Three strategies used by patients to cope with postoperative changes were identified. In the first strategy, patients treat surgery as time-out, using the operation to facilitate a change in their ordinary habits of daily life, but not as a solution to overweight in itself. Patients adopting the second strategy of surgery as solution would expect their smaller stomach to hinder excess food intake automatically. The third strategy of abstaining was adopted by patients who were afraid to experience negative side effects, or who believed they might 'ruin the operation'. CONCLUSIONS: Patients adjust to their postoperative condition in very different ways. The variation in the ways patients comprehend and cope with the operation and in its effects on their eating routines and practices needs to be further investigated and compared more systematically with the outcomes of the operation in terms of weight loss and overall well-being.

Eating practices and diet quality: a population study of four Nordic countries.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Daily practices related to eating are embedded in the social and cultural contexts of everyday life. How are such factors associated with diet quality relative to motivational factors? And, are associations universal or context-specific? We analyze the relationship between diet quality and the following practices: social company while eating, the regularity and duration of eating and the activity of watching TV while eating. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based internet survey was conducted in April 2012 with stratified random samples of the populations (aged 15-80 years) in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden (N=7531, completion rate 9-13%). The questionnaire elicited detailed accounts of one day of eating focusing on social and practical aspects of eating events. The validated Dietary Quality Score was the dependent variable. This measure is based on eight food frequency questions focusing on fats, vegetables, fruits and fish in the diet. RESULTS: Eating activities were associated with diet quality even when motivation to eat healthily and sociodemographic factors were controlled for. The number of daily eating events and eating main meals was positively correlated with diet quality in all countries. Beyond that, activities that were significantly associated with diet quality varied with country. When measured separately, the association between each activity and diet quality was weaker than motivation to eat healthily, but in combinations that are found in parts of the populations, the association was substantial. CONCLUSIONS: Daily practices related to eating are correlated with diet quality. Practices that are important are in part universal but also country-specific. Efforts to promote healthy eating should address not only cognitive factors but also everyday contexts of eating that facilitate or hamper healthy practices.

Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy as a cause of acute kidney injury in dogs in the UK.

To describe the signalment, clinicopathological findings and outcome in dogs presenting with acute kidney injury (AKI) and skin lesions between November 2012 and March 2014, in whom cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) was suspected and renal thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) was histopathologically confirmed. The medical records of dogs with skin lesions and AKI, with histopathologically confirmed renal TMA, were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty dogs from across the UK were identified with clinicopathological findings compatible with CRGV. These findings included the following: skin lesions, predominantly affecting the distal extremities; AKI; and variably, anaemia, thrombocytopaenia and hyperbilirubinaemia. Known causes of AKI were excluded. The major renal histopathological finding was TMA. All thirty dogs died or were euthanised. Shiga toxin was not identified in the kidneys of affected dogs. Escherichia coli genes encoding shiga toxin were not identified in faeces from affected dogs. CRGV has previously been reported in greyhounds in the USA, a greyhound in the UK, without renal involvement, and a Great Dane in Germany. This is the first report of a series of non-greyhound dogs with CRGV and AKI in the UK. CRGV is a disease of unknown aetiology carrying a poor prognosis when azotaemia develops.

Welfare and performance in layers following temporary exclusion from the litter area on introduction to the layer facility.

When introduced to the laying facility, pullets are sometimes temporarily excluded from the litter area in order to help them locate food and water, and to prevent floor-laid eggs. This procedure is not permitted in Sweden, because it involves denying access to both litter and space, which may have a negative effect on bird welfare. The present study investigated how the welfare and performance of layers were affected by this temporary exclusion on introduction of hens to the laying facility. The study included 600 floor-reared Dekalb White layers obtained at 16 wk age and housed in 6 groups of 100 in a conventional single-tier floor-laying system. Birds were either given full access to the litter area during the whole study or were excluded from the litter area during the first 2 wk after transfer to the laying facility. From 18 to 72 wk age, birds in both treatments had full access to the litter area. Excluding birds from the litter area for 2 wk resulted in better feather cover and reduced fearfulness, according to novel object and tonic immobility tests. Furthermore, birds initially excluded from the litter area produced eggs with a lower proportion of shell irregularities than birds with full access to the litter area throughout. No difference was found in corticosterone metabolites in droppings rate of lay, mortality, or proportion of floor-laid eggs. In conclusion, none of the parameters studied indicated that the welfare of laying hens was compromised by temporary exclusion from the litter area on introduction to the laying facility. In fact, some of the data suggested that bird welfare had improved.