Machine vision-based automatic lamb identification and drinking activity in a commercial farm.

Using ear tags, farmers can track specific data for individual lambs such as age, medical records, body condition scores, genetic abnormalities; to make data-based decisions. However, automatic reading of ear tags using Radio Frequency Identification requires (a) an antenna, (b) a reader, (c) comparable reading standards; consequently, such a system can be expensive and impractical for a large group of lambs, especially in situations where animals are not required to have a compulsory Electronic identification, contrary to the case in Europe, where it is mandatory. Therefore, this paper proposes a machine vision system for indoor animals to identify individual lambs using existing ear tags. Using a camera that is installed such that the trough is visible, the drinking behaviour of the lambs can be automatically monitored. Data from different lamb groups in two different pens were collected. The identification algorithm includes a number of steps: (1) Detecting the lambs' face, and its ear tags in each image; (2) Cropping each ear tag image and discerning the digits on it to obtain the tag number; (3) Tracking each lamb throughout the visit using a tracking algorithm; (4) Recovering the ear tag number using an algorithm that incorporates a list of the ear tag numbers of the lambs in each pen, and the predictions for each lamb in each frame. The You Only Look Once deep learning object detection algorithm was applied to locate and localise the lamb's face and the digits in an image. The models' datasets contained 1 160 and 2 165 images for the training set, and 325 and 616 images for the validation set, respectively. The algorithm output includes the identity of each lamb that came to drink, and its duration. The identification system resulted in a total accuracy of 93% for the data tested, which consisted of approximately 900 visits to the drinking stations, and was collected in real time in a natural environment. The ground truth of each video of a visit was obtained by human observation by studying the video. We checked if there was indeed a visit to the water trough and if so we registered the ear tag number of each lamb whose head was above the water trough. Thus, identifying lambs in a commercial pen using a relatively inexpensive and easily installed system consisting of a RGB camera and a computer vision-based algorithm has potential for farm management.

A machine vision system to predict individual cow feed intake of different feeds in a cowshed.

Data on individual feed intake of dairy cows, an important variable for farm management, are currently unavailable in commercial dairies. A real-time machine vision system including models that are able to adapt to multiple types of feed was developed to predict individual feed intake of dairy cows. Using a Red-Green-Blue-Depth (RGBD) camera, images of feed piles of two different feed types (lactating cows' feed and heifers' feed) were acquired in a research dairy farm, for a range of feed weights under varied configurations and illuminations. Several models were developed to predict individual feed intake: two Transfer Learning (TL) models based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), one CNN model trained on both feed types, and one Multilayer Perceptron and Convolutional Neural Network model trained on both feed types, along with categorical data. We also implemented a statistical method to compare these four models using a Linear Mixed Model and a Generalised Linear Mixed Model, showing that all models are significantly different. The TL models performed best and were trained on both feeds with TL methods. These models achieved Mean Absolute Errors (MAEs) of 0.12 and 0.13 kg per meal with RMSE of 0.18 and 0.17 kg per meal for the two different feeds, when tested on varied data collected manually in a cowshed. Testing the model with actual cows' meals data automatically collected by the system in the cowshed resulted in a MAE of 0.14 kg per meal and RMSE of 0.19 kg per meal. These results suggest the potential of measuring individual feed intake of dairy cows in a cowshed using RGBD cameras and Deep Learning models that can be applied and tuned to different types of feed.

Short Communication: The effect of age on young sheep biometric identification.

Biometric identification provides an important tool for precision livestock farming. This study investigates the effect of weight gain and sheep maturation on recognition performance. Sheep facial identification was implemented using two convolutional neural network (CNN) called Faster R-CNN, and ResNet50V2, equipped with the state-of-art Additive Angular Margin (ArcFace) loss function. The identification model was tested on 47 young sheep at different stages, during a 3-month growth period, when they were between 2 and 5 months old, throughout which the sheep gained approximately 30 kilograms in weight. Results revealed that when the model was trained and tested on images of sheep aged 2 months, the average accuracy of the group was 95.4%, compared with 91.3% when trained on images of sheep aged 2 months but tested on images of sheep aged 5 months.

Spermatozoa with numerical chromosomal abnormalities are more prone to be retained by Annexin V-MACS columns.

Colloidal super-paramagnetic microbeads conjugated with annexin V are effective for separating apoptotic spermatozoa by MACS as a result of the high affinity of annexin V for externalized PS molecules. The effectiveness of the procedure in reducing the percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA and abnormal morphology has also been reported. However, it is still unknown if it could decrease the percentage of aneuploid spermatozoa. The objective of our prospective study, performed on 16 males with abnormal FISH on spermatozoa, was to assess if MACS columns were useful tools to retain spermatozoa carrying chromosomal abnormalities in semen samples processed after density gradient centrifugation (DGC). The pellet obtained after DGC was subjected to MACS, and sperm FISH analyses were performed both in the eluded fraction and in the fraction retained in the column. The observed frequencies of disomy and nullisomy 13, 18, and 21, X and Y, as well as the diploidy rates in the MACS eluded fraction and the fraction retained in the MACS column were recorded. We observed that the frequencies of aneuploidies in the eluded fraction were lower than in the fraction retained in the MACS column (0.59% vs. 0.75%; p = 0.010). DGC determined a significant reduction in sperm concentration (z-ratio = 2.83; p = 0.005) and a significant increase in sperm progressive motility (z-ratio = -3.5; p < 0.001). MACS also led to a significant reduction in sperm concentration (z-ratio = 3.14; p = 0.002) and a significant increase in progressive motility (z-ratio = -2.59; p = 0.01) when compared with the post-DGC sample. Sperm concentration was similar in the two fractions generated by MACS (z-ratio = 0.63; p = 0.52), while progressive motility was significantly higher in the MACS eluded fraction (z-ratio = 2.42; p = 0.02). According to our results, MACS columns are able to selectively retain spermatozoa carrying chromosomal abnormalities. Furthermore, the performance of DGC and MACS on semen samples leads to an enrichment of progressive motility.

Accumulation of numerical and structural chromosome imbalances in spermatozoa from reciprocal translocation carriers.

STUDY QUESTION: Is there a relationship between the occurrence of specific segregation modes and the production of additional numerical abnormalities in spermatozoa from reciprocal translocation carriers? STUDY ANSWER: The production of aneuploid and diploid spermatozoa tends to be associated with an unbalanced segregation outcome of the rearranged chromosomes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Carriers of reciprocal translocations have an increased genetic reproductive risk as a consequence of producing higher numbers of unbalanced spermatozoa. These imbalances can originate during the segregation of the rearranged chromosomes and also from the occurrence of interchromosomal effects (ICEs). Usually, the outcome of both events is studied independently by means of sperm fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We designed a sequential FISH protocol based on two successive hybridization rounds to study the segregation outcome of the rearranged chromosomes and the presence of additional numerical abnormalities in the same sperm nuclei. The study was performed between February 2010 and February 2012. MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Sperm samples from eight reciprocal translocation carriers were processed for FISH analysis. Numerical abnormalities for chromosomes X, Y, 13, 18 and 21 were evaluated in the first hybridization round. The aneuploid and diploid nuclei were relocated and analysed for the segregation outcome of the rearranged chromosomes in the second hybridization round. In every carrier, another population of non-selected spermatozoa was also analysed with the aim of defining the general segregation outcome of each reorganization event. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Overall, the selected population of aneuploid and diploid spermatozoa showed significant increased frequencies of unbalanced segregation modes of the rearranged chromosomes (3:1, 4:0 and 'other') when compared with the non-selected population of spermatozoa. A P-value of <0.05 was chosen to determine if differences observed were statistically significant. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: FISH only allows the analysis of a limited number of chromosomes. Information about the content of additional chromosomes would have been useful in order to broaden the number of aneuploid spermatozoa population, and to infer a more accurate possible mechanism for generating chromosomal imbalances. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: There was no previous data about a relationship between chromosomal numerical abnormalities and segregation of rearranged chromosomes. Our findings are consistent with a possible gathering of chromosomal abnormalities in a given nucleus. This information can be used towards a better understanding of the meiotic mechanisms involved in non-disjunction events in gametes from reciprocal translocation carriers. Also, it would help to provide a better reproductive genetic risk assessment in these patients. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This work was supported by funding of projects SAF2010-2241 (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain), SGR2009-282 (Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain) and UAB CF-180034 (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain). The authors declare the lack of competing interests in this study.

[A child health promotion intervention in Albania: results and lessons learned]. / Promozione e cura della salute infantile in Albania: risultati e lezioni apprese da un intervento di sanità pubblica.

Albania is a Balkan country in South-Eastern Europe which, in recent years, has undergone complex demographic, political and economical changes. A notable drop in infant and maternal mortality rates and a significant rise in economic indicators have been observed in recent years. Despite this, over 15% of the population living in the northern and north-eastern areas of the country lives in extreme poverty conditions. In recent years various healthcare system reforms have been introduced, including the introduction of private healthcare and improvement of the main hospital infrastructures but not much has been done to increase the provision of essential healthcare services especially in rural and poor areas. Inequalities in health care are therefore widespread and these particularly affect children living in critical areas. In this paper we describe a paediatric healthcare intervention programme conducted in Albania from 2002 to 2004, aimed at improving the health and nutrition status of children and tackling healthcare system inequalities. The intervention consisted in offering free healthcare services and assistance, delivered through the Albanian healthcare system, to 5280 children. It also involved a health education programme for the mothers. The impact of the programme on the prevalence of infant malnutrition was evaluated by examining the medical records of 1745 infants followed for at least 6 months. Prevalence of malnutrition significantly decreased, from 13.4% to 4.2% during the study period. Mortality in children aged 0-5 years also showed a considerable drop. These results confirm that an efficient and sustainable model of paediatric healthcare assistance in Albania is possible.

Iron deficiency anemia and feeding practices in Albanian children.

Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional problem of humans. In northern Albania, nutritional deficiencies are widespread among children but there is a lack of biochemical data. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence rate of the iron deficiency anemia in a sample of northern Albanian children. A group of 112 children aged 6-60 months, recruited during the routine vaccinations, was enrolled in a cross-sectional health examination survey that included venou blood measurements of iron status. The survey was conducted during 2000 in Lezha District. The mean age was 17.1 +/- 10 months, the majority of the children were living in rural areas (61%), 47.8% were female. The mean level of hemoglobin was lower than the reference value (10.3 +/- 1.1). Iron deficiency Anemia occurred in 47 children (47%) and more likely during the first year of the life (51%). Fifty seven children were fed with whole cow's milk, among them 44 were IDA. The risk value to be anemic or iron deficient for infants aged 6 to 12 months that were fed with whole cow's milk before the fourth months of life was high (OR = 6.2 (C.L.1.0-38)). In conclusion, the high prevalence of IDA and the relationship with early feeding of whole cow's milk suggest to consider iron deficiency in infancy and childhood in Albania as an important nutritional public health problem and to implement strategies for his detection, treatment and prevention.

Peritonitis meconial con resolución espontánea / Meconium peritonitis with spontaneous resolution

No disponible

Prediction of hyperbilirubinaemia in the healthy term newborn.

UNLABELLED: The aim is to establish the correlation between transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB) and serum bilirubin (TSB) and its predictive value for significant hyperbilirubinaemia > or = 290 mcmol/L (17 mg/dL). We studied a total of 2004 healthy full-term newborns, weight 3.230 g +/- 491 g; 90% received breast milk. The study was performed in two phases. In the first phase (610 newborns), the following tests were carried out: hematocrit and bilirubin in umbilical cord blood; TCB at 24 h, 48 h and between 60 h and 96 h at the forehead and over the sternum; TSB was measured along with this last test. In the second phase (1394 newborns), the predictive value of TCB and TSB was validated. The incidence of bilirubin > or = 290 mcmol/L was 2.95% and 3.2%. The correlation between TSB and TCB is high (n = 996; r = 0.92; y = 5.916 + 0.804x; p < 0.000). There was a better correlation between TCB and TSB with sternal compared to forehead determination (< 24 h: 0.81 vs 0.77; 24-48 h: 0.887 vs 0.83; and > 48 h: 0.94 vs 0.83). The study showed the scant sensitivity of umbilical cord blood bilirubin and good predictive value at 24 h of TSB > or = 102 mcmol/L (6 mg/dL) and at 48 h of TSB > or = 154 mcmol/L (9 mg/dL) and TCB > or = 13 (equivalent to 154 mcmol/L). CONCLUSION: There is a good correlation between TCB and TSB. In infants with TSB > or = 102 mcmol/L at 24 h or TSB > or = 154 mcmol/L or transcutaneous readings > or = 13 h at 48 h, a TSB test must be performed after 48 h of life.

Anti-Inflammatory properties of a lipid fraction obtained from Sideritis javalambrensis.

A lipid fraction obtained by activity-guided fractionation from the hexane extract of Sideritis javalambrensis was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity. This fraction significantly inhibited paw oedema induced by carrageenan as well as ear oedema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) in mice after oral or topical administration, respectively. Quantitation of the specific marker myeloperoxidase (MPO) demonstrated that its topical anti-inflammatory activity was associated with reduction in cell infiltration into inflamed tissues. The lipid fraction significantly decreased leukocyte granular enzyme release (beta-glucuronidase), but failed to inhibit superoxide generation. Histamine release from mast cells was also suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, non-toxic concentrations of this fraction reduced nitric oxide (NO) generation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated J774 macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest that the lipid fraction exerts in vivo anti-inflammatory activity with the partial contribution of inhibitory actions on some inflammatory responses.

Child malnutrition in north Albania: results from an anthropometric survey.

In order to assess child malnutrition, an anthropometric cross-sectional survey of children aged 0-36 months was conducted in selected rural, urban and mountainous areas of Northern Albania in May 1997. The results showed a high prevalence of low anthropometric indices in rural and mountainous areas with a trend of similar magnitude in northern rural areas. In Northern Albania child malnutrition is a public health priority. As the main risk factor for underweight we found a recent history of diarrhoea (OR = 2.45) together with female gender (OR = 2.28), rural (OR = 2.09) or mountain (OR = 1.61) residency. Absence of sanitation, marker of poor housing conditions, also showed a significant association (OR = 1.55) with underweight. Low birthweight (OR = 1.12) was confirmed as an important risk factor for underweight condition. In conclusion these findings underline the importance of support appropriate mother and child health and nutritional programmes in rural areas of Northern Albania.

[Hyperbilirubinemia in full-term newborns. Predictive factors]. / Estudio de los factores predictivos de la hiperbilirrubinemia en recién nacidos a término.

OBJECTIVE: Nowadays economical criteria lead to early maternal hospital discharge, even before 48 hours after labor, producing an increase in neonatal readmissions for hyperbilirubinemia. We tried to predict the healthy term newborns that may develop a significant hyperbilirubinemia (> or = 17 mg/dl in the first 4 days of life). METHODS: Bilirubin in umbilical cord blood, transcutaneous measurements of bilirubin at 24, 48 and between 60 and 96 hours of life and bilirubin in blood obtained from heel-sticks at 96 hours was analyzed in 610 newborns. Moreover, serum bilirubin was determined at the same time-points in 169 newborns submitted to blood extractions for different reasons. The transcutaneous bilirubinometer used was a Minolta/Air-Shields JM-102. RESULTS: A significant hyperbilirubinemia was present in 2.95% of the newborns. The correlation between serum and transcutaneous bilirubin was high (r = 0.92; p < 0.0001). Umbilical cord blood bilirubin with a cut-off point of 2.2 mg/dl was not an useful predictor of neonatal jaundice. At 24 and 48 hours of life serum bilirubin levels > or = 6 mg/dl and > or = 9 mg/dl, respectively, predicted a subsequent hyperbilirubinemia with a sensitivity of 100% at both time-points, specificity of 47.5% and 64.3%, positive predictive value of 7.3% and 16.4%, respectively, and a negative predictive value of 100% for both. Transcutaneous measurement at 48 hours with a cut-off point of 13 (equivalent to a bilirubinemia of 9 mg/dl) predicts hyperbilirubinemia with a sensitivity of 94.4%, specificity of 51.7%, positive predictive value of 6.0% and negative predictive value of 99.6%. CONCLUSIONS: If the newborn presents a bilirubinemia > or = 6 mg/dl at 24 hours and > or = 9 mg/dl or a transcutaneous measurement > or = 13 at 48 hours a new bilirubin measurement must be performed between 48 and 72 hours of life.

[The intralymphatic administration of adoptive immunotherapy (LAK) in the treatment of patients with metastatic cancer and resistant to conventional therapies. Apropos 50 patients]. / Administración intralinfática de inmunoterapia adoptiva (LAK) en el tratamiento de enfermos de cáncer metastásico y resistentes a las terapéuticas convencionales. A propósito de 50 enfermos.

Between January 1990 to December 1993, we administered LAK immunotherapy using intralymphatic route to 50 patients with metastatic cancer resistant to conventional therapies. In the preparations of the immunotherapy, followed the technique described by Pizza G. et al. The age of our patients ranged between 50 to 75 years and their Karnosfsky's indexes were above 70%. The histological type of the metastasis was determined by cytology and the size by Rx, ECO and/or TAC before and after the administration of the immunotherapy. In the intralymphatic administration, we followed the technique described by Pizza G. et al. The immunological therapy was administrated on days 1, 21, 90 and 111 and the clinical responses were assessed by RC, RP, SD and F. The immunological behaviour of the host was assessed through the determination of lymphoid populations (CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5 and CD8) and natural killer cells were studied with monoclonal antibodies CD3 and CD16. Such immunological study was carried out before the administration of each immunotherapy series. In 12 out of 50 patients (24%), we were able to administer the four LAK series. Such patients were subsequently studied, observing that although tumoral lesions did not increase in size, they did not disappear and, thus, they were classified as clinical stables. Clinical and analytical toxicity were null. The immunological study showed changes in immunological parameters, however these changes were not statistically significant.

[Intralymphatic administration of adoptive (LAK) immunotherapy in the treatment of patients with metastatic cancer resistant to conventional therapies]. / Administración intralinfática de inmunoterapia adoptiva (LAK) en el tratamiento de enfermos afectos de cáncer metastásico y resistentes a las terapéuticas convencionales.

Between January, 1990 and May, 1991, we administered LAK immunotherapy using the intralymphatic route to 25 patients with metastatic cancer resistant to conventional therapies. In the preparation of the immunotherapy, we followed the technique described by Pizza G. et al. The age of our patients ranged between 50 and 75 years and their Karnofsky's indexes were above 70%. The histological type of the metastasis were determined by Rx, ECO and/or CAT before and after the administration of the immunotherapy. In the intralymphatic administration, we followed the technique described by Pizza G. et al. The immunological therapy was administered on days 1, 21, 90 and 111 and the clinical response was assessed by RC, RP, EE and F. The immunological behaviour of the host was assessed through the determination of lymphoid populations (CD2, CD4, CD5 and CD8) and cytolytic cells were studied with monoclonal antibodies CD and CD16. Such immunological study was carried out before the administration of each immunotherapy series. In 7 out of 25 patients (28%), we were able to administer the four LAK series. Such patients were subsequently studied, observing that, although tumoral lesions did not increase in size, they did not disappear and, thus, they were classified as clinically stable. Clinical and analytical toxicity was null. The immunological study did not show any statistically significant changes and the activity of cytotoxic cells (NK) was not modified.

[Influence of perinatal factors on the latter evolution of function of the nervous system in the low weight newborn infant (author's transl)]. / Influencia de los factores perinatales sobre la evolución ulterior de la función nerviosa en el recién nacido de bajo peso

Psychomotor follow up study of a group of low weight newborn infants, with ages in between seven months and three years. The most important perinatal data registered in the records of each baby were studied in relation with the neurological examination and electroencephalogram. The incidence of pathological perinatal factors were studied in relation with latter development, as well as with the group incidence of neuroevolutive and electroencephalogram abnormalities. The great interest of this type of study as well as the convenience of been undertaken by a real paediatrical and neurological team, so to be able to obtain best results, and improve our knowledges on this subject, remarking the importance of perinatal factors and the possible influence of these, on latter neurological maturation of the infant, as well as the ned of establishing a correct ethiological diagnosis of certain type of subnormalities and their prevention is commented.