Influence of garlic extract on larval performance and survival of juvenile angelfish Pterophyllum scalare during transport

The objective of this study was to evaluate the properties of garlic as a growth promoter in larvae of angelfish Pterophyllum scalare and its benefits during transport of juveniles of this species. The experiment was conducted in recirculation aquaculture system, consisting of 20 tanks of 40 L equipped with independent water input and output. We used 1,400 larvae distributed among five treatments, with four repetitions, which totaled 20 experimental units. The treatments were 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg of garlic extract per kilo of feed. The results showed that the inclusion of levels of garlic extract in the feed did not significantly effect the fish’s development or their transport. Neither did the inclusion of levels of garlic extract affect the survival of the larvae during the trial period. New research with extracts of higher dosages should be performed to elucidate the effect of garlic extract as a growth promoter.

THE TASKS OF A PROBATION OFFICER RELATED TO THE MONITORING OF PERFORMANCE OF PROBATIONAL OBLIGATIONS DURING THE TRIAL PERIOD IN “O” CASES

The tasks of the probation officer who execute judgments in criminal matters, resulting from the Executive Penal Code, include, inter alia, control of the execution by the convict of probation duties imposed by a court judgment. Their aim is to educate and prevent the return to crime. In connection with the supervision of the performance of duties during the trial period without adjudicated supervision, probation officers have a number of tasks that are discussed in this article. It also addresses issues raised by probation officers in the scope in which the implementing provisions do not directly specify the obligations of this professional group.

Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Fecal Amino Acids Excretion and Apparent Digestibility, and Fecal and Ileal Microbial Amino Acids Composition in Weaned Piglets

Background and Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of low protein diets with the same Lys, Met + Cys, Thr, and Trp levels as in high protein diets on the fecal amino acid excretion and apparent digestibility, and ileal and fecal microbial amino acids composition in weaned piglets.Methods: Fifty-four 21-day-old Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weaned piglets were randomly divided into three groups and fed with corn-soybean meal basal diets, in which the crude protein (CP) content was 20% (H-CP), 17% (M-CP), and 14% (L-CP), respectively. The experiment included a 7-day adaptation period and a 45-day trial period. Six piglets in each group were randomly slaughtered on days 10, 25, and 45 of the trial period, and the intestinal contents, intestinal mucosa, and feces were collected.Results: The results showed that the interaction between feeding time and dietary CP levels was reflected in the apparent digestibility of dietary CP and amino acid (AA) (p < 0.01). With the increase of age, the apparent digestibility of CP and AA were increased (p < 0.01). With the increase of CP levels, the excretion of nitrogen (N) was decreased (p < 0.01), whereas the flow of microbial AA in the ileum and feces were increased (p < 0.01). The interaction between feeding time and dietary CP levels was also reflected in the composition of AA in the ileum and stool of piglets (p < 0.01). The proportion of His, Lyr, Met, Cys, and Ser was lower than the average, whereas the proportion of Phe, Leu, Pro, Ala, Glu, and Asp was higher than the average. With the increase of age, the AA content of microorganisms increased (p < 0.01).Conclusion: All in all, this work revealed the changes of N, CP, and AA excretion and digestibility of feces and microorganisms of piglets under the combined action of different dietary protein levels and different feeding times, and also the changes of AA composition of intestinal microorganisms and AA composition of microorganisms.

Cost-effectiveness of a Transdiagnostic Psychotherapy Program for Youth With Common Mental Health Problems

Objectives: Our objective was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the transdiagnostic psychotherapy program Mind My Mind (MMM) for youth with common mental health problems using a cost-utility analysis (CUA) framework and data from a randomized controlled trial. Furthermore, we analyzed the impact of choice of informant with respect to both quality-of-life reporting and preference weights on the Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER). Methods: A total of 396 school-aged youth took part in the 6-month trial. CUAs were carried out for the trial-period and for four one-year extrapolation scenarios. Costs were based on a combination of budget and self-reported costs. Youths and parents were asked to report on the youth’s quality-of-life three times during the trial using the Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D). Parental-reported CHU9D was used in the base case together with preference weights of a youth population. Analyses using self-reported CHU9D and preference weights of an adult population were also carried out. Results: The analysis of the trial period resulted in an ICER of €170,465. The analyses of the one-year scenarios resulted in ICERs between €23,653 and €50,480. The ICER increased by 24% and 71% compared to the base case when using self-reported CHU9D and adult preference weights, respectively. Conclusion: The MMM intervention has the potential to be cost-effective, but the ICER is dependent on the duration of the treatment effects. Results varied significantly with the choice of respondent and the choice of preference weights indicating that both factors should be considered when assessing CUA involving youth.

Review of available data for the efficacy and effectiveness of nabiximols oromucosal spray (Sativex) in multiple sclerosis patients with moderate to severe spasticity

Background: Sativex (USAN: nabiximols) oromucosal spray is indicated for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with moderate to severe spasticity and inadequate response to other antispasticity medications who demonstrate clinically significant improvement during an initial trial of therapy. This narrative review investigated the efficacy and effectiveness of nabiximols oromucosal spray for moderate to severe MS spasticity by examining spasticity 010 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) data from interventional and observational studies which featured a 4-week trial period as per the European Union approved label. Summary: Across both study types, clinically relevant and statistically significant reductions in mean MS spasticity 0–10 NRS scores were measured soon after treatment start and were maintained in the mid to long term in treatment responders. Initial responder rates (≥ 20% NRS improvement from baseline at week 4) ranged from 47.6% to 81.4%, tending lower in the randomized clinical trials setting. Clinically relevant responder rates (≥ 30% NRS improvement from baseline at week 12) were similar between study types (range 3041%) except for one outlier (74% in an observational study). Two open studies reported treatment continuation for ≥ 18 months in approximately half of patients who initiated treatment. In most longer-term studies, symptomatic improvement in MS spasticity was maintained at mean daily dosages of about 67 sprays/day. Safety was consistent with the known profile of nabiximols. Key messages: Experimental and observational studies of nabiximols oromucosal spray recorded similar findings. About half to two-thirds of MS patients who begin treatment will perceive initial symptomatic relief of spasticity within the 4-week trial period. About 40% of patients who initiate treatment will reach the ≥ 30% NRS improvement threshold at 3 months, comprising the majority of patients who continue long-term treatment. A trial of therapy with nabiximols is useful to identify patients most likely to gain longer-term improvement in spasticity symptoms and discontinue those with insufficient benefit.

Short-term outcomes of cochlear implantation for single-sided deafness compared to bone conduction devices and contralateral routing of sound hearing aids—Results of a Randomised controlled trial (CINGLE-trial)

Single-sided deafness (SSD) leads to difficulties with speech perception in noise, sound localisation, and sometimes tinnitus. Current treatments (Contralateral Routing of Sound hearing aids (CROS) and Bone Conduction Devices (BCD)) do not sufficiently overcome these problems. Cochlear implants (CIs) may help. Our aim was to evaluate these treatments in a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT). Adult SSD patients were randomised using a web-based randomisation tool into one of three groups: CI; trial period of ‘first BCD, then CROS’; trial period of ‘first CROS, then BCD’. After these trial periods, patients opted for BCD, CROS, or No treatment. The primary outcome was speech perception in noise (directed from the front (S0N0)). Secondary outcomes were speech perception in noise with speech directed to the poor ear and noise to the better ear (SpeNbe) and vice versa (SbeNpe), sound localisation, tinnitus burden, and disease-specific quality of life (QoL). We described results at baseline (unaided situation) and 3 and 6 months after device activation. 120 patients were randomised. Seven patients did not receive the allocated intervention. The number of patients per group after allocation was: CI (n = 28), BCD (n = 25), CROS (n = 34), and No treatment (n = 26). In S0N0, the CI group performed significantly better when compared to baseline, and when compared to the other groups. In SpeNbe, there was an advantage for all treatment groups compared to baseline. However, in SbeNpe, BCD and CROS groups performed worse compared to baseline, whereas the CI group improved. Only in the CI group sound localisation improved and tinnitus burden decreased. In general, all treatment groups improved on disease-specific QoL compared to baseline. This RCT demonstrates that cochlear implantation for SSD leads to improved speech perception in noise, sound localisation, tinnitus burden, and QoL after 3 and 6 months of follow-up. For most outcome measures, CI outperformed BCD and CROS. Trial registration: Netherlands Trial Register (www.trialregister.nl): NTR4580, CINGLE-trial.

Investigating Real-World Benefits of High-Frequency Gain in Bone-Anchored Users with Ecological Momentary Assessment and Real-Time Data Logging

Purpose: To compare listening ability (speech reception thresholds) and real-life listening experience in users with a percutaneous bone conduction device (BCD) with two listening programs differing only in high-frequency gain. In situ real-life experiences were recorded with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) techniques combined with real-time acoustical data logging and standard retrospective questionnaires. Methods: Nineteen experienced BCD users participated in this study. They all used a Ponto 4 BCD from Oticon Medical during a 4-week trial period. Environmental data and device parameters (i.e., device usage and volume control) were logged in real-time on an iPhone via a custom iOS research app. At the end of the trial period, subjects filled in APHAB, SSQ, and preference questionnaires. Listening abilities with the two programs were evaluated with speech reception threshold tests. Results: The APHAB and SSQ questionnaires did not reveal any differences between the two listening programs. The EMAs revealed group-level effects, indicating that in speech and noisy listening environments, subjects preferred the default listening program, and found the program with additional high-frequency gain too loud. This finding was corroborated by the volume log—subjects avoided the higher volume control setting and reacted more to changes in environmental sound pressure levels when using the high-frequency gain program. Finally, day-to-day changes in EMAs revealed acclimatization effects in the listening experience for ratings of “sound quality” and “program suitability” of the BCD, but not for ratings of “loudness perception” and “speech understanding”. The acclimatization effect did not differ among the listening programs. Conclusion: Adding custom high-frequency amplification to the BCD target-gain prescription improves speech reception in laboratory tests under quiet conditions, but results in poorer real-life listening experiences due to loudness.

Time-course Alterations of Gut Microbiota and Short-chain Fatty Acids After Short-term Lincomycin Exposure in Young Swine

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that antibiotic administration causes gut injury, nutrient digestion, immune regulation, and colonization resistance against pathogens due to the disruption of gut microbiota. However, the time-course effects of therapeutic antibiotics on alterations of gut microbes and short-chain fatty acid in young swine are still unknown. In this study, twenty piglets were assigned into two groups and fed commercial diets with or without lincomycin in the first week for a 28-day trial period. Results: Data showed that one-week lincomycin exposure did reduce the body weight on day 14 (p = 0.0450) and 28 (p = 0.0362). The alpha-diversity notably reduced after one-week lincomycin treatment, then gradually raised and reached the control group level in the second week on cessation of lincomycin exposure, indicated by the variation of Sobs, Chao, Shannon, and ACE index (p < 0.05). Beta-diversity analysis revealed that the distinct microbial cluster existed persistently for the whole trial period between two groups (p < 0.001). The relative abundance of most microbes including fiber-degrading (e.g., Agathobacter, Coprococcus, etc.), beneficial (e.g., Lactobacillus, Mitsuokella, etc.), or pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Terrisporobacter, Lachnoclostridium, etc.) decreased and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids also diminished in the feces of one-week lincomycin-administrated young swine (LDA score > 3). After the lincomycin administration stopped, the state of gut dysbiosis gradually recovered and formed new gut-microbe homeostasis distinct from microbial homeostasis of young pigs unexposed to lincomycin. The increased presence of potential pathogens, such as Terrisporobacter, Negativibacillus, Escherichia-Shigella, etc. and decreased beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Agathobacter were observed in new homeostasis reshaped by short-lincomycin administration (LDA score > 3 or p < 0.05), adversely affecting gut development and health of young pigs. Conclusion: Collectively, these results suggested that severe disruption of the commensal microbiota occurred after short-term lincomycin exposure or termination of lincomycin exposure in young swine. Our study depicts the change rule of gut microbiota in young animals under the condition of short-term lincomycin treatment, providing basic data for evaluating the harmful impact on gut microbe of young animals.

Rapid antigen testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection in a university setting in Ireland: learning from a 6-week pilot study.

Objectives With the ongoing circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in countries across the world it is essential to identify effective ways to reduce the risk of infection while allowing society to function as close to normal as possible. Serial testing using rapid lateral flow antigen tests is a possible way to do this by screening populations in a targeted way, identifying infectious (both symptomatic and asymptomatic) people and removing them from circulation while infectious. To make rapid antigen testing effective, high levels of participation are important. This study was designed to evaluate the establishment of a testing programme in a university setting and assess some of the factors that impact participation in such a study among both staff and students. Study Design Observational, survey Methods A trial period of SARS-CoV-2 rapid testing using the Abbott Panbio rapid antigen test was set up and staff and students based in the University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital were asked to take part voluntarily for 6 weeks. Following the trial period, we used a questionnaire to evaluate satisfaction and to understand some reasons behind participation or lack thereof. Results Overall, almost all respondents to the survey stated that they were happy with having a testing programme present in the workplace and it helped to reduce anxiety associated with COVID-19. Findings indicated that staff and students did not participate equally in the voluntary testing programme. The findings also highlighted that intrinsic motivations and extrinsic motivations for participation differ. For example, participation among staff was much higher than among students, motivational messaging focused on protecting others did not resonate with students as much as staff, convenience was a key factor driving participation in both cohorts and the pressure of being forced to miss class (if positive) close to exam time provided motivation to students to avoid testing. Conclusions Introducing antigen testing into a workplace helped to reduce overall anxiety associated with the potential impact of COVID-19, but achieving good participation was challenging. Participation is key to a successful, campus wide antigen testing programme but reaching high levels of participation is not straightforward and can not be taken for granted. Different motivations drive participation in different cohorts and different messaging/incentivisation is needed to encourage participation in those different cohorts. The findings reported here should inform any SARS-CoV-2 testing programme that will run in these types of settings in the future.

SUBSTITUTION OF SOYBEAN MEAL WITH LOCAL PRODUCED LEGUME FORAGES IN EWES RATIONS

Nutrition of intensive sheep farming in Greece is based mainly on feeding forages and concentrates in the stable, while grazing is provided in a low extend. Feeding cost is the major cost factor and from the protein supplementation side is based on alfalfa hay and soybean meal. The aim of the study was to investigate the substitution of soybean meal with local produced legumes forages. Thirty ewes of the “Karagouniko” breed were split in three groups of ten animals each. In the first group (control group), nutrition was based on alfalfa hay and soybean meal. In the second group, alfalfa hay and soybean meal were entirely substituted with vetch hay. In the third group, alfalfa hay was completely substituted with peas hay and the soybean meal inclusion was increased. Body weight was measured in the beginning and at the end of the trial period. Feed consumption and milk production were recorded daily and milk quality was analyzed weekly. No significant differences were found for all the parameters mentioned. Substitution of imported soybean meal with locally produced legumes is possible and will be an advantage in the differentiation of Greek sheep milk. The economic analysis showed that in farm, the cultivation of vetch and pea hay is more preferable than alfalfa.