A Retrospective, Observational Study on Antimicrobial Drug Use in Beef Fattening Operations in Northwestern Italy and Evaluation of Risk Factors Associated with Increased Antimicrobial Usage

The abuse or misuse of antimicrobials in animal production is thought to be a potential factor in the development of antimicrobial resistance in veterinary and human medicine. With this study, we wanted to quantify antimicrobial usage in beef fattening operations in northwestern Italy and to identify factors potentially influencing antimicrobial usage. The sample was composed of 26 beef fattening operations that import heifers and bulls from France. Data were extracted from the 2014 and 2015 treatment registers kept by the farmers. The mean (±SD) number of animal daily doses per animal (nADDa) per year for each farm was 3 (±2.1) during the study period (2014–2015). Group antimicrobial treatments (57.5% of all treatments) were often administered orally (70.5%) and consisted overwhelmingly of doxycycline (97%). Individual treatments (42.5% of all treatments) were administered parenterally (98.1%) and the most often used active substances were florfenicol (19.9%), marbofloxacin (19.5%), and tylosin (12.4%). There was a negative correlation between the nADDa for total and group treatments and average batch weight at arrival and between the amount of straw added per animal per day and the nADDa (p ≤ 0.05). Our data show that antimicrobials critical for human medicine were often used in beef fattening operations in northwestern Italy before the European guidelines for the prudent use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine were issued. Additionally, the use of antimicrobials as a preventive group treatment was still widespread, mostly in lighter weight animals.

A review of research-supported group treatments for drug use disorders

This paper reviews methodologically rigorous studies examining group treatments for interview-diagnosed drug use disorders. A total of 50 studies reporting on the efficacy of group drug use disorder treatments for adults met inclusion criteria. Studies examining group treatment for cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, opioid, mixed substance, and substance use disorder with co-occurring psychiatric conditions are discussed. The current review showed that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group therapy and contingency management (CM) groups appear to be more effective at reducing cocaine use than treatment as usual (TAU) groups. CM also appeared to be effective at reducing methamphetamine use relative to standard group treatment. Relapse prevention support groups, motivational interviewing, and social support groups were all effective at reducing marijuana use relative to a delayed treatment control. Group therapy or group CBT plus pharmacotherapy are more effective at decreasing opioid use than pharmacotherapy alone. An HIV harm reduction program has also been shown to be effective for reducing illicit opioid use. Effective treatments for mixed substance use disorder include group CBT, CM, and women’s recovery group. Behavioral skills group, group behavioral therapy plus CM, Seeking Safety, Dialectical behavior therapy groups, and CM were more effective at decreasing substance use and psychiatric symptoms relative to TAU, but group psychoeducation and group CBT were not. Given how often group formats are utilized to treat drug use disorders, the present review underscores the need to understand the extent to which evidence-based group therapies for drug use disorders are applied in treatment settings.

Forgiveness Interventions for Older Adults: A Review

A meta-analysis of the efficacy of forgiveness interventions in older adults was conducted. International databases (Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched for studies published from 1990 to 2020 that attempted to promote forgiveness in older adults. Most intervention studies are group treatments targeted towards community-dwelling older adults. Participants in these studies are mainly women. The intervention objectives and contents vary widely and often criteria are not well-defined. Participants that received forgiveness interventions reported significantly higher levels of forgiveness than participants that did not receive treatment. Additionally, forgiveness interventions resulted in more changes in depression, stress and anger than no intervention conditions. Forgiveness treatment also enhances positive states (satisfaction with life, subjective happiness, and psychological wellbeing). The reported effects are moderate. The specific treatment model (e.g., Enright’s, Worthington’s) and format (e.g., group-based interventions and individually delivered programs) do not differentially predict better outcomes. In conclusion, future intervention studies should include more male participants and utilize a broader range of follow-up periods. Caution must be exercised because of the limited number of studies developed to date; researchers must be cautious when generalizing the results.

The Effect of Turmeric Extract (Curcuma longa l.) As a Potential Anthelmintic on Reducing Endoparasites in Naturally-Infected Sheep

ABSTRACT. Turmeric extract (Curcuma longa L.) has the potential to be a natural anthelmintic and alternative to commercial deworming drugs for naturally-infected local sheep. A completely randomized design was used to compare the effect of 5 different oral treatments of turmeric extract tablets at 0 (TET-0), 200 mg (TET-200), 400 mg (TET-400), 800 mg (TET-800), and commercial Oxfendazole 225mg (Oxfen-225) on reducing endoparasites (fecal egg counts, FEC) of naturally-infected local yearling ewes at day-0 (before treatments), day-7, day-14, and day-21 (after treatments) using 4 replicates (n = 4). At day-0, all experimental ewes were naturally infected by FEC Strongyles nematode ranging from 85.0 ± 32.8 to 638 ± 230 eggs/g. Meanwhile, FEC Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomum spp. (Trematode), Monieza spp. (Cestode), dan Eimeria spp. (coccidia) were found a little in a small number of ewes. Therefore, further analysis focused on FEC Strongyles. On day-7, only Oxfen-225 and TET-800 treatments reduced (P0.05) FEC Strongyles by 100% and 64%, respectively. There was no difference (P0.05) in the increased or reduced percentages of FEC Strongyles infections among group treatments during day-14 and day-21 although only Oxfen-225 treatment showed a constant decrease. It seems that orally administering turmeric extract tablet at 800 mg have the potential to reduce FEC Strongyles in sheep by 64% although its anthelmintic potential is still weaker than commercial oxfendazole 225 mg. (Pengaruh Ekstrak Kunyit (Curcuma longa L.) sebagai Antelmintik terhadap Penurunan Endoparasit pada Domba yang Terinfeksi secara Alami) ABSTRAK. Ekstrak kunyit (Curcuma longa L.) mempunyai potensi sebagai antelmintik alami pengganti obat cacing komersial pada domba lokal yang terinfeksi cacing. Rancangan acak lengkap digunakan untuk membandingkan pengaruh 5 perbedaan perlakuan ekstrak kunyit dalam bentuk tablet dengan dosis: 0 (TET-0), 200 mg (TET-200), 400 mg (TET-400), 800 mg (TET-800), dan Oxfendazole komersil 225mg (Oxfen-225) terhadap penurunan jumlah telur cacing pada feses (Fecal egg counts, FEC) domba betina muda yang terinfeksi cacing secara alami pada hari ke-0 (sebelum perlakuan), hari ke-7, hari ke-14, dan hari ke-21 setelah perlakuan menggunakan 4 ulangan (n = 4). Pada hari ke-0, semua domba eksperimen terinfeksi secara alami oleh nematoda Strongyles sebanyak 85.0 ± 32.8 sampai 638 ± 230 telur/gram feses. Sedangkan FEC Fasciola spp. dan Paramphistomum spp. (Trematoda), Monieza spp. (Cestoda), dan Eimeria spp. (Koksidia) hanya ada di beberapa domba saja dalam jumlah yang sedikit. Sehingga Analisa selanjutnya difokuskan kepada FEC Strongyles. Pada hari ke-7, hanya perlakuan Oxfen-225 dan Cur-800 yang dapat mengurangi (P0.05) persentase FEC Strongyles sebanyak 100% dan 64%, secara berurutan. Tidak ada perbedaan (P0.05) pada peningkatan atau penurunan persentase FEC Strongyles pada semua perlakuan selama hari ke-14 dan hari ke-21 walaupun perlakuan Oxfen-225 memperlihatkan pengurangan persentase FEC Strongyles secara konstan. Ekstrak kunyit dalam bentuk tablet pada dosis 800 mg mempunyai potensi menurunkan infeksi FEC Strongyles sekitar 64% pada minggu pertama, tetapi kemampuan antiparasitiknya masih di bawah oxfendazole 225 mg.

The Use of Antimicrobials in Italian Heavy Pig Fattening Farms

Data on antimicrobial use (AMU) in heavy pig production (>150 kg) are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the AMU in this production. Data from 2015 were collected for 143 fattening farms. The AMU was estimated through a treatment index per 100 days (TI100) using the defined daily dose animal for Italy (DDDAit). When possible, a comparison with the European Medicines Agency’s defined daily doses for animals (DDDvet) was performed. The median TI100 was 10.7 (range, 0.2–49.5). Group treatments represented 94.6% of overall consumption. The AMU calculated using DDDAit and DDDvet were strongly correlated (ρ = 0.976; p < 0.001). The AMU was negatively correlated with injectables use (ρ = −0.46, p < 0.001) and positively correlated with oral products (ρ = 0.21, p = 0.014), premixes (ρ = 0.26, p = 0.002), and mortality (ρ = 0.18; p = 0.027). Farm size was negatively correlated with AMU (ρ = −0.29, p < 0.001). Smaller farms were more frequently above the median TI100 (odds ratio = 2.3, 95% confidence interval = 1.2–4.7), suggesting that they may have lower biosecurity and management standards. The results of this study should provide useful insights for the development of an Italian monitoring system.

IN VITRO AND FIELD PERFORMANCE OF SOME SEED TREATING FUNGICIDAL GROUPS ON GERMINATION, DISEASE INCIDENCE AND YIELD CONTRIBUTING CHARACTERS OF CHICKPEA (BARI Chola-10)

Low productivity of chickpea in Bangladesh is obtained due to different disease incidence and seed treatment by fungicides can minimize the disease severity. A laboratory and field experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jashore, Bangladesh to evaluate the effect of some seed treating fungicidal groups on germination, soil-borne as well as seed-borne disease incidence and yield contributing characters of chickpea (BARI Chola-10). In laboratory the experiment was conducted in CR design and in field condition the experiment was conducted in RCB design with three replications in both conditions. Five fungicides namely Provax 200 WP (Carboxin +Thiram), Secure 600 WG (Fenamidone + Mancozeb), Rovral 50 WP (Iprodione), Bavistin 50 WP (Carbendazim), Captan 50 WP along with control was maintained as experimental treatment. The fungicidal group treatments showed significant variation among the parameters except days to mature. The highest germination (92%), plumule length (31.22 mm), radicle length (12.26 mm), Vigor index (4015.5), Percent disease reduction over control (84%), plant height (63.67 cm), plants m- 2 (31), pods plant-1 (81), grain yield (2062.7 kg ha-1) and the lowest days to 50 % flowering (65), disease incidence (3.33%) was found when seeds were treated with fungicide Provax 200 WP (Carboxin +Thiram). To reduce the soil-borne as well as seed-borne disease incidence and to increase grain yield of chickpea, seed treatment with provax 200 WP should be followed.

PENGARUH PERMAINAN CROSSWORD PUZZLE TERHADAP MOTIVASI DAN HASIL BELAJAR PESERTA DIDIK SD IT HARAPAN UMAT PURBALINGGA

This research purpose to knowing affected of: 1) crosswords puzzle learning to learn motivation at third class in Harapan Umat Elementary School IT Purbalingga, 2) crosswords puzzle learning to learn result in third class. The research method was an experiment, with two group treatments that were the control group and experiment group. Group control was 3C class and the experiment group was 3F class. Data using in this research were primary and secondary data. And then data be analyzed by the Independent Sample t-test. Result of the research has shown: 1) crosswords puzzle learning significant affected to learning motivation at third class in Harapan Umat Elementary School IT Purbalingga; and 2) crosswords puzzle learning affected to learning result at third class